The Irish standard., 1893-02-11


their ballots according t. the dictation Of
"boeses'' who expected to be rewarded
for their activity. At the last presidential
election large vote was cast by natural
lied citizens in the leading cities OF the
country who had but dim conception
of the issues involved in the campaign.
They had taken out their First papers"
only, and their votes counted as much as
if they had been American-born, or had
been admitted to full citizenship. For
eign-born residents who have lived in the
country for many years have been voting
on their first papers and enjoying all the
rights and privileges Of American citizen
ship. They have neglected to take out
their second papers and become full
dedged citizens. They cannot truly say,
II am an American citizen and with
them the title has no value. II they re-
turn to their native country they cannot
secure passports from the department OF
state, for they have only promised to be-
come citizens and have failed to fulfill
their solemn pledge. Since the cholera
scare much has been said about restrict
ing immigration. The proper kind OF
immigrants should be encouraged to
come to our shores. but some steps should
be taken to compel them to become fully
developed citizens in the shortest time
possible. The voting made easy laws OF
our states should be changed. Some OF
our adopted citizens have an idea that
they can get along just as we'll with only
a declaration of intention to become
citizens, and so they do not care about
perfecting their naturalization. When
taking out his second papers the law re-
quires that two citizens shall accompany
theapplicant to testify that he is proper
person to be admitted to citizenship, and
has been law-abiding man during his
residence in this country. The presump.
tion therefore is that the law contem-
plates the rejection Of unworthy persons
who apply for complete citizenship.
During their period of probation they
must give evidence of possessing the re-
quisite qualifications of al American
citizen before the second. papers are is
sued to them. We believe there are
many men now exercising the right of
suffrage by simply declaring their inten-
tion to become citizens who ought to be
rejected when they apply for their second
papers.
We refer to such embryo citizens as
the anarchists, for instance. They have
no respect for our institutions and set
law and order at defiance. Why should
they be permitted to vote on their first
papers when they are not fit to become
citizens after the probationary period?
Looking at the naturalization question
from non partisan standpoint, every re-
flecting man must see the necessity OF
amending the laws in this particular.
Senator Mcmillan has been preparing
a bill to be introduced in our state legis-
lature to prevsnt any person from voting
until he shall become full citizen, that
is until he has resided five years in the
state and taken out his second papers.
We have not seen the bill, but as Senator
Mcmillan 10 staunch Democrat, we are
inclined to think favorably of any meas
ure drawn up by him to compel foreign
q 81 - + I,
state. A fsw years ago the clerk Of court
in one of the counties of this state pre-
pared list of "citizens" who had not
gone further than declaring their inten-
lions. The children Of these "citlzens'
were astonished when they discovered
that their fathers had not yet been fully
naturalized, though several of them had
run for office and been elected.