is made up of Scandinavians, French, and every other nationality. Are the people generally educated? Of the native white population over ten years of age, 2 per cent are unable to read and write; of the foreign-born white population 13 per cent, of the colored population 18 per cent, and of the total population 5 per cent, are unable to read and write. How does New York compare with other States in this matter of illiteracy? Connecticut and twelve Western States have a lower rate of illiteracy. The average for the whole United States is 13 per cent. New York has a lower rate than any European country, except Scandinavia with its 3 per cent, and Germany with its 4 per cent of illiterates. May foreigners vote at elections in New York State? . Only after being naturalized. An alien seeking naturalization in the United States must, at least two years before his admission to citizenship, declare on oath before a Circuit or District Court of the United States, or a District or Supreme Court of the Territories, or a court of record of any of the States having common-law jurisdiction and a seal and a clerk, that it is his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance to any foreign State or ruler, and particularly to the one of which he is at the time a citizen or subject. At the time of his application for admission to citizenship he must also declare on oath before some one of the courts above specified that he will support the Constitution of the United States and that he absolutely and entirely renounces and abjures all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty, and particularly, by name, to the prince, potentate, State or sovereignty of which he was before a citizen or subject. Moreover, before his naturalization papers are given to him, it must appear to the satisfaction of the court to which the alien has applied for final admission that he has resided continuously within the United States for at least five years, and in the State or Territory where the court is held at least one year, and that during that time "he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same." Naturalization of Chinamen is prohibited. Can a foreign nobleman retain his title after naturalization in this country? If the applicant bears any hereditary title or belongs to any order of nobility, he must make an express renunciation at the time of his application. If a foreigner had served as a soldier in this country, could he become a naturalized citizen with less than five years' residence here? Any alien twenty-one years old and upward who has been honorably discharged from the armies of the United States may become a citizen on his petition without any previous declaration of intention, provided he has resided in the United States at least one year previous to his application and is of good moral character. What is the earliest age at which an alien may become naturalized, in case his father was not naturalized? Any alien who has resided in the United States three years next preceding his twenty first birthday, and has continued to reside therein up to the time he makes application to be admitted a citizen, may, after he arrives at the age of twenty-one, and after he has resided five years within the United States, including the three years of his minority, be admitted a citizen; but he must make a declaration on oath and prove to the satisfaction of the court that for the two years next preceding it has been his intention to become a citizen. What effect upon minor children has the naturalization of their father? The law declares that children of persons who have been duly naturalized, being under twenty-one at the time of the naturalization of their parents, shall, if dwelling in the United States, be considered as citizens. What is the nationality of citizens' children born abroad? The children of persons who are or have been citizens of the United States are considered as citizens, though they may be born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States. If naturalized citizens go abroad, can they rightly claim the protection of the United States? Section 2000 of the Revised Statutes of the United States expressly declares that "all naturalized citizens of the United States while in foreign countries are entitled to and shall receive from this Government the same protection of person and property which is accorded to native-born citizens." Does a naturalized citizen become an elector as soon as he is admitted to citizenship? The right to vote is conferred by the State, naturalization by the United States. In several States aliens who have declared their intentions enjoy the right to vote equally with naturalized or native-born citizens. But the Federal naturalization laws apply to the whole Union alike, and no alien may be naturalized until after five years' residence, except an honorably discharged soldier or a person whose parents have been naturalized while he was under twenty-one years of age, as above recited. Even after five years' residence and due naturalization he is not entitled to vote unless the laws of the State confer the privilege upon him, and in New York State he must have been a citizen |