The Topeka state journal., 1897-04-05
CUES FOR VOTES.
Chinese Will Sacrifice Their
Dearest Treasures
And Put on American Wearing
Apparel
70 BECOME CITIZENS,
A League Organized in Chicago
for This Purpose.
Thousands of Celestials Are
Joining the Movement.

Chicago,Apr 5.-Chicagoans may ex-
pect to soon see a startling change in
the appearance of the hundreds of Chi
namen in the city. The cause may best
be explained by the following conversa-
ton, which took place between two ce-
lestials on South Clark street yesterday
afternoon:
You givee cue allie same for one big
Uni States VOTE" said Chin Low Tow to
Hong Bung Fin.
You bettee." responded Bung Fin.
me wantee vIote velly bad. Me throw
way shirt and cutee off cue Me Join
Wong Chin FoO's blig Chinee league -
That is in brief long story in a nut
shell. Under the direction of Wong.
Chin Foo, the editor of the Chinese Daily
formed the Chinese Equal Rights
League" which has for its purpose the
Americanizing of the subjects of the
emperor of China who are in the United
States and securing for them the rights
of American citizenship.
The now progressive Cinnamon are
getting anxious to vote, and the asso-
citation was founded to crystaIize this
sentiment and increase it as much as
possib BILE.
-Four months ago the league was or
ganiZed in Chicago by Mr.. Foo and a
number of other prominent Cinnamon.
The league was at once incorporated at
Springfield under the state laws. Mr..
Foo was made president, and he, to-
gether with the other officers, has been
making vigorous canvass all over the
country among his countrymen for
members of the new organization.
These efforts have been successful, for
almost 1000 members have been enroll
ed. The regulations of the association
require that all members of the league
shall adopt American customs and
dress and cut off their cues. The mem
bers must further declare their inten-
ton of becoming permanent residents
of this country.
In a short time the founders of the
league say they will have 49, 900 or II, 900
members. After it has become apparent
that the association has reached the
limit of its growth a petition, signed by
all of it's members, will be sent to con-
gress asking that they will be granted
suffrage.
At the editorial rooms of the Daily
News, 329 Clark street, a league mem
bership department has been establish
ed. Elaborately engrosSed certificates
of membership in the league are issued
to the members as they send in their
names.
FOO STARTS AGITATION.
The scheme, which is now completely
under way, has been broached before in
the editorial columns of Mr.. Foo's pa
per. The Cinnamon in Chicago are be-
coming enthused with the idea and are
rapidly coming into the leagues fold.
It is said that among many Of the ce-
leStialS, the ballot box has an alluring
fascination, second only to fan-tan or
bung loo.
1--WE are much pleased over the out
look for success said Mr.. Foo, yet
we have started our great scheme to Sc
cure citizenship for the benefit of Chi
namen who are too advanced and too
progressive to ever return to China. No
one can join our organization who does
not intend to reside permanently in the
United States and become voter if
possible. Why shouldn't we be voters
if we become Americanized?
The negroes became voters by being
enfranchised after their emancipation,
and it would certainly be no more than
right that we should also be enfran-
chised.''