The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-15
BY TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON.

Message of the President IN the Treat
ment of Emigrants.
WASHINGTON, May lathe President to-day
sent the following message to Senate and
House of Representatives:
In my message to Congress at the beginning of
present session allusion was made 10 the hard
ships and privations inflicted on poor emigrants
on shipboard and upon arrival ON our shores
and suggestion was made favOring National
legislation for the purpose Of effecting radical
cure of the evil. Promise was made that q
special message on the subject would be pre-
scented during the present session should infor-
nation be received which would warrant it. l
now have sent to the two houses of Congress
all that has been officially received since that
time bearing upon the subject, and recon-
mended that such legislation be had as will Sc
cure, first, such room and accommodation on
shipbOard as is necessary for the health and
comfort, and such privacy as will not compel
emgrants to be unwilling witnesses to 50 much
vice and misery; second, legislation to protect
them upon their arrival at our seaports, from
the knaves who are ever ready to despoil them
of the little they are able to bring with them.
Such legislation will be in the interest of hui
mainly and seems to be fully iustifable. The
emigrant is not the citizen of any State or ter
ritory upon his arrival, but comes here to be-
come citizen of a great Republic, free to
change his residence at will-to enjoy the bless
ings of a protecting government, where all are
equal before the law, and to add to the natural
wealth by his industry.
On his arrival he does not know States or
corporations, but confides implicitly in the pro-
tecting arm of the great free country, of which
he has heard so much before leaving his native
lands.
Ii is a source of serious disappointment and
encouragement to those who start with means
insufficient TO support them comfortably until
they can choose a residence and begin employ
ment for a comfortable support, to find them
selves subject to i'll treatment and every dis
comfort on their passage here, on their journeys
end here TO be seized upon by professed friends,
claiming a legal right to take charge of them
for their protection, who do not leave them till
all their resources are exhausted, when they
are abandoned in strange land surrounded by
strangers without employment, ignorant of the
means of securing il under the present SYSTEM
This is the fate of thousands annually. The
exposures on shipboard and the treatment on
landing, driving thousands to lives of vice and
shame, who with proper and humane treat
ment might become useful and respectable
members Of society. l do not advise national
legislation in affairs that should be regulated
by the States, but see no subject more nation
al in it's character than provision for the safety
and welfare of the thousands who leave foreign
lands to become citizens of this Republic.
When their residence is chosen they may then
look to the laws oftheirlocaity for protection and
guidance. The mass of immigrants arriving on
| our shores, coming as they do, on vessels under
| foreign flags makes treaties with the nations
furnishing these immigrants, necessary for theil
| complete protection. For more than two years
| efforts have been made on our part to secure
such treaties and there is now reasonable
ground to hope for su ccess
(Signed,) q. s. GRANT.
The Emigrant Message.
At the evening session of the House ther,
| was some discussion of the Presidents message
relative to the treatment of immigrants Brooks
of New York, expressing the belief that the
President was sadly misinformed while Messrs
Bingham and Butler conceded with views Of
the President. The message was referred t,
| Committee on Commerce
The Supplementary Treaty.
The submission of the new article of tn,
Treaty of Washington to the Senate is with tn,
view of obtaining opinion of that body upon i
to guide the President in his formal action il
the negotiation. In other words its not nov
before the Senate for notification. Although
there has not been any general expression as Il
the result, the opinion obtains that the Senat
will favorably advise the President in tn
premises.