New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-01-19

This feature was opposed with Cor
poration Counsel Cooper, leading the
objections to this phase. He said
that it should not be the idea of ac-
ton to make citizens of New Brit
ain but citizens of the United States
Attention was called to the time when
naturalization was within the juris-
dictiOn Of the local court and he con-
tended that it was not q success He
expressed the belief that much more
dignity is lent to the procedure if
carried on in a United States court.
He further said that being made a
citizen only happens once in a life
time for a person and the applicant
should be willing to undergo the ex-
pense and slight loss of time con-
nected with it. If necessary. it was
suggested by another that the city
help out in meeting the expense but
not try to give the power to the To-
cal court Judge Cooper called at
tention to the regulations re1a tive to
naturalization and said that it is pro-
vided that it can only be accomplished
in the higher courts He believed
that giving the local court limitless
jurisdiction to be only a subterfuge
for securing the naturalization priv
lISSSS anu lIi~dl IL NOulu not aQQ 10
the standing Of the court He OBJ
posed the idea of giving the local
court unlimited jurisdiction on the
court that it is not deserving of such
a stand. 1t would only be a subter-
fuge to get around the real facts,
he contended. If the court is to be
made of a superior standing, he said,
make the salary of the Judge, $500
year and give it other adjuncts in
keeping with the higher courts.
Mr.. Kehoe argued that, if arrange
ments can be made whereby people
can be naturalized in this city by the
loacl court, he favors the change At
tention was called to the present sys-
! tenn whereby applicants have to go
to Hartford three times to get their
papers, lose their pay for the time
gone and, oftentimes, have to pay
the expenses of two witnesses on two
| of the trips
Judge GafIney inquired Of Judge
Mesklll as to whether the local court
| ldcil'les are adequate to handle the
business that would come before the
! tribunal. If the limitless jurisdiction
! should be allowed. The latter cx
| pressed the belief that it has the ia
! cllltles. Judge Gaffney called at
| 'ehtlon TO the need Of q special set
! OF scales for Weighing and measur-
! ing in the naturalization PROCEEDINGS
! ana was Informed that the one now
! IN the deteC tive bureau of police
! headquarters can be used for this
, purpose. at least for a time. He also
/ said that he believes that there will
be expense saved if the proceedings
are staged in the local court 1t was
explained that people now have to
! take two witnesses to Hartford, lose
! their time and other expenses make
! a sizeable amount. Those fayoring
! the adoption of the recommendation
/ pointed out that it makes little diff
/ ference where the natura liza ton
, proceedings are staged, if the proper
! procedure is followed out
It was cOntended that by rem owing
! the limit Of the local court many of
| the cases now tried in the superior
! and common pleas court will be
heard in New Britain where the
cases come from this city or vicinity
The venue will depend upon the at
torneys. Privileges OF appeal are
provided for and extra expenses, in
case there is jury trial or stem
ographer or court officer is needed
| creased revenue Of the court.
Judge Cooper questioned the right
! of vesting in the city court the right
| of naturalization and doubted if the