Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-06

Representative Bankhead of Alabama
challenges the equity of permitting
aliens. who do not appreciate the value
of American citizenship sufficiently to
apply for naturalization, to have voice
in eiecting Representatives to Congress.
While non citizens have no vote at any
election OF course, yet the apportion-
ment of Representatives is based upon
the total census figures, which include
such aliens.
In his speech in the House last Tues
day. he said:
Il think I voice at least the senti-
ment of a very large part OF the men,
bership OF this House when assert
that it is absolutely contrary to the
genius and spirit Of our institutions to
have our representation In the law-mak-
ing branch, the popular branch OF the
Government of the United States, based
upon persons in this country OF that
type of man and woman who are not
willing to dissolve their allegiance to
their old country and do not think
enough of American institutions and
American protection and American
rights to affiliate themselves with and
at least attempt TO become citizens OF
the United States.
II say that that number of people
are not representative Of the real spirit
and purpose Of the American Nation
and that they should not receive con-
sideration in apportioning the men who
are sent here to represent the real
Americans residing within our borders.
1T has been said that there are from
1000, 900 to 100000 aliens In the
United States at the present time who
are here unlawfully. who have been
smuggled into this country, who have
been bootlegged, SO to speak, into the
United States"
The Alabama speaker was discussing
an amendment proposed to the census
bill requiring that the census shall note
the unnaturalized aliens as such, who
shall then be excluded from the basis
of eapportionment-just like the
spirit of the genius of this country as
expressed by Representative Tinkham
Of Massachusetts,, who also has an
amendment to the census bill, reading
in part as follows:
And the number of inhabitants of
each State, being 81 years OF age ana
citizens of the United States, whose
right to vote at the election next pre-
ceding such census for the choice OF
electors for President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, Represent.
atives in Congress, the executive and
judicial officers of State, or the MEM
bers of the Legislature thereof. has peen
denied or abridged, except for REBEL
lion or other crime
r X X
Discussing this amendment, Repre-
sentative Tinkham presented the argu-
ment that, according to the Constitu-
ton, the census is required % to
take a census of the population; CD
make the apportionment go to
provide, in accordance with the man
datory section of the fourteenth amend
ment of the Constitution, which re-
quires a reduction of the membership
in proportion to Observation-Disclosures
He added:
Therefore, am asking only that
this census bill be made constitutional,
and / wish to say to this committee
that unless the bill is made constitu-
tional by proving that statistics shall
be obtained in the ordinary and usual
manner by the Bureau of the Census,
upon which is devolved the RESPONSE
bility of obtaining such information,
I wish to hear no more about consti-
tutional enforcement in this House.
applause, except from the adherents
Of the Bankhead amendment)
X X X
Mr.. Tinkham added:
IT say that If this amendment Is not
adopted, to provide for the carrying out
of the fourteenth amendment in its
full intent and purpose, this House is
House of hypocrites, of nulliflers and
Of men wholly lawless." daughter and
applause--followed by a vote of ayes,
ga: noes, 1903. The amendment sup
porting the franchise Of the Negroes
as a basis of representation was lost.)
60 absentee colersd voters are part