The Limitation of Birth
Ithaca Daily Journal, 26 Oct 1901, P. 5, Cols 3-4
"The only argument that thus far has been advanced by the Democrats in favor of the election of Mr. Mone for City Recorder is that he is a life-long resident of Ithaca. By implication it is urged that Recorder Kent should not be elected because he happened not to be born in Tompkins County. Farther than this, those who are not familiar with the facts are asked to look upon Mr. Kent as a "mere outsider," who has been forced upon the people of Ithaca against their will. All this is quite in keeping with the policy of misrepresentation that is the stock-in-trade of the opposition. Now, again, let us see what are the facts in the case.
Ten years ago Willard Kent, a lad of sixteen, came to Ithaca and entered the High School. He was without means, but not without a wholesome ambition. He wanted an education and he was bound to get it. He found employment and thus was able to work his way through the school. His record there shows what sort of a student he was. Those for whom he worked know how faithful he was in his duties. What his school fellows thought of him was shown by their electing him present of the graduating class.
After a year at hard work to get funds for his further education, young Kent entered the Cornell Law School, and in due time was graduated and admitted to the bar. But ever before his admission he had gone into business here, where he had been working and studying for уeаrs. With his admission to the bar came an invitation to form a law partnership with Paul S Livermore. Mr. Livermore thought the fact that Willard Kent was not Ithaca born no bar to such a partnership. He knew the man and was glad to be associated with him in business.
That this partnership does not exist today is owing to the fact that Mr. Kent was appointed to do the work of the Recorder, who was ill, and on the death of Mr. Van Kirk, was appointed to the unexpired term by Governor Odell. The appointment was felt by all the citizens of Ithaca who had watched this young man's course to be a proper recognition of merit. No word of criticism was heard against him as Recorder; no word of criticism was made against him personally. He had won his place on his merits and held it on his merits.
And now that Mr. Kent is a candidate for continuance in the office to which he was appointed no word of criticism is heard, even from his political enemies. no, we will not say enemies, for he has no enemies - no word of criticism is heard even from his political opponents as to his record as Recorder. Surely this is a high compliment to Mr Kent. But it is no compliment to Mr. Mone that his friends are endeavoring to elect him on an issue based on his birthplace. Neither is it a compliment to the intelligence of the citizens of Ithaca. Ithaca has not yet reached that holier-than-thou state, where it bars from public service any but natives. It is glad to welcome such young men as Willard Kent and to recognize ability and pluck and character from whatever source.
It would be interesting to know just where the opponents of Mr. Kent would draw the line. If a ten years' residence does not qualify for citizenship in its largest sense, what does? Would fifteen years, or twenty? Do they propose to say to young men that they are welcome to settle here, and make and spend their money here, and work for the interests of the community, but they must not expect to be selected for public service because they are not Ithacans by birth? Possibly that's the way Mr. Mone's friends feel, but we can assure them that they represent but a small and insignificant part of the people of this city. And of this they will have abundant proof on the 5th of November."