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Editorial
November 23, 1959
The Augusta Courier
Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes New York politicians for importing hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans in the late 1930s to secure votes, placing them on relief, which led to widespread juvenile delinquency and gang violence in the city, necessitating increased police measures.
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THE BREWERY GULCH
PHILOSOPHER SAYS:
Brewery Gulch Gazette, Bisbee, Ariz.
The recent wave of juvenile delinquency in New York City with gangs
of young Puerto Ricans apparently being involved for the most part recalls
the fact that it was some twenty years or so ago that New York
politicians began to import Puerto Ricans by the hundred thousand. Many
were illiterate, nearly all were poverty stricken and great numbers of
them were immediately placed on relief. Nearly all were unskilled and
not many of them could get work, but they were American citizens and
all of the adults could vote. And that was the purpose for which they
were brought to this country. Now, thousands of the youngsters, some
of whom were babies when their parents came and some who were born
here, are members of the gangs that are responsible for the crimes that
have become so numerous that something drastic had to be done to
protect life, limb and property. Mugging, shootings, sex crimes, stabbings
and robberies by the gangs that roam the streets in the residential sections
have made it necessary to increase the police force and to take
other measures to protect the lives of several million citizens. And for
the most part, it all came about because some New York politicians in
the late Thirties needed several hundred thousand more votes to keep
themselves in power. They believed that the easiest way was to bring
in large numbers of the islanders, put them on relief and show them how
to vote. There was plenty of government relief money, so what was
wrong with that?
PHILOSOPHER SAYS:
Brewery Gulch Gazette, Bisbee, Ariz.
The recent wave of juvenile delinquency in New York City with gangs
of young Puerto Ricans apparently being involved for the most part recalls
the fact that it was some twenty years or so ago that New York
politicians began to import Puerto Ricans by the hundred thousand. Many
were illiterate, nearly all were poverty stricken and great numbers of
them were immediately placed on relief. Nearly all were unskilled and
not many of them could get work, but they were American citizens and
all of the adults could vote. And that was the purpose for which they
were brought to this country. Now, thousands of the youngsters, some
of whom were babies when their parents came and some who were born
here, are members of the gangs that are responsible for the crimes that
have become so numerous that something drastic had to be done to
protect life, limb and property. Mugging, shootings, sex crimes, stabbings
and robberies by the gangs that roam the streets in the residential sections
have made it necessary to increase the police force and to take
other measures to protect the lives of several million citizens. And for
the most part, it all came about because some New York politicians in
the late Thirties needed several hundred thousand more votes to keep
themselves in power. They believed that the easiest way was to bring
in large numbers of the islanders, put them on relief and show them how
to vote. There was plenty of government relief money, so what was
wrong with that?
What sub-type of article is it?
Immigration
Partisan Politics
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Puerto Rican Immigration
Juvenile Delinquency
New York Politics
Gang Violence
Voter Importation
Relief Abuse
What entities or persons were involved?
New York Politicians
Puerto Ricans
Juvenile Gangs
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
New York Politicians Importing Puerto Ricans For Votes Leading To Juvenile Crime
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Political Manipulation And Its Consequences
Key Figures
New York Politicians
Puerto Ricans
Juvenile Gangs
Key Arguments
New York Politicians Imported Puerto Ricans In The Late 1930s To Gain Votes
Many Immigrants Were Illiterate, Poor, Unskilled, And Placed On Relief
This Led To Thousands Of Their Children Forming Gangs Committing Crimes Like Muggings, Shootings, And Robberies
Increased Police And Measures Needed To Protect Citizens
Politicians Used Relief Money To Secure Power