Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-08-06

AMOS CoGSwE ELL, ........... Aurora CenVe
b. W. HoLLEY,. Chatneio.
G. B. HINsLEY,............. ManKato.
DELANo 7. SMITH,. minneapolis.
The Naturalization Laws Of South Car
olfna...TWO Years After Citizenship
Required Before Voting.
In the Pioneer and Democrat of July 18th,
occurred the following article
We published the other day the law of South
Carolina, regulating the right of suffrage. 1t
showed that naturalized foreigners were entitled
TO the rights in that State native born cit
liens, and that the assertion of Black Republican
presses and conventions to the contrary, was an
Infamous falsehood, coined to attract attention
from the proscriptive legislation of that party in
Massachusetts. In addition to the evidence We
presented, and it is unimpeachable, we find in the
Germdnid, Democratic German newspaper, pub
ished in Cleveland. Ohio, the following letter from
the Secretary of State of South Carolina
OFFICE srcRE rARY OF srAE,
COLUMBIA, 8. c., June II. 1859.
In answer to your letter of the 4th Of this month,
would state that foreigner under the present law
he has the oath Of allegiance, and receiv
entitled TO all the privileges Of nstiveborn citizen
There was law in this State ratified on the 26th Of
until be had been two years possession of bis citizen
ship; but this law Is repealed.
WILLIAM R. HUNT,
Deputy Secretary Of State.
The law spoken of as ratified in 1884, was re-
peGled when the present Constitution of South
Carolina was adopted in 1890 Since that time
that State has placed foreign and native citizens
equality. Will the Times, Ainnesotian, ST.
Anthony Nears Winona Republican, Rochester
Free Press, and other Republican journals make
the necessary correction, and thus relieve them
selves of the odum attaching to wlful slanderers.
As one of the presses appealed to, we
hasten, at the earliest moment our leisure
would permit, to make what the Pioneer calls
the necessary correction" in this matter of
South Carolina, Democratic State, having
set the example which Know Nothing Massa-
chusetts followed, of prescribing foreign born
citizens from the exercise of the elective fran
chise, for two years after their becoming "cit-
izens' by naturalization. The necessary
correction however, which we feel called
upon to make, will hardly comfort our friends
os the Pioneer very much. In the Charleston
Mercury of July 18th, the day after the above
article from the Pioneer appeared, the follow
ing article was published. 1t will be seen
that it contains the retraction of Mr.. Deputy
Secretary HUNT Of the statements in his let
ter to the Germania, and the testimony of the
Mercury and the Southern Guardian. both
leading Democratic papers, and the latter the
party organ at the State Capital, to the effect,
that in 1856 an amendment to the State Con-
stitution was proposed in a Legislature unani-
mously Democratic, and was finally adopted,
which is exactly the same as the Massachu-
sets amendment. Read
From the Charleston Mercury, July 16.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
When We copied the opinion of Mr.. VIM.
II. Huntt, Deputy Secretary of State, we
were aware that 1t was incorrect, but courtesy
suggested that We should not attack or deride
1t until Mr.. Hunt was heard from. We, there.
iore' gave 1t the benefit of our circulation,
which, 6y favor of the Southern Guardian, at
Columbia, has brought out the following card
from Mr.. Huntt and very interesting COM
muncatlon on the subject from contributor
to that journal.
The bill, which became portion of the
constitution by its passage December 20,
1000, was introduced in the House of Repre-
sentatives by Capt. E. NJ. Whiting, of the
Charleston delegation. 1t was first enforced
In this city at the election for Mayor. 1857,
From the Southern Guardian.
We copied paragraph yesterday which we
found in the 1Kercury relative to the natnraEza.
non laws OF this State, giving the opnon of Mr..
Huntt Deputy secretary of State, in reply to some
made of him. 1t will be seen. by the
caro- ol Mr. hunt and the communication in an
o'her column, that the former inadvertently made
a mistake and that, hereafter, at State elections
those who have become naturazed since the mas
sage OF the law, will have to be two wears citizens
before they can vote
OFFICE OF TIE SECRETARY OF STATE.
coLUABIA,S 8. c., July Ii, 1859. I
notice in your issue of to-day letter Of mine to tho
editor Of the Cermdnid Cleveland, Ohio in reply to
an inquiry OF HIS whether there was law In exis.
OF two years after he has received Ills
naturalz sten made BY me. As it is not Incumbent
merely examined, in the midst of off,ca hmsns. -
subject so far as 1t is treated in .sMilers omniIa,nn
OF the act our Legislature passed Ia Decem
the note and the act Of 1855 which explain; itself
WILLIAM r. HUNT,
Deputy Secretary of State.
The following is portion of the "Commu-
nleation" referred to, as published in the
Southern Guardian -
An article taken from the Nercvv stating that
foreigner can vote in South Carolina as soon az
naturaiized Is erroneous, and ought to be correct
THE history of our Legislation is as follows. Tn
to l.so, when our present constitution was adopt
ed, the qualifications of voters were fixed hv ~.
of Assembly; and by A. A. l7O4 I'D Stat n essS
an alien could vote, it. in addition 10 owninr no.
perty, &c, he had resided in the precinct ,breo
months. By A. A, l7s4 a Stat D. 6Ol) two veors'
citizenship was required. BY the constitution of
1890, being citizen at the time and having r.S;
ued two years, was sufficient In 1910 nronon, |
qualification of voter (hree shillings sterl;nr 10y
paid was abolished, and in 1856 our const;tSt;on
was amended as follows:
stives now met and sitting in Gener al Assembly ana
'y the authority Of the same, that the
ourt section Of the hrst article Of the CON Sttuton
mis- STATE ratified on the nineteenth day of Decemher
n the year Of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
"a Ten, be altered and amended read as follows
very tee white man Of the age Of twenty one years
,acpers and commissioned officers aud private so
ers OF the army of the United States exc epted VIII
latn oeen citizen and resident this State too a.oa
usoaos 70 tho day Of election, who hath freeho,S
d ni,y acres OF land town lot Of which he hair
legally seized and possessed at least six month.
,eois .uSh election, or not having such freehold or
own ot nan been resident in the election distrs, ~
Fnich ne offers to give his vote six month"; he orc az
aid election shall haze right to cote for menh.r
MEMBERS to serve in either branch of the l.e,,.ol
" 10 resident. "9o property,
1t Is evident Continues the Guardia, \ ,b..
south Carolina no one can vote unless he hos hsa
c1ttzen OF this State for two years. 'een
whether an alien can hold offic. at al, :, Su |
'arolina Is questioned by some-snce nndar o .h
mendment of the constitution Qs54 ali of,;, VIC
must take the oath of allegiance to the STATE T
ne certainly can DO elected member of fbo ~