Number of Actions Filed from June 16, 1906, to June 30, 1907. 2.243 6,763 8,720 The present naturalization law was adopted by the Congress of the United States of America and approved by His Excellency the President. The law became effective September 27, 1906. The enforcement of the law is under the direction of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization. The law invests certain courts with authority to naturalize aliens, among the courts specified is our Superior Court, of which the County Clerk is exofficio Clerk thereof. In all naturalization matters under the provisions of said law, and in the rules and regulations of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization, the Clerk of the Court exercising jurisdiction in naturalization matters has imposed upon him a great many important duties, each and all of which carry with them very grave responsibilities. If the Clerk makes the slightest error, or violates any of the provisions of the law, or the rules of the Department, he is liable to fine or imprisonment, or both. When the laws became effective I was advised by eminent counsel that I had authority to act in naturalization matters, and therefore established the Department of Pension and Naturalization in my office and gave it my close personal attention. I found that this department was a great convenience to the thousands of pensioners who come to the office to have their vouchers verified and sworn to; it also enabled thousands of our naturalized citizens to have their naturalization records restored, said record having been destroyed in the fire of April, 1906. In the matter of new naturalization, the law provides that the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization, shall furnish the Clark with all books, blanks, etc. It also provides that certain fees shall be charged petitioners for naturalization, etc., half of said fees to be forwarded quarterly to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and the other half to be retained by the Clerk acting as the agent of the Federal Government in naturalization matters. The fees received in these matters is in no way commensurate with the services rendered, or the responsibilities or liabilities imposed, but I have discharged these duties on the advice of the Judges of the Court, who are acting in these matters, for the reason that it would give our residents who are not citizens an opportunity to file a petition for naturalization. In reference to my authority to act in naturalization matters, His Honor, Mayor Taylor, and I discussed the question, and we agreed to submit the matter to Hon. Percy V. Long, City Attorney. Judge Long agreed to give an opinion on the question, but advised that the entire question be sub.uitted to the Courts for adjudication, which procedure has been followed, and the matter is now before the Courts. FROM THE REPORT OF WILLIAM DOLGE Certified Public Accountant, Expert for the Finance Committee, Under the Act of June 29, 1906 (U. S. Statutes 1905-6, Part 1, Page 596), all proceedings in naturalization are taken over by the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization of the Department of Commerce and Labor. The County Clerk of San Francisco, ex officio Clerk of the Superior Court, acts as the representative of the Division of Naturalization for the Federal Government. For the filing of declarations of intention and petitions for naturalization and the recording and accounting thereof, the Division of Naturalization of the Department of Commerce and Labor has provided a comprehensive procedure which is properly observed by the County Clerk. Number of Persons (Insane) Discharged from State Hospital The present naturalization law was adopted by the Congress of the United States of America and approved by His Excellency the President. The law became effective September 27, 1906. The enforcement of the law is under the direction of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization. The law invests certain courts with authority to naturalize aliens, among the courts specified is our Superior Court, of which the County Clerk is exofficio Clerk thereof. In all naturalization matters under the provisions of said law, and in the rules and regulations of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization, the Clerk of the Court exercising jurisdiction in naturalization matters has imposed upon him a great many important duties, each and all of which carry with them very grave responsibilities. If the Clerk makes the slightest error, or violates any of the provisions of the law, or the rules of the Department, he is liable to fine or imprisonment, or both. When the laws became effective I was advised by eminent counsel that I had authority to act in naturalization matters, and therefore established the Department of Pension and Naturalization in my office and gave it my close personal attention. I found that this department was a great convenience to the thousands of pensioners who come to the office to have their vouchers verified and sworn to; it also enabled thousands of our naturalized citizens to have their naturalization records restored, said record having been destroyed in the fire of April, 1906. In the matter of new naturalization, the law provides that the Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Naturalization, shall furnish the Clerk with a books, blanks, etc. It also provides that certain fees shall be charged petitioners for naturalization, etc., half of said fees to be forwarded quarterly |