The herald., 1894-10-28
rs MR.. ML1CHLAN A CITIZEN OF
THE UNITED STATESf

Mr.. McLachlan. as appears from his
own affidavit OF date August 8. 1892, wac
born in Scotland 40 years before that
date. Being foreigner he could have
become citizen only by naturalization
un1er the provisions of the title of
Standardization" in the Revised Stat
utes. This could be effected either by
his own compliance with the natursliza-
tion laws, or by the naturalization OF
his father. In the latter case be would
become citizen only in case he W as a
minor, dwelling in the United St ates at
the time Of his fathers naturalization.
His claim to citizenship must, there
fore, depend upon these two facts.
Upon these points neither the entry
OF his repatriation nor his affidavit upon
which it is based, contains any informR-
sion, though this lie expressly required
by law. By section 1906 OF the Political
Code it is expressly provided that the
entry OF registration must show in the
case of naturalized person 'ths time
and place OF naturalization" These, in
the case of McLachlan. If he is O citiz en.
must have been the time and place of
his fathers naturalization but this ie
not shown. 1t is also provided by Sec-
ton 1907 of the same code that in the
case OF person claiming to be natural
lied by the naturalization of his father,
his affidavit must chow that Tho became
a citizen of the United States by virtue
OF the naturalization OF his father, while
he was residing in the United States,
and under the ago OF twenty-one
years." This could be shown only
by giving, in addition to his own age,
the date of his fathers naturalization,
and his own residence at that time, but
his affidavit fails to state these facts.
1t reads simply: II became citizen OF
the United States By virtue Of the nat,
uralization of nv father" Had the
registration of Mr.. McLschlan conformed
to the law we would perhaps have the
necessary information upon the import
ant questions OF his age and residence at
the time OF his fathers naturalization,
and at all events We would have been in
q position to investigate the questions.
In the absence of this official information
which the law imperatively requires,
the voters OF the district should at least
be informed by Mr.. McLachlsn or hie
friends as to the time and place OF his
fathers naturalization, and his own res
idence at the time. Otherwise, they
will be entitled to believe the assertions
of those who say that Mr.. McLachlan
was living in Canada at the date re.
ferred to, and not in the United States,
and that he was also over the age OF 81
years.
Even il satisfactory information can
be given upon the points above referred
10, it will still remain doubtful whether
MIR. McLachlan is a qualified voter of
this county, as neither the entry OF his
registration nor his affidavit fulfill tho
requirements OF the law. This question
can be readily determined by challsng.
ing his vote; but the moro important
question and the question upon which
grave doubts are entertained by many is:
Is he citizen of the United States?
The HERALD recognizes no distinction
between citizens of the United States on
the grounds of birth, but before man
aspires to hold office we have a right to
demand that he be legally qualified,
whether he be native born or natural
lied.