The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-28
order and leave the party which has
thus far honored him.
CAN NOT BECOME CITIzENs

. The decision of Judge Colt sof the
United States Circuit Court YESTERDAY
III the case of Shebata Salto, Japanese
who some time ago made application to
that court to become naturalized citi.
zen OF the United States was against the
applicant, and AS this was the first case
ever to come 10 the test the decision is
OF Tar reaching importance, as it settles
the question of Chinese or Japanese
citizenship forever under the present
laws.
Judge Colt in giving his opinion said:
This is an application Of native Of Japan for
naturalization. The act relating to
says that the provisions of this title shall apply
10 aliens being free white persons and to aliens Of
| African nativity and 10 persons Of African de-
| SCENT" -,
These words were incorporated in the natural.
ization laws as earl. as lS02 At that time the
country was Inhabited by three races, the Caucas.
ian or white race the Negro blaok race and the
american or red race. IL is reasonable therefore
| 10 lnfer that when Congress, in designating the
class OF persons who could be natu led inserted
the qualifying word white 10 intended to exclude
from the privilege Of citizenship all alien races ex.
cept the Caucasian.
But we are not without more direct evidence OF
legislative intent In 1879, after the adoption of
the 18th amendment OF the constitution, prohib.
isihs slavery, and the lith amendment, declaring
VINO shall be citizeas, the question Of extending
the privilege v citizenship TO all races OF aliens
came before Congress for consideration.
AT that time Charles Sumner proposed TO strike
OUT the word white from the statuts and the |
long debate that followed the argument on the part
oil the opposition was that this change would per.
init the Chinese aud therefore the Japanese 10 |
become naturalzed citizens, and the re ply OF those
Nho iaVored lhe cnanee was that this was the very
IL aH
THE amendment was finally rejected and the
present provision substituted extending the natu-
ralizaton laws TO the African race. -. 80. /
Again, In the tlst revisions OF the statutes I'm
1913, the words being free white persons, were |
omitted, probably through inadvertence Under |
the act OF February as, 1870, to. correct errors aud
supply omissions in the nrst revision ths section
sbtse ar amended by inserting os rtoffng
"The history Of legislation on this subject shows
that congress refused 10 eliminate white from the
staSies' for the reason that II would extend the
privilege oil naturalization TO the Mongelian race /
and that when, through inadvertence, this word |
was left out of the statutes it was again restored
or lhe very purpose OF such exclusion.
IRON popular standpoint both in ancfent
ina modera times, the races of mankind have |
'een distinguished by difference in color, and they
lave been classified ms white, black, yellow and |
'rown races. = | :
whether this question is viewed in the light OF ,
congressional intent, or of the popular or scientific
leAnlngof white person., or of the autAo rity OF 4
djudcated cases, the only cor clusion am able to
eaeh stter careful consideration is that the pres
nt application must be denied.~ .
Thus Chinese and japanese and other :
iongolians ara ineligible to American :
ltizenship until such time as Congress !,
hall SEQ tit to alter the naturalization
'ws so as to include them and in view =
the continued hostility to the Chinese, r. =,
Is doubtful if the present generation a
FER sees this change accomplished. -
The applicant whose petition was -
'nied has lived in the country Is years. ~ ~
industrious, has accumulated com -
'tency, married and has several chill -
EN-, but he can never become citizen. ~
ID must content himself with the
ivileges extended to all comers in this v
untry without enjoying the right of
anchise, which alone is denied him.