The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-22
MAKING A CITIZEN,
Naturalization Law Defects and
Their Remedy.
UNIFORM LEGISLATION NEEDED,
In Fourteen States and Territories
Merely Declaring Their Intention.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN rSsr1-
TUE OF cIvIcs.
There will be no dissent from the propo-
sltion that co-equal states, exercising
equal powers as members of the federal
Union, ought in the exercise of these
powers to be guided by regulations which
are uniform in their application and their
results. If this be not true there can be
no escape from the conclusion that equal
lty In the exercise of power will be impos-
sloie, and that to the extent of this de-
parture from just and equitable rules,
applicable in all the states, there will be a
failure to realize that fraternity and equal
lty In nationality which should be one of
the chief characteristics of govern
ment IN republic. Intelligent and
patriotic citizens, in all the states, will
also, without doubt, unite in the opinion
that the best interests of citizens every
where demand that laws affecting the suf-
frage ana the rights and duties of the clti-
zen be made uniform to an extent suf-
hclent to insure for them, in their applica-
ton. practically equal results.
While the need of suitable action for the
securing of uniform laws is evident in
more than one direction, it is imperatively
demanded in connection with the laws
which, as related to the general govern
ment, as well as to the states, most di-
rectly affect the interests of the nation as
whole.
First of all, then, and without delay, the
laws relating to the suffrage should be SO
amended as to secure an equality of privi-
lege and power Q) on the part of all citi-
Zens who have a voice In the control of the
national government, and (2) on the part
of those who have voice in the control of
the several state governments.
Among the most glazing inequalities and
injustices for which remedy is required,
are the astonishing variances in the stat
utes affecting naturalization, as the result
of which foreigners in some states are
made voters only after probation of sew
eral years, while in sixteen instances lin
Guiding two territories) they may become
voters by merely declaring their intention
to become citizens. wholly regardless of
qualifications or disqualifications.
These conditions plainly indicate that
while all native born citizens, in national
affairs, are subject to like and equitable
restrictions in the exercise of the suffrage,
no such like and equitable rules are APP
Piled to those of foreign birth; but that,
on the contrary, in fourteen states aliens
(men whose declaration of intent to be-
come citizens may never go beyond the
intent, and who meanwhile owe allegiance
to other governments) are at once en-
trusted with all the sacred powers and
privileges which native citizens acquire
by birthright, and may exercise only at
the end of twenty-one years of nuture
under the enlightening influences of our
free institutions.
The serious injustice of these conditions
is sufficiently indicated by the fact that
the number of male foreigners of the
voting age who entered one of the fourteen
states referred to in a single year, and
were thus privileged, without probation,
preparation or inquiry as to qualification,
to influence national and state legislation
by neutralizing the votes of an equal num-
Der of intelligent citizens, native born or of
foreign birth, who had waited in other
states years for the same privilege, was
more than $1,000.
1t cannot but be evident. and to no cit
liens more clearly than to those of the
states referred to, that laws which operate
to secure such an unequal and dangerous
distribution of power, are contrary TO the
spirit of our institutions, and hostile to
the interests of good government in the
nation.
moments reflection will show that
such conditions are little less antagonistic
to the best interests of the states in which
they exist. The ballot is robbed of the
sanctity and nobility which ought to sur
round it when it is thus placed within
the reach of multitudes who have had no
opportunity to measure its value and
qualify themselves for its use. Native
born citizens will not properly prize that
which may become the possession OF any
alien freshly landed, who cares TO pur-
chase it with cheap, and it may be fraud
ulent, declaration. While it is expected
that decisions of great Importance may be
determined by small majoritie it is not
possible to contemplate the maintenance
of conditions which shall place the deter
mining power, either In national or state
affairs, in the hands of aliens-men not
yet citizens. and who may never become
citizens Moreover, since the Senate of
the United States is composed of men
chosen by state legislatures, and these are
composed of men voted for under condi-
tons which control state suffrage in all
respects, it would seem impossible that
there should he one rule governing the
right of suffrage in national elections and
another in state elections.
The federal government has the power
to enact laws whose scope will be sufficient
to remedy some of these evils, but it has
not. like the states, the power to apply
remedy that shall be full and adequate. 4
consideration of all the issues involved
leads TO the following conclusions: First
The defects in our laws relating to natur-
alization must be remedied by state action.
Second-The states. in the exercise OF that
wisdom and patriotism which is the high
est and noplest attribute of republican
citizenship as we'll as state sovereignty,
should enact naturalization laws which
shall be essentially uniform, equitable and
just.
Necessary reforms which require legisla-
tive action are often delayed, merely be-
cause citizens who favor such reforms do
not see their way clear to the action neces-
sary in order to promote them. In this
connection the following suggestions, en-
anating from the American Institute of
Ciyics. are worthy of serious considera-
ton: "As it is manifestly impossible to
secure that impartial. uniform and just
exercise of the right of suffrage
i'm affairs which involve the
interests of all the states, under
laws in the several states which are widely
divergent in their most essential provis-
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