Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1888 — Citizenship of the Chinese. [ARTICLE]

Citizenship of the Chinese.

Chicago Inter Ocean. There have been much difference of opinion on this question and some important decisions of State courts, but the question has not been authoritatively decided as yet. The alien act of 1870 contains this clause: “The provisions of this title shall apply to aliens being free white persons and to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent.” Judge Sawyer, of the United States Circuit Court in California, decided some years ago that this clause excluded the Chinese from the privileges, of naturalization. Several Circuit Judges’ have followed this decision, but the New York Court of Common Pleas has taken an entirely different view, several Chinese having been naturalized in that State. Other States have in a few instances admitted Chinamen to naturalization privileges, but the United States has not yet decided as to their right to do so. An interesting case, that may result in an authoritative statement as to the rights of the Chinese, is that of Yong Hen Chang, a young Chinaman who has been educated in this country. He is a Yale College graduate, and after taking the regular course at Columbia College law school he was refused naturalization papers. The New York Legislature passed a special act last spring authorizing the State Supreme Court to waive the question of his alienage, but the court declined to do so, and, refused to admit the applicant to the bar on the ground that aliens can not practice law. Chang subsequently procured his naturalization papers, and renewed his. application to the cour% but the matter has not vet been decided.