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About The united American : a magazine of good citizenchip. (Portland, Or.) 1923-1927 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1925)
THE UNITED AMERICAN JANUARY, 1925 Page Eleven A Question and Answer Page for Foreign-Born Questions on Americanization, Naturalization, Citizenship, Civil Rights and all matters of importance in regard to the necessary adjustments for foreign-born who have come here for the purpose of remaining permanently, will 'be answered promptly and as fully as possible, By Judge J. A. Buchanan, President Astoria Americanization Council in Astoria, and by H. J. Langoe, Editor The United Amer- lean. Anyone asking a question may request that it be published under such pseudonym as he desires but the questioner must in all instances sign his correct name and address to the letter that accompanies the question. Anonymous questions will not be published or answered in this forum. People who are living in Astoria and vicinity may address their questions directly to Judge Buchanan. Question. have restored to you your citizenship, you would explain what the word means Dear Editor: — As we get the United which you forfeited under the previous we would be very glad.... Edw. Karmo. American I would like your opinion on the naturalization law by marrying an alien. Answer. question of citizenship. In 1910 I married It is true that at the time your husband The word “Republic,” like so many a foreigner although he was- educated took out his first paper, an alien pos words in all modern languages, is of in America, coming to this country when sessing such a document of his inten Latin origin. It is derived from the two he was ten years of age. He took out tions, could register and vote in Oregon, latin words “Res” and “Publica.” Res his first paper and as you know he but as that practice was discontinued means things and Public means public could vote on that. In 1923 he was fully in Oregon many years previous to the or people. Joined together these two naturalized, but I am told that I, an passing of the Cable act of 1922, which words mean “the people’s things,” or American born, am not an American changed our naturalization code as re “the people’s affairs” or, more definitely unless I get naturalized too. I do not ferred to, the realization that your expressed, “the things or affairs of think the law is right to take away a husband was an alien and that you by government belonging to the people.” In woman’s birthright just because she marrying him had technically lost your the building of languages the attempt has married a foreigner. Is that a crime? birthright, should have caused him to always been make to express in one word, In school I was taught you had to seek citizenship before he did, if not for where possible, a definite meaning commit a terrible crime against your himself so much as for you. When he originally requiring several words, country to lose your birthright. Was finally did in 1923, the law had been hence the modernization of Res Publica I this a terrible crime? And I know a changed and his naturalization could producing the word “Republic,” meaning woman who is a foreigner who married no longer restore you to citizenship by a government where the people rule. This I a foreigner who was naturalized and any act on his part. Under these circum does not, however, mean, as so many I she became an American. What right stances, which have technically made you people argue, that a republic is not a re I has she to be an American Without an alien, there is only one thing for you public unless the people make their own I being naturalized, while I will have to to do, and that is to apply for restoration laws by the direct vote of the individual. I go through a lot of red -tape if I want of your citizenship through the machinery A republic, being a form of government I my birthright back? I didn’t know of naturalization. Any number of Ameri by the people,, the people have the right I that by marrying I would lose all right can-born women who married aliens to determine more specifically how they I to this country. What is your opinion? before September of 1922 have had to are to be governed and establish such A Reader of the United American. do this very thing to regain their citizen rules as the majority believe in. The ship rights, lost through such marriages. people of THIS republic established a I Answer. Your case is one of many thousands You will not, however, be required to take representative system, and while in some I of American born women who married out the customary “First Paper” or Decla states the people have initiated a direct I foreign-born men before September, 1922. ration of Intention. You will only be re machinery of action and may enact laws I At that time a law enacted by Congress quired to apply for “final” papers and go by popular voting the big majority of I went into effect which materially through the formality according to law. the people of the United States are still I changed the conditions of which you The Naturalization office in the Post in favor of having their legislation done I speak. Since the enactment of this law, Office Building, Broadway and Glisan, by representatives elected by the people. It affords greater protection and is a I no American born woman will lose her will give you further particulars. I American citizenship rights through While you are a victim of circumstances 'safeguard against the dangers of passion and thoughtless action by the untrained- I marriage in this country with a foreign- over which you no longer have any con- I born resident who is not a citizen of the rol, you can see that .the new law has put and uneducated who invariably are led to vote against their best interests. Season I United States. His status, though he a stop to the practices of which you are I may never become naturalized, will not complaining, and that henceforth Ameri ed and mature thinking is always prefer I at any time effect his native-born Ameri can women will be protected in their able to rash action. According to that can wife’s status in citizenship. Like citizenship rights regardless of their principle, the American people are con wise, since this law went into effect, no marrying aliens, as well as preventing ducting their republic, a true type of foreign-born woman can obtain citizen an alien woman from automatically Res Publica—a government where think ship here through marrying an American, becoming a citizen of America, even the ing people conduct their affairs of a citizen in his own right through birth very d'ay she lands, if she just happens government with more than one hundred or naturalization. Under the new law to marry an American citizen. In view million members taking part. — H. J. L. every foreign-born adult, women as well of these facts there is no justification for as men desiring American citizenship, resentment against the law, even in your Question. Dear Editor: — We have no citizen I must qualify inidvidually for naturaliza- case, but the situation is one of many I tion. The foreign-born wife of an alien, instances in our lives when we have to ship school here in the Nehalem Valley. Eino P. I who takes no step to become citizen of go to a great deal of trouble in doing Why not? ■ the United States, will remain an alien a thing that would have been so easy Answer. B though her foreign-born husband may and caused so little effort if we had not Citizenship schools are unfortunately B become naturalized- upon application, been inclined to be just a little negligent. as yet only conducted in the main cities H. J. L. and towns of the West. There is now ■ provided he can qualify according to law B after having lived continuously in this a movement on foot in the legislature B country for five years. Had your to put Americanization training on a Question. B husband sought to become an American state-wide basis. If it carries you will ■ citizen in the period between 1910, when Editor The United American: — We shortly have a citizenship teacher also ■ you were married, and September 1922, have had some discussion about the in the Nehalem school districts. B bis naturalization would automatically meaning of the word “Republic.” — H. J. L. .«¿Site 1 i J I I- MB
