The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-07-11
f. S. Becker Formerly With
National Bureau Gives
Interesting Facts.
SOLDIER IS NOT A CITIZEN
Even an Honorable Discharge from the
Army Does Not Give Bearer of it
Any Right to Vote in State Tan
giles Explained by Former Official.

In the past few weeks many tangles
have been found in connection with the,
enforcement Of the new Wisconsin law
in regard to the voting Of aliens.
Many of the foreigners have not been
able to figure out just what rights they
have. Frank S. Becker, formerly an
examiner for the United States govern
ment, has furnished this paper with
the following interesting statement
aimed to clear up these tangles;
Editor Daily News:
question of citizen ship recently pro-
pounded impels me to mention few
facts relating thereto cleaned from my
experience as special examiner in the
government service. Citizenship is not
as is commonly supposed a simple mat
ter without complicated tangles.
The question above referred to was
whether an alien after having rendered
service in the United States army and
being honorably discharged therefrom,
never having been admitted to
citizenship nor having declared his in
tantion to become a citizen, is citizen.
1t was claimed that the alien in ques
ton should be permitted to vote be-
calSe Of the fact that when he was
mustered into the service he made oath
to support and defend the constitution
of the United States. This man is not
a citizen although under the law he is
not obliged to first declare his intention
to become citizen before making APP
plication for naturalization. He is re-
quired to prove but one year g continu-
GUS residence in this country immedi-
ately preceding the date of his appli-
cation whereas civilian must prove
five years continuous residence. The
mere fact that man served in the
United States army, navy or marine
corps does not make him citizen, and
he cannot vote in this state unless he
declared his intention to become citi-
zen prior to December /, 1908. Furth-
err if he is not admitted to citizenship
he cannot vote in this state after De
cember l, 1912.
A great many persons claim citizen
ship by virtue of the naturalization OF
their fathers, and many such are mis-
taken. The naturalization of an alien
also confers citizenship uponhis minor
children dwelling in the United States.
The point I wish to emphasize here is
that the parent must be admitted to
citizenship (get his second papers, be
fore his foreign born children become
twenty-one years Of age, otherwise they
arc not benefited by his naturalization.
Generally speaking, the mere fact
that the parent declared his intention
(took out his first paper, or half paper
or small paper) does not change the
status of the child, and it might be
we'll for all of this class of persons to
ascertain whether they really are citi-
zens.
I have found many men who were
naturalized in a manner contrary to
law in that two years had not elapsed
between the date of their declaration
and the date of their admission. Others
had not resided in this country for the
full term of FIVE years prior to the date
of their naturalization. Others were
naturalized under the so-called "Mi-
nor s Act" never having taken out
their first papers althouh they were
past eighteen at the date of their ar
rival in this country. A man holding
such certificate could not secure a
passport, nor a government homestead,
nor a government position.
The proper course in such cases
would be to petition the court out OF
which the certificate was issued to set
aside the order of admission and can.
eel the certificate, and then for the
alien to file new application fol
naturalization.
1t might be of interest to sc4ne to
know that any American woman who
marries a foreigner shall take the ma,
tionality of her husband. OF course
if the husband is subsequently admitted
to citizenship, then the wife resumes
her status as an American citizen.
The naturalization laws of the
United States contain no provision as
to the effect of adoption by an Ameri
can citizen on the status of an alier
minor. The best authorities hold that
citizenship can not be conferred upon
an alien child by adoption. The su
preme court of the United States has
never been called upon to decide this
question =
Frank S. Becker