Is the Mayor a British Subject?
Tacoma's political scene erupted over rumors regarding Mayor Wright's naturalization status.
The one absorbing topic of conversation in Tacoma since last evening has been the mayor's inexplicable refusal to answer The Times' question as to whether he is a naturalized citizen of the United States, or still a subject of the English crown. Men of both parties, including prominent Democrats as well as Republicans, condemn the mayor's petulant attitude as childish in the extreme. Before The Times published one word concerning the rumors current as to his nationality, the mayor was politely asked to give the facts. Instead of acting like a man of affairs, Mayor Wright replied in effect: 'Find out if you can. It's none of the public's business anyhow.'
“Instead of acting like a man of affairs, Mayor Wright replied in effect: 'Find out if you can. It's none of the public's business anyhow.'”
In the early 20th century, anti-immigrant sentiment and nativist suspicion often bled into local political campaigns. Mayor Wright's refusal to disclose his status turned a routine inquiry into a scandal about civic belonging.
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