San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-26
THE MEXICAN CITIZEN CUES
TON.
Mr.. Newcomb's Interview Covers
Some Imnortant Points.


Some Important Points.
The San Antonio Express" has
published several interviews and art
icles bearing on the question Of U. s.
naturalization laws; among them q
very interesting and pointed state
ment made by Mr.. Jas. p. Newcomb,
which we reprint at request of many
readers:
IL was chief registration officer OF
this county and registered all persons
qualified to vote under the recon-
struction act" said James p. New
comb yesterday. II had to decide
upon the qualification of all persons
offering to register as voters and
among them were the Mexicsns. /
made ruling which was not ques.
toned, that only those Mexicans who
| were native born citizens of the
United States or had chosen to re-
main citizen, of the United States af-
ter the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo,
were eligible to register as voters.
The naturalization OF q Mexican citi-
zen never seems to have been
thought of then. At least / know Of
no instance of one applying for regis
tration "a voter. Under my ruling
the Mexican vote of Bexar county
was less than 400, If my memory
serves me right"
"You were q member of the recon-
| structlon constitutional convention.
How about the question then?" the
| reporter acked.
"Yes, was q member Of the state
constitutional convention that adopt
| cd the suffrage clause admitting
foreigners to vote on intention pa
pers, which 10 the same rs in the
present constitution. The Mexican
was not considered. The clause was
inserted for the benefit of white
foreigners, and rs bait to foreign
immigration, which was then agitat-
ed rs q republican measure. But
| following the adoption of the con-
stitution of $50 at the succeeding
election there was issued, am in
formed, over 1000 intention papers to
Mexicans alone. 1t was q sort of
official speculation, in which the dis
trict clerk and registration officers
eagerly engaged. The question as to
| the qualification of the Mexican to
become o naturalized citizen has new.
| or been sprung in any tangible form.
| The qualifications tor naturalization
are entirely within the province OF
federal legislation, and the suffrage
| clause In our state constitution IL
subservient to this legislation, and II
seems the Mexican has not been pro.
| vided for. BY common custom on the
Mexican from tier the Mexican has
not only been permitted to vote, but
upon much easier terms than other
foreigners, using both republics at
his will Tor trampipg ground"
| "What effect will the spripging OF
this question have, generality"
at will no doubt draw the atten-
ton of the country to our loose politi-
Cal habits on the frontier; to the farce
Of elections controlled largely by an
| alien population that ha We no abid-
ing interest in the country, who
simply take out intention papers to
vote, or swear to have done SO, but
who never intend to become natural
lied citizens of the United States.
The taking of the last census in this
district disclosed this fact very for.
| 9 bly,, 1t being o rare instance where
q native of Mexico acknowledged
that he had foreswOrn allegiance to
his native country. Should the ques-
| ton get before the courts and be de-
cided that the Mexican, being neither
q Caucasian or negro, is without the
| pale of naturalization then all our
voting business in this locality must
be revised.
"About Mr.. Paschal's laugh" con-
| tinued Mr.. Newcomb. "Well, don't
believe Mr.. Paschal has looked into
the matter. Whatever may be his
his private opinion about the absur-
Idly Of this proposition, he will per-
fmm his duty as district attorney by
filing proper papers at the insta nee
of parties directly interested, and
have his laugh after ward"