The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-10
j. FraiSe Richard Attacks
Power of Congress.
HOLDS CITIZENSHIP IS LOST
Argument Presented that C0nStitu-
tion Gives Rights IN Govern TO All
Citizens, While Residence in Dis
trict Deprives Neutrality-suspicious. OF
All Constitutional Privileges.
Editor The Washington Herald:

the subject OF citizenship IN the District
OF Columbia. What 1 have to say is. in
the language of scientists, purely ten
tative and subject 10 revision as further
light may dawn. Wise people change
their conclusions as additional light has
been received; fools never change, ex-
eept for the worse.
In the Standard Dictionary of the Eng
hsh language Webster defines citizen
as "a member OF a nation or sovereign
state. especially OF a republic: one who
owes allegiance 20 a government and is
entitled TO protection from IT," In the
New International published in 1903, a
modified definition Is presented. "Citi-
zen. an inhabitant of a city or town.
especially one who enjoys its freedom
and privileges"
In both these definitions. however. is
contained the idea of freedom, privilege.
and protection. The idea of punish
ment or deprivation of inherent rights
is wholly foreign 10 the thought In
the eye OF the law, all Roman citizens
were equal and all subjects OF the en-
pire We're citizens OF Rome"-Gibbon.
vol 4, chap, a. Our modern states
men and publicists may be made wiser
by carefully studying and practicing the
conditions existing under this ancient
power
Several new terms confront US for con-
sideration. Here they are; Citizenship.
10 make or naturallzo as a citizen: 10
invest with citizenship" In this coun-
try two well-knoWn methods OF making
citizens exist. The first is that OF a
person. a male resident born of Amer
lean Darentage and attaining the legal
voting age twenty-one years who is per-
mitted 10 have and enjoy the privileges
Of an American citizen. During the civil
war, IN some States. this prerogative be-
longed 10 any one of military age-that
Is. between eighteen and forty-five years
In some States the privilege of the cleo
tive franchise is bestowed upon women
and exercised by them. The second
method OF producing citizenship Is that
usually known as naturalization.
TWO general methods, at least, by which
this citizenship may be lost are known
10 eXist-the person may remove 70 an
other country, renounce his citizenship
here, and take up that privilege under his
new government II Is the reverse Of
what occurs in becoming a naturaIized
citizen here.
IN the next place, a person may COM
nit crime which results in his being
confined IN some prison or penitentiary.
II the sentence is carried out 10 It's full
extent. he may without some interven-
ton from the Chief Executive. lose his
citizenship AS a matter Of fact 10 pre-
vent this condition he is. if his prison
conduct may warrant il. released before
the sentence has been fully executed
This second case illustrates the manner
in which person may lose his citizen
ship. and authorizes the employment Of
an appropriate term not in general use
''decitzonship."
Section 2 article 4. OF the Constitution
declares: The citizens OF each State
shall he entitled 10 all the privileges and
immunities OF citizens in the several
States" The fourteenth amendment ex-
plieitly provides: cali persons born or
naturalized in the United States and sub
Ject to the jurisdiction thereof are citl-
zens of the United States and Of the State
wherein they reside"
Finally. clause Il. section s. article l, of
the Constitution enumerates among the
powers Of Congress: ITO exercise exclu-
sive legislation in all cases whatsoever
over such district mot exceeding ten miles
square) as may become the seat OF the
government Of the United States"
A few pertinent questions may now be
submitted
Ftrst-If person legally a citizen Of
the United States removes from any
State TO another and complies with local
conditions of residence and registration,
does he sacrifice his citizenship?
Second-If a citizen of the United States
removes. for legitimate purposes. to the
City OF Washington, Fhen did his citizen
ship cease. when he left his former State
or just as he was crossing the District
line, or after he has taken up his resi-
Gence?
Third-What real crime has he COM
United by removing from any State 10
Washington?
Fourth-When and for what and In
what way did he become "decitizenized? ."
Fifth-Does the power Of Congress to
exercise exclusive legislation" over the
District Of Columbia ahrogate the six
purposes for which the Constitution was
formed as enumerated in its preamble.
OF does il simply mean that Maryland
and Virginia shall keep hands of" and
not attempt 10 exercise the supervision
they had before the territory was coded
10 the United States?
SiXth-When and by what authority
was the President vested with the right
20 cast the exclusive and only ballot of
the people in any matter in which they
are individually and collectively inter
ested?
seventh-Sidney Smith once declared
that the ministers OF his dav preached
from their bellies and not from their
brains or their hearts. Is Il not time 10
study and interpret the Constitution and
the question OF citizenship In Washington
from the standpoint OF the true republic
established by the fathers. and not in
the light OF a despotic monarchy?
Eighth-DO the people OF Washington
and the nation really think that the Dis
tFict OF Columbia affords any Just CON
Ception OF a republican or a democratic
form OF government?
J. PRAISE RICHARD.
Washington .. c. Oct 10. 1910
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