The object of this article is to show the number of foreign born males 21 years of age and over, who, possessing suitable qualifications, have become naturalized voters, and the number of those who, although possessing these qualifications, have failed to comply with the naturalization laws of the United States. Incidentally is also shown the number of persons disqualified from becoming voters on account of illiteracy or the lack of proper length of residence in the country.

It was our intention in the preparation of this article to use the figures supplied by the United States Census of 1900, but upon examination of them we found that this would be impracticable. We append the figures given in the United States Census :

Foreign males 21 years of age and over,
Naturalized,

Number who have taken out first papers,
Aliens,

347,731

151,285

14,808

129,854

Unknown,

51,784

The great number of unknown, 51,784, precluded us from basing our tables upon the United States Census figures, and in their preparation we have relied upon the last State Census.

In order to fully understand the first table, a careful and thorough explanation of the meaning of the column heads is absolutely necessary.

The first column is headed, "Foreign Born Males 20 years of age and over." In the State Census the age period divisions were from 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, etc., there being none ending on 21 years, although, as is well known, that is the year when males become eligible as voters.

The second column includes those who had been in the United States six years or more, and in the third column is given the number of those resident in the United States for less than six years.

The fourth column, headed Number Disqualified," includes, first, all non-voters who are not classified with the naturalized on account of being resident in the town in which enumerated less than six months,

or in the State less than one year; second, all illiterate aliens, and also aliens who have been in the United States less than six years; third, males just 20 years of age at the time of the enumeration; and fourth, paupers, convicts, and idiots, and those of unknown political condition, the number of these latter being very small comparatively.

The fifth column is headed, "Number of Eligible Citizens." By this heading is meant the number of foreign born males, being of suitable age, literate, and long enough resident in the United States to become eligible as citizens.

The sixth column shows the number of naturalized voters, and needs no particular explanation.

The seventh column, headed "Aliens who could become Voters but who have not," is evidently the difference between the figures contained in the fifth and sixth columns; the number of naturalized voters being subtracted from the number of eligible citizens, the difference is the number of aliens who could become voters, that is, obtain full citizenship, but who have failed to comply with the naturalization laws.

The left hand column, headed" Place of Birth or Descent," includes not only the foreign born males born in the country specified, and of such descent, but also those males born in other foreign countries whose parents or whose fathers were born in the country specified.

We now present the table, the composition of which we have endeavored to make plain to the reader.

The whole number of foreign born males considered in the table is 311,789. Of these, 244,622 had been residents in the United States six years or over, while 67,167 had lived in the United States for less than six years. The disqualified numbered 100,040. Subtracting the number disqualified from the whole number of foreign born males leaves 211,749, being the number of eligible citizens. Of these, 138,148 had

become naturalized voters, leaving a total of 73,601 aliens who could become voters but have not.

Reduced to percentages, we find that the eligible citizens who have. become voters represent 65.24 per cent of the whole number of foreign born males eligible as voters, while 34.76 per cent of the citizens who were eligible have not become voters.

The plan followed in analyzing the total line for the State should be applied to the line for each particular country. We will consider the presentation for Ireland. The number of foreign born males 20 years of age and over born in Ireland or of Irish descent was 113,699. Of these, 101,722 had lived in the United States six years or more, while 11,977 had lived in the United States less than six years. The number disqualified was 24,725. The number of eligible citizens, or foreign born males of Irish birth or descent eligible to become voters, was 88,974; of these, 69,970 had become voters, while 19,004 had failed to comply with the naturalization laws of the United States. In other words, 78.64 per cent had become naturalized, while 21.36 per cent of those eligible were still aliens.

Considering the last two columns of the table, devoted to percentages, in connection with each country specified in the table, we find that of the French Canadians eligible as voters, 45.99 per cent had become voters, while 54.01 per cent remained aliens; of those of English birth or descent, 66.86 per cent had become voters, while 33.14 per cent were still aliens; of the English Canadians, 48.39 per cent were voters and 51.61 per cent aliens; of the Nova Scotians, 46.83 per cent were voters and 53.17 per cent aliens; of the Swedes, 53.32 per cent were voters and 46.68 per cent aliens; of the Italians, 37.22 per cent were voters and 62.78 per cent aliens; of the Russians, 43.99 per cent were voters and 56.01 per cent aliens; of the Scotch, 62.35 per cent were voters and 37.65 per cent aliens; of the Germans, 74.31 per cent were voters and 25.69 per cent aliens; of the Portuguese, 46.91 per cent were voters and 53.09 per cent aliens; of the Poles, 41.79 per cent were voters and 58.21 per cent aliens; of the persons born in New Brunswick, 51.18 per cent were voters and 48.82 per cent aliens; of those born in Newfoundland, 44.99 per cent were voters and 55.01 per cent aliens; of those born in Prince Edward Island, 51.12 per cent were voters and 48.88 per cent aliens; of the French, 53.94 per cent were voters and 46.06 per cent aliens; of the Welsh, 69.57 per cent were voters and 30.43 per cent aliens; of persons born in other foreign countries not mentioned in detail, 47.32 per cent were voters and 52.68 per cent aliens.

It will be noticed that in the case of the Irish, English, Germans, and Welsh, the percentage of voters was in excess of the general average for the State. The lowest percentage was shown in the case of the Italians; of those eligible as voters only 37.22 in the hundred had become so, while 62.78 in the hundred still remained aliens.

The figures given in the second table are drawn from those shown in the first, but a new series of percentages are secured, showing the proportion of naturalized, disqualified, and of possible voters, for the State as a whole, and for each place of birth or descent.

Considering the State line, we find that of the 311,789 foreign born males 20 years of age and over, 44.31 per cent were naturalized and 32.08 per cent disqualified, while 23.61 per cent were possible voters. In other words, they could read and write and had lived in the country, State, or town long enough to become eligible as voters; they had not, however, complied with the naturalization laws of the United States, and for that reason only were debarred from full citizenship.

The line for Ireland shows that 61.54 in the hundred had become voters; 21.75 in the hundred were disqualified; while 16.71 in the hundred were possible voters who had not complied with the naturalization laws of the United States, though otherwise qualified.

Considering the column of percentages headed "Naturalized," we find that of the Irish, English, Germans, and Welsh, more than 50 in the hundred had become naturalized. In the case of the Italians, Russians, Portuguese, and Poles, more than 60 in the hundred were disqualified.

At the time of taking the last State Census, there were but 73,601 aliens in the State who possessed the necessary qualifications to become voters, who had not complied with the naturalization laws of the United States; of these Ireland supplied 19,004; Canada (French) 10,927; England 9,004; Canada (English) 5,716; and Nova Scotia 5,524.

It is not deemed necessary to repeat in text any more of the figures shown in the tables. Reference has been made to some of them in order to show the correct manner of reading the tables. It is believed that these tables present in a compact form all desirable details connected with the question of aliens and voters, and at the same time supply a basis for comparison with figures of a like nature to be secured by future censuses.