BECK in that State which he does not bear both in New Jersey and the District of Columbia. except 25 cents paid in September last for all occupational tax. It is contended that a mere political status meets this requirement of the Constitution. If a political status could be counted the sole qualification for holding this office under the Federal Constitution. a citizen just naturalized and having acquired a voting privilege in his State could sit in Congress. although the Constitution says he must have " been seven years a citizen of the United States " . and likewise. if the citizen is 21 years of age and can vote in his State liecould come to Congress in the face of tile constitutional provision that " no person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained the age of 25 years." The burdens of citizenship are definitely placed on these two classes who are forbidden to hold a seat in Congress. even though their constituents should choose them unanimously. There is no more discrimination against one who has met the requirements for voting ii a State. but who is not an inhabitant of that State within the meaning of our National Constitution. than there is against these others so limited in this privilege. A mere voting privilege is granted by each separate State in its own way. if a voter can satisfy the requirements of a State law. he can exercise the privilege of franchise.
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naturalized