Vol. 55, No. 14, October 5, 1962. 4 pages. View this issue
Idaho’s constitution barred Chinese and persons of Mongolian descent, even naturalized citizens, from voting, serving on juries and holding civil office. This four-page issue followed the JACL campaign to remove that clause through SJR 1, on the November ballot. George Sugai reported on how legislators understood the language of the law, and a P.C. Staff fact sheet answered voters’ questions on the history of the clause and how to mark the ballot. Two editorials, one drawing a parallel with voting-rights denials in Mississippi, urged chapters and members to educate voters.
The campaign continued on page 4, where Rupert Hachiya described the intermountain district’s work and Elmer Ogawa wrote about door-to-door efforts in eastern Idaho. On page 3, Bill Hosokawa paid tribute to the courage and perseverance of the Issei pioneers.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Legislators Understood Discriminatory Language of Law Barring Orientals Suffrage Rights, Job Now With Voters, by George Sugai, page 1. Idaho’s constitution contained a provision barring Chinese and persons of Mongolian descent, even naturalized citizens, from voting, serving on juries, and holding civil office. JACL is campaigning to repeal the outdated clause through SJR 1 on the November ballot.
- Idaho SJR 1: Questions & Answers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A fact sheet from the Committee for Vote Yes on SJR 1 explains that the amendment would remove the discriminatory clause from the Idaho Constitution. It answers questions on the history, constitutionality, and how voters should mark the ballot.
- Issei Virtues Extolled in Okura Tribute, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa honors the courage and perseverance of Issei pioneers at a tribute to Okura. He reflects on their struggles against prejudice and their contributions to America.
- Intermountain Looks for Victory at Idaho Ballot Box, by Rupert Hachiya, page 4. IDC Chairman Rupert Hachiya reports on the intermountain district’s campaign to pass SJR 1 through personal contact and chapter action. He describes organizing efforts and the broad support received across the region.
- Pushing SJR 1 in Eastern Idaho, by Elmer Ogawa, page 4. A regional column describes local JACL chapters and volunteers soliciting support for SJR 1 through door-to-door contact and community organizations. It notes endorsements from civic groups and the coordination of chapter efforts.
Commentary
- Vigilance—The Price of Liberty, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial draws a parallel between voting-rights denials in Mississippi and Idaho’s constitutional ban on naturalized Japanese and Chinese Americans voting. It praises the Idaho JACL campaign to repeal the provision and urges voters to support SJR 1.
JACL
- The JACL and SJR 1, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reviews how the Idaho repeal effort began, from the Coeur d’Alene Press story to the 1961 legislative repeal vote and the placement of SJR 1 on the 1962 ballot. It calls on chapters and members to actively educate voters.
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