Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-22
cHUEoH TELLS OF

NATURALIZATION EXPERIENCES
 Allan F. Church of Boston, United States naturalization examiner, who comes to the superior court clerks office in Norwich to examine candidates for citizenship, gave an interesting talk to the summer school students at Yale uni versity in New Haven few days ago in which he told of his work and related some amusing experiences and answers to questions propounded to the apph cants.
 MT. Church said in part:
 "In this city several years ago peti tioner in the United States district court, then located in the old postofiice building on Church street, was asked Who makes the laws for the United States" He an swered correctly, Congress- Where does congress meet?' Again he answered correctly, In the capitol But his reply to the question Where is the capitol? caused the bailiff to rap for orGer. He replied Next door to Polls theatre, across the street."
 This was one of the amusing interludcs that frightened the speech of Allan F. Church of Boston, for oyer 21 years a federal official and now New England naturalization examiner for the Connec- ticut district, in speaking to the summer l schools at Yale university.
  During the presidential campaign of 1908 I had the honor to represent the government at a naturalization hearing before the United States district court for the southern district of Illinois, at Springfield A petitioner was being questioned on government and he took one end of the following dialogue: Q. Who are the candidates for presi- dent this fall?
 A. Mir Taffey and Mir. O'Brien.
 Q. What do you think of Mir. Taft? A. o, he fne-a man, nice-a man. he make-a good-a president, too.
 l Here the judge interposed a question Who has the best show"-and before the judge could finish ''of being elected ?'' Tony had glimpsed that he was on fa- miliar ground at last, and fairly shouted ! "Barnum & Bailey
 Showing that though an alien and liv- 1 ing in distant state, he was neverthe- 1 less appreciative of one of the many good 1 things that claim the glorious Nutmeg i State as their home.
 l It pays to advertise!
 T sometimes doubt the expediency of l soliciting or urging our alien peoples to apply for citizenship" continued MT Church in moro serious vein.
 1 ''The field of Americanization is broad 1 enough III DcCOIIiHS dCQudluleOt MllH
 caring for and educating the alien and gaining his confidence, and later when
 the time is ripe he will exercise the ] initiative and seek citizenship, instead oi being urged into the step before he is | fitted for it.'
 Continuing, MT. Church said:
 l Naturalization is the casting off ol entire relinquishnent of the allegiance tC
 which one is born, or which has beer
 subsequently acquired, and the repledg ing of ones self to a new loyalty It is ! not in any sense purchaseable or r:ght which an alien may demand. nor does tht
 payment of fee for the clerical worl
 incident to the filing of petition create any vested right of citizenship. It is z
 favor which must be desired and sought
 and which the courts may or may no grant, depending upoE the qualifications of the petitioner. his character andd in 1 telligence. The obligations ef citizenship are mutual; on the one side the govern nent confers protection on the citizen ii this or foreign lands, the right to vot' and take part in the affairs of govern ment, freedom in his home life, libert! and the pursuit of happiness. On tn, other hand, the prospective citizen should
 be familiar with the English languag
 that he may read the newspapers ant
 keep abreast of current events, that h
 may read his ballot and vote intelligent
 ly, and in general discharge the duties 0
 citizenship. In this state, Connecticut a
 well as in Massachusetts. the ability t
 read the English language intelfgentl
 is a prerequisite to being placed upon tn
 voting list. I regret that this is not re
 euired in all states. The prospectiv citizen should also be sufficiently we'll in
 formed and intelligent that he may serv
 on jury. The countrys interests mus be his interests, he must be with us an , for us at all times and in all places, n dual allegiance or hyphenated American | ism, but steadfast will to support tn country, it's government and it's institu tions whenever threatened by enemie: without or within. even at the sacrifc
 of time, wealth or life itself"