The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-01-26
THE ELKO INDEPENDENT.
"WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20. 1870.
chins.e citi,.n.Aip clo.. A. H,nd.

Chinese citiIsnship Close At Hand.
1t Is bot short time since the Republican
party on this coast stoutly denied that the Fiji
teenth Amendment would in any way affect
the political condition Of the Chinese. It is
evident now, that however repugnant it may
be to portion of that party, the Radical or
ganization is about to take the extreme ground
and plant itself distinctly upon universal suf-
frage, without regard to race or color. The
leading organs and speakers Of the Republican
party, on the Pacific coast are drifting con-
stantly in that direction, and growing holder
from day to day as they feel the pulse of pub
lie sentiment, appreciate the weakness Of their
present position and the utter hopelessness
of ever reeaining ground on the dubious, half
hearted, double-headed platform they adopted
in California at the late election.
Iu the California Legislature, Senator Tweed
one Of the oldest of the Radical members,
opened the ball on the new and honest plat
form of the party, in a lengthy speech favor
ing the ratification ofthe Fifteenth Amendment
and striking the word white" out of the nat
uralization laws. This covers the whole
ground, and if adopted, at once places the
Chinese on perfect equality with all other
immigrants 10 this country. They are admit
ted to citizenship and to the polls on the same
terms as oil other foreigners.
1t is questionable whether there would be
any necessity for distinct repeal of that Sec
tion of the naturalization laws which limits
the privileges of citizenship to whites, if the
Fifteenth Amendment be adopted. Senator
Cole evidently does not think so, believing
that the adoption of the Amendment in itself
overrules the limitation in the Congressional
act. Mr.. Coles views are reported by Wash
ington correspondent in the following extract:
Would they use the suffrage well, and
would il benefit them %
They scarcely desire it: but they know
their own interests well, and would vote &C
cordinGly. No man or party that opposed
them would get their votes. The idea that
they could be imported and voted by the thou
sand is absurd. They would vote rs intelli-
gently as most foreigners, or as large part of
the negroes"
"You alone, Mr.. Cole, of the four Pacific
coast Senators, voted for the Fifteenth Amend
ment. Did you understand that It included the
Chinese on The same terms as other ndturdliled
citizens -
YES; but think few will naturalize."
II SOie ulcAnlIB
of this Constitutional amendment is correct,
notwithstanding all the past denials and dis
chalmers of the Radical politicians in this and
adjoining States, it is possible that before
these words appear in print, the Chinese will
be declared by Congress subject to all the
rights Of citizenship and suffrage. A few days
ago Senator Stewart announced in the Senate
the receipt of a telegram from Rhode Island
to the effect that the Fifteenth Amendment
had been ratified by that State. The Senator
urged the admission of Virginia to representa-
ton Immediately, assigning as reason that
Virginia, if admitted, would complete the list
of States whose votes were necessary to make
the amendment part of the Constitution.
The bill admitting Virginia has passed the
House, and probably has come to a vote in the
Senate before this time. Possibly, according
to the Radical view, that amendment has been
ratified. If 50, it will undoubtedly be followed
up by the adoption Of Senator Cole s construc-
ton of its meaning. If not, any doubt on
this point will be speedily removed by the
passage of one of several bills now pending in
Congress- amending the naturalization laws
by striking out the word white" wherever il
occurs.