San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-05-31
SHORT STOPS.
What the People are Saving.


The most undesirable class Of immigra-
ton entering our country today comes
over the Rio Grande border. These peo-
pie are Of the original Indian Mexican
population, a people truthfully described
in Gov. Crittenden's letter recently pub
lished in the San Antonio Express.
The population of Mexico is divided
into two classes, the governing class and
the poems. We get none OF the former
but Of the latter class Texas has had a
swarm.
As Mr.. Crittenden says that pauperism
and extreme poverty exist among whole
class OF the Mexican people, these people
for hundreds Of years have been nothing
but the most AFFECT serfs, never owning
homes or lands or charlottesville peon-
age system was only nominally abolished.
These people, by reason Of railroads and
easier communication with The United
States, swarm over into Texas seeking
livelihood.
And these very people, without any ed
ucation,, without any knowledge or ap-
probation Of our political institutions,
aliens in race. Indifferent as to location,
unused to independent citizenship, are
permitted to vote and exercise privileges
which they never have exercised in their
own country.
Considering the facility OF their ingress,
the temptation Of corrupt politicians to
use them, the Mexican citizenship Ques-
ton becomes the most important political
problem OF the day.
l.
invasion Of these Mexican poems; what
is there to stop the prostitution of our
ballot boxes; who butts the federal
power can dictate a rule Of action that
will protect our citizenship from destruc-
ton.
II there was any hardship attached to
this issue there would be some sense In
opposing The wholesale, indiscriminate
manufacture OF citizens out OF the Mexi-
can pauper population. Left to himself
the Mexican Immigrant would never
dream Of being an American sovereign.
All he asks for is the,priviege OF coming
into our country and enjoying the right
to compete for labor with our population.
This Is great privilege which the United
States congress has recently put under
restriction.
Under no circumstances do we want
the citizenship OF the poor hereditary
pauper population of Mexico. The gov
eminent OF Mexico will not ask 1t Of US.
-
We would not ask IL OF Mexico.
There are only few local office hold
ers who are interested In keeping this
M nd a nj
voting lists; 1t is their capital in trade by
which they are enabled TO vote down In
telligence and patriotism.
No class of our good citizens are more
interested in the proper adjudication
of this question than our old resident
American MeXicans. They have been
disgraced and bumiliated by the hords of
Mexican trampS that have been credited
to them.
The exclusion OF the Mexican lmmi-
grant from naturalization will be a gain
10 good citizenship. Every good citizen
knows this, and every citizen will favor it,
Mexican citizenship has been farce-a
shame-a ridiculous Interpretation OF our
naturalization laws, a criminal execution
of our election laws, a prostitution OF our
elective franchise, and should be stopped
II there is any power to stop it.
TIN curtail the importance of some
OF our local political msgnates, but 1t will
be a great relief to every honest man in
our community.
The San Antonio Express says that II
10 is seriously meant to test the elligibii-
81 hn tn I'M lf1o-
ton, the Texas people would rise In
indignation. For whom does the Express
speak? Not surely for any American who
has a spark OF pride in his heart, a par
ticIe Of honesty in his composition.
We must protect our institutions from
the bightning influence OF foreign ignor-
ance, pauperism and hereditary depend
ency. To expose our state to the posi-
bility of an Invasion from Mexico, and
we have 1t already, would be unpatriotic.
1t is estimated that there are now in
our state over 10000 Of these undesirable
ignorant people, who are exercising polit-
ical rights, unknown to them In their own
country-a people who have no idea OF
becoming American citizens, but who are
used to polute our ballot boxes.
1t is with no unkindness to the Mexi-
can people-no desire TO make discrimina-
tion against them, but from well settled
national rule that this position Is taken.
1t is rumored that DR.. OrnelaS has
taken a hand in this controversy. DR..
Ornelas, as Mexican consul, has no bust
ness interfering with American citizens,
his business is looking after Mexican
citizens, and we doubt very much II he is
interesting himself with our local politics.
We are perfectly willing that Mexico
shall make the same rule that we do on
the citizen question-make 1t impossible
for any native of the United States 20 be-
come a citizen of Mexico. We are only
selections about our own citizens. Any
man who would expatriate himself no
longer deserves, or Is entitled TO the care
of his mother country.
If Mexico wants to make citizens Of
Americans, Anglo Americans, and give
them the right to dictate the politics Of
the republic, that is Mexlco's business,
but the United States has no obligation
to admit any foreigner that she dontt
want to citizenship. Neither has Mexico.
1t is a matter of policy exclusively within
the province OF each nations political
government. We have right to contine
oj,;1apshin m birth and race IL we think