Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-18
WOULD EDUCATE
ALL FOREIGNERS
LEAGUE OF JUSTICE MAKES
WAY OPEN
HIGHER STANDARDS OF CITIZEN
SHIP DEMANDED
Board of Education Requested to Open
Night Schools for Education
of Alien Residents of
the City

Realizing that the presence in Los
Angeles of a large and ignorant imml-
grant population may constitute a
menace to the welfare of our city the
League of Justice has inaugurated
movement to educate the foreign popu-
lation of Los Angeles as to the duties
of citizenship. This work is undertaken
as part of the educational campaign
started by the league for the purpose of
overcoming public apathy toward Of
ficial misconduct and to elevate the
standards of citizenship.
In Los Angeles there is larger ele-
ment of foreigners than is realized by
the average citizen. Out of the ranks
of these immigrants the citizenship or
our city and nation is being recruited.
These aliens have, as rule, no edu-
cation and practically no conception of
the duties of citizenship or the nature
of American institutions. The influence
of these foreigners-and their vote
when they become naturalized-is al
most always cast against the best in
terests of the city. Too often they re-
gard the franchise as a privilege that
enables them to earn a few dollars by
selling their votes.
Los Angeles can no longer afford TO
ignore the presence of the large for.
eign population which fills our tene-
ment districts. The work of transform
ing these ignorant, but not stupid mon
of other nationalities into American
citizens must be taken up.
Night Schools Asked For
The League of Justice, through its
committee on "Citizenship and the I'M
migrant" of which Rev. Dana W. Bart
lett is chairman, has taken the first
step toward awakening the foreig gners
to a realization of the duties which
citizenship in a democracy imposes.
The league has asked the board of
education to reopen its night schools
in the tenement districts and start
classes where adult foreigners may re
ceive instruction in the principles Of
American government and civic duty.
The following letter was sent by the
league to the board of education some
days ago:
1.-THE League Of Justice desires re-
spectfully to submit TO your considera-
tion a proposition which we deem of
considerable importance to this COM
munity.
"There are in Los Angeles a large
number of foreigners of various ma
tionalities, most of whom are adults
with little or no education. These men
and women have practically no conCeE-
tion of the nature of American 1nstltu-
tiOns, no understanding of the forms Of
government in city, state and nation
and no appreciation Of the duties of
citizenship in a democracy.
Education Is Essential
"Out Of this mass of ignorant but
not stunid foreigners the citizenship of
the city and nation is being recruited.
Now, as these immigrants are becOm-
ing members of our community, 1t is
desirable that they have some educa-
tion. As they are to become voters it
is desirable that they should have a
proper conception OF the duties of citi-
zenship. Otherwise they will, in their
ignorance, be controlled by selfish and
designing persons and their influence
will be cast against the best interests
of the city
I'm view of these facts we desire re-
spectfully TO urge upOn the board of
education the need for its taking under
consideration the problem of educating
the immigrant classes Of this city In
this connection we desire to suggest
that instruction in the principles of
Americanism and true democracy, for
which the League Of Justice stands,
should be an essential part Of the
course OF study prescribed for adult
foreigners, who should be given a true
understanding of the principles of
American government and the nature
of our institutions.
"To be more specific, we suggest th5t
you start night school work for adult
immigrants concentrating on the Hewitt
Street school if possible, and, If not,
opening the Utah and Castelar, street
schools. We suggest that primary les
sons in citizenship be given in these