271 F. 326 | E.D. Mo. | 1921
The candidate, Frantisek Vasicek, during the final hearing on his petition for naturalization, testified that he did not know the meaning of the words “anarchy” or “polygamy.” Thereupon the government prayed the denial of his application. Pertinent portions of the petition filed in this cause by said candidate follow:
“I ¿m not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government. I am not a polygamist nor a believer of polygamy.”
The fourth subdivision of section 4 of the Act of June 29, 1906, 34 Stat. 596 (Comp. St. § 4352), prescribes that before admitting any alien to citizenship the court concerned shall be satisfied the candidate is in truth and in fact “attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and ' happiness of the same.” It is self-evident from the candidate’s own testimony that that portion of his petition in which he solemnly declares he is not an anarchist or polygamist, etc., is meaningless to him. ■ The question is accordingly at once raised: What does the Naturalization Act require of an applicant in the way of proof of the averments contained in his petition?
While Congress, in dealing with the naturalization problem, recognized it to be impolitic to perpetuate the character of alien longer than was absolutely necessary, the law-making body still recognized that a reasonable probationary term should be prescribed to enable candidates to get rid of foreign and to acquire American attachments, to learn the principles and imbibe the spirit of our government, and to admit of a probability, at least, of their feeling a real interest in our * affairs. A residence of not less than five years was, therefore, required of an alien before he might petition for citizenship, this to conciliate the feelings of the candidate to the manners, laws, and government of this country.
The petition for naturalization of the candidate will accordingly be denied.