Session #60 · 1907–09

Speech #600071615

I repeat the statement that practically every naturalized citizen is called before the superintendent of elections. a Republican official. appointed by a Republican governor. and at times his papers are taken from him and withheld until this official satisfies himself that there was no fraud in the issuance of the papers. The citizen is examined. Under the law he is compelled to reply to whatever questions are put to him. I know. and the gentleman knows. that there have been grave doubts as to the constitutionality of the act under which this superintendent acts. But it is a fact that it is not possible now. If your officials properly enforce that law. for any man to pretend to be a naturalized citizen and vote illegally in the State of New York in any election. What a farce it is. with only 228 denials in New York since that law has been in effect. to say that $200.000 is not sufficient for the work. My colleague states that he sat in court and saw a man rejected because. when asked which officials in the city of New York were elected. he replied "the policemen and firemen." I know the Republican judges who occupy places in the Federal courts in New York. and I have confidence in their competency.
Keywords matched
naturalized

Classification

Target group
Sentiment
Neutral
Stereotyping
No
Confidence
100%
Model
gemini-2.0-flash
Framing
Legal / procedural

Speaker & context

Speaker
JOHN FITZGERALD
Party
D
Chamber
H
State
NY
Gender
M
Date
Speech ID
600071615
Paragraph
#0
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