The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-11

Isdiana IL one Of the states wherein an
siiea can vote after having declared his
inieasion 20 become ci;izsn- THIS LAX
cisttibrsson Of the suffrage works mis-
chisf everyshsre IL ostasna In Indiana
gangs o: lsborers Of the eiaas Who come
sst,ths country every spring and 60 back
honse With their summers earnings in the
fall. have taken oct their first papers and
thes. registered. These aliens are 3 pcr-
chasabse vote, and have no inte-es: II our
institutions sad no intention Of becoming
eitissns. They are here TO earn money.
OF course ihis state OF things chespeas
citizenship. debssss the suffrage, and far
thess lax statutes.
JlidSe Sanborn. Of ST. Paul, recently de-
citsd that unnatzfaiixed foreigners cannot
iegs;iy vote. Judge sanborn decided that
the Federal law 10 supreme in fixing the
states q foreigners in this country. and
esnzot b suDerseded by any state law
The FEDERAL Law requires that . foreigner
shass reside in this country I've years. aud
sba then. alter sstisfying the court Of
bis fitness for citizenship. renonncs his
aiiesiance 70 foreign powers and take an
oath TO support the constitution and laws
this lie becomes . citizen Of the United
States, and then 10 properly entitled TO ex-
erciss the highest privilege Of citisenship,
the franchise. But In several states, like
Indiana and Minnesota. IL 10 only neces-
sary:: for foreigner to have been in this
country few months aud 70 declare his
infection to become citizen 20 have the
rieha 10 vote. Judge Sanborn decides that
shesy laws are In contravention Of the
Federal statute. and that il IL wholly i'm
proFis. that . subject Of . fore gn power
sho.-d exercise the right Of suasags in
this country.
Tie decision Of Judge sanborn has been
takea up 10 the United State supreme
cout: for review. and the Springfield Re-
pstaean does not feel certain that the
supreme eour. Of the United States viii
susi&in Judge Sanborn. There is nothing
In tie constitution (which in terms gives
congress the right 10 say that only citi-
sens:of the United States shall vote in the
several states. The only constitutional re-
Quissment is that the electors who choose
the members OF the house Of represents
tives shall have the qualifications requi-
site for electors Of the most numerous
branch Of the state legislature Appar-
entity this leaves the determination Of the
Qualification requisite in these premises
70 tie states themselves. II this b the
cases II 10 in the power Of the states to give
the suffrage 70 whomsoever they Please,
vht:her aliens or MAJORS. The consti.u-
tiors right OF states to give the suffrage
70 women has never been disputed, and
apparently this right rests on the absolute
rigks OF tie state 10 give the sufYrsRe
where IL pleases." Under this decision of
Judge Sanborn neither Gov. Boyd Of Ne
brasas nor his father Vas . citizen, and
the sfore had no right TO the suffrage.
They were both aliens, subject 70 foreign
power.
Another excellent ruling was made re-
censly by Judge Hindman, Of Boone. Ia.
wh.e refused to grant naturalization papers
~ ''sANs ~Asf"hS~"s - haoSs tHoWgu lie 0as
properly qualified. The Judge asked
Sirsonson if. in case of war bet xeea the
United States and Denmark. the petitioner
woE'id. II necessary. bear arms for his
adopted country and fight against his ma
iivs land. simonsoa declared he would
NOS; whereupon Jadgs Hindmau refused
- issue the papers, stating that .'the time
has arrived waen no person would be
aic III in this court TO become a citizen un-
iess ne Was willing 10 stand by the gov
er'asncn, under all circumstances and q.
all hines"