The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-02
STATES WHERE ALIENS VOTE.
NINE GRANT RIGHT or SUFFRAGE
BEFORE NATURALTZATION.

bmese staVrt ENtcnd 70 Newly Arrived Iuls
migrants the Right Ga Vote IInme.
diateiy Upon TheIr Declaration Of In-
w tentIOn 10 Become American Citizens.
There is probably not more than one man
In a hundred-Outside Of political circles
who knows that there are nine States in the
Federal Union where an alien, just landed in
this country, may in all sincerity and truth
say;
Hold me valise until l cast me vote"
In other words, there are mine States that
extend to the newly arrived foreigner the
privilege to exercise the suffrage immedi-
ately upon his declaration Of intention to
become an American citizen. whether
uttered in good faith or not. These States
are Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan,
Missouri, Nebraska, Texas. Oregon and
Visions in.
How many aliens are there in the United
states to-day who have not been here long
enough to qualify a. citizens? That's a
dtnRoult question to answer. 1t il possible
that the balance Of political power In the
United States is lodged with foeig ners
owing no allegiance TO this Government. or
" fact TO any Government on the face OF
the globe
A number OF States nave adopted lax
laws governing the right Of suffrage for
aliens. The Federal Government in not 40
considerate Of the foreigner who has an
nounced his purpose TO reside in his coun-
try and qualify for citizenship. Except as
to the right - acquire public lands the
political status OF ar alien under the Fed
eraI laws is unchanged by his declaration
al an intention to become a citiz To
this effect judicial decisions are uniform.
Treaties negotiated with Austria, Germany,
Wnrtembsrg. Sweden and Norway and
Mexico specifically provide that the decla-
ration OF intention made by former citizens
OF those Powers shall not have the effect
OF citizenship legally acquired.
One who has made the declaration is
really in thespostiton Of ~having!no allegiance
Ddgno government to look to for protec-
lion in case OF need. His citizenship is in
an inchoate state. II has not, however,
been acquired, and the person who has
made the declaration is still an alien, but
as he has formally declared his intention to
throw of his former allegiance and take
on allegiance to the United States, the
foreign government OF which he was a
citizen canno be expected to ext end it's
protection TO him. Whether OF not he is
entitled to the protection Of this govern
ment, II he goes abroad for a temporary
~soJourn. was formerly a question Of doubt,
but II has now been definitely ruled that he
IL not entitled to such protection.
The foreigner who has declared his in
tention under the Federal naturalization
avs may vote in nine States, and yet he in
reality Is a man without a country. Should
ne 60 abroad he could not claim the protec-
ton OF the United States in the event Of an
n should be get into trouble
II would be futile for him to call for aid
from the government Of which he was for
merry a subjact.
a commission to investigate and re-
upon the subject of naturalization in
the United States. Among the recommen-
dations made by that body was the follow
THAT the declaration OF intention he
polished and there be substituted in it's
place a petition TO be flied with the court
which the application for naturali-
xation shall be heard at least ninety days
before the hearing"
The object OF this proposed law was to
what is regarded by a good many
states named above. Congress refused to
strike from the statutes the provision re-
curing the declaration Of intention. Why?
some Of the practical politicians
explain. The Naturalization Com
composed of able and conscientious
officials, considered and recited in its re-
port all the arguments for and against
M declaration Of intention, and came to
this conclusion:
ut is the commissions opinion that the
arguments against it are conclusive, and
4 Is recommended that il be abolished
additional safeguards concentrated
the final naturalization proceedinRs."
Congress compromised by inserting in
section Q OF the new naturalization act
these words:
b. arhok No NA-.,, .Lnn l.
sor shall any certificate Of naturalization
be Issued by any court within thirty days
preceding h holding OF any general cleo
ion within it's territorial jurisdiction"
Whsn Congress- passed the law il I'M
ioubtedly had in MIND frauds against the
ballot. By failing TO strike out the require
neDt as to the declaration Of intention il
eft a loophole for violations OF the spirit
h law in the States that deal so gently,
nth the alien declarant. On this subject
he Bureau Of Naturalization SAYS:
. The obvious intention OF the proviso
hat no person should be naturalized nor
my certificate Of naturalization be issued
~ any court within thirty days preceding
he holding Of a general election was to
fraudulent voting. IL was not
into consideration when the act was
lRssed that a number OF States permitted
lien declarants to exercise the ripht Of
equally with citizens Of the United
mates, and hence the exact terms Of the
applied only to naturalization,
yhich Ia the usual prerequisite TO voting. !
n other words. the terms OF the present
lct are not such a. to enable the Govern !
20 maintain a prosecution for accept
hg declarations OF intentions within thirty
Of a general election where such
is made for the purpose Of ac-
luiring the right TO vote within thirty
lays after being made"
Under the new law. which will become
September "a. the declaration Of
viii be in force and effect for a
,owover. that no alien who has made a
under prior laws shall be re-
luited TO take out a new declaration, 80 that
IL in the position Of having a permanent
light TO vote in the States which grant such
sdeclarant the privilege Of the ballot. In
limo States. therefore, the alien declarant
injovs one Of the greatest benefits Of citi-
without s~houldering any Of its
responsibilities.