(1492)
An Italian tailor living at West Hoboken, N. J., appeared before Judge Carey and made application for citizenship. He told the judge he had been in this country twenty-two years.
“Do you know who Abraham Lincoln was?” asked Judge Carey.
“No, I don’t know who he was.”
“You don’t know who Abraham Lincoln was?” repeated the judge.
“No; does he live in West Hoboken?” asked the applicant.
“He is dead,” said Judge Carey.
“Well, I never heard of him,” continued the Italian. “Was he a tailor?”
The judge advised him to go home and study up on history and geography, and said: “No man who does not know who Abraham Lincoln was is fit to enjoy the privilege of American citizenship.”