Fraud, Fraud, Fraud! by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Sep 27, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 39.

Fraud, Fraud, Fraud!

By Editor

Fraud, Fraud, Fraud!—It seems to be in the very air in these days of corruption—these "last days." And one peculiarity of it is, that it depends so much on the principle of confederacy, or unionism—trustism—for its success. Now it crops out in the matter of naturalization of foreigners. It is said that a quarter million of fraudulently-naturalized voters are in the United States, and investigation has discovered that fraudulent citizenship is offered as a premium to immigrants from Southern Europe. This is for the double purpose of getting laborers and voters that can be easily manipulated. But other evils grow out of such conditions. These men are quick to learn and to take advantage of the confederation schemes now so prevalent in this country. One result of this evil is noted in the San Francisco Call of the 7th inst.:

San Francisco is not the only American seaport in which Americans have been crowded out of seagoing by the fraudulent naturalization of foreigners. There has been much discussion of the scarcity of Americans in the responsible and licensed positions in our merchant marine. Ship masters and mates, engineers and other officers on ships must have the license of the Federal Government in order to follow their calling. By a system of fraudulent naturalization these licenses have been obtained. Those who hold them are quick to join certain affiliated organizations where they have the power to outlaw non-members, Americans who are rightfully licensed, by preventing their employment. The system is worked for all that it is worth, and it is worth, to those who work it, every licensed place in the merchant marine. No wonder Americans are not found in responsible places on American ships. The matter is of more than usual interest because one of these aliens, caught red-handed holding a position with fraudulent papers, now presents himself to the court as an applicant for legal naturalization.

Yet the offense is a felony, and a United States official having discovered the extensive working of the system, it remains to be seen what will become of it. Will it be deemed only a part of the "system," and the individuals irresponsible?