The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-29
Judge Lippincott's Naturalization De-
cision.

IdtQIdl4LGds a az AAaNa
versy throughout the State. Very many
persons differ from Judge L%ippineott,
holding that birth on the soil of the
United States constitutes citizenship.
while conceding that there are many
rulings both of our courts and in the gen
eral history of diplomacy which supper
point seems still to be an open one. with
the general leaning in favor of citizen
ship by birthright except in the case of
children of ministers, consuls, or persons.
transiently sojourning in the country,
who take their children away with them
and bring them up as citizens fof the
lands to which they themselves profess
allegiance.
1t is rather strange to discover how
many persons are affected by Judge
Lippincott's decision. In Newark, the
SUNDAY Calf says, there are several
hundred, and from mentions of the sub
1ect in other papers we judge there must
pG I1dAy AL ~ Ill WV
There are the cases, also, of persons born
here whose parents were n~aturalized,
but who no longer are in a position to
prove the fact of the naturalization. The
loss of a fathers papers and the forget
ting of the place where his naturaliza-
ton took place might, under Judge Lip
pincott's ruling, place a native born citi-
zen in a very embarrassing position
In case his rights were questioned.
The common sense of the business
seems to be that where a child is born
here of parents who adhere to a foreign.
allegiance. and is taken back to its
parents' country during minority to reside
there, it loses all claim or right on ac-
count of the accident of it's birth here.
But when the child grows up in this
claim to citizenship in right of birth by
claiming to vote or to hold public office,
the right cannot reasonably be denied.
Any man who has been in this country
from before his eighteenth year can OBJ
tain his naturalization apers at twenty
one or any time thereafter, SO it cannot
be disputed that a man in Mr.. Benny's
position has all the legal qualifications
for citizenship. When the person pos
sessing these qualifications has further
the claim of nativity, We are inclined to
think the formality of taking out his
papers is not necessary. There is, it ap-
pears, a decision by Justice Field of the
United States Supreme Court in this
spirit, wherein he declared that the juris-
diction of the United States over a Chi
nese born in this country. whose parents
were Chinese subjects, was exclusive
at the time of his birth. The definition
of the words Subject to the jurisdiction
thereof" which Judge Field gave in 1884
contradicts, if it does not supersede, the
definitions upon which Judge Lippincott
seems to rely.
Clerk of Chancery Allan L. McDer-
mott has written a letter to the lead
ers of the direct legislation movement,
declaring himself against the whole
scheme. He says it is not practical
Estate Gazette"
Allan McDermott is not only a clear
headed man, but also a live politician.
1t is only a dead. worn-out crook like
bob" Adrain that has to take up crank
ideas to keep himself in sight of the pub
lie.
Put on a smile and receive the in
come tax collector co~urteously. 1t isn't
his fault he is here.-"Philadelphia
North American.
But, whatever you do, tell him the
truth.
There has been some revival of the
talk that General Peter F. Wanser, the
Mayor of Jersey City, may be a. cam
didat for Governor next year.
Oh. what will tom" McEwan say to
this? We believe if Peter were nomt-
mated for Governor, Tom would turn
democrat, out and out.
OUR Jersey City Pythian boys seem
to have done themselves proud at Wash
ington. Why don't they give us a par
ade at home, SO we can appreciate their
style.
ALL the fools and knaves in the Demo-
cratic party-and out of it-are raging
over President Cleveland's letter. But
the people of the country are with the
President, and the Democracy will march
to triumph to his music in the fall am
paign.
HAROLD M. SEWELL of Bath, Maine,
has renowned the Democracy" and be-
come a full hedged member of the Re-
publican party" Sewell is the fellow
who was kicked out of the post of Con-
sui to Samoa for gross INSTRUMENTATION
and scandalous criticism of Secretary
Bayard's policy. He was re~appointed by
President Harrison on the recommends
ton Of the late James G.. Blaine and
Secretary Frye.
Speaking of his political flop, a press
despatch from Augusta, in the morning
papers. says
the Republican leaders tonight are ju-