Had I not determined to present these facts without criticism and without comment. I should say that political history nowhere presents darker or more infamous pages than those wherein this testimony is recordedthe story of the shame and disgrace inflicted under color of Federal authority upon citizens of the sovereign State of New York. So far back as 1869 the question was raised as to the legality of naturalization papers issued during the preceding year in the city -of New York. The methods pursued in granting naturalization had been the same before all the judges. and were in every respect the methods which had obtained during ten years prior to 1868. and which were in fact followed down to 1874. A uniform kind of deposition was used alike in the various courts of the State having power to act in the matter. An index was kept by the clerk of the court granting naturalization. in which was made the various necessary entries: the name of the person naturalized. the country from whence he came. and the names and residences of his witnesses. The claim made so early as 1869 was that every naturalization paper issued from the supreme and superior courts of New York. with the exception of six. was illegal and void for the reason that no entry had been made by the clerks of the courts. in the formal court minutes. of the granting of the certificates. From time to time since 1869. upon occasions of elections. Commissioner Davenport had caused voters holding these 1868 certificates to be challenged at the polls. and had in some instances taken away their papers of naturalization. Ten years rolled by. Not an arrest was made and no effort was instituted to have the legality of these certificates tested.
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naturalized naturalization