Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-09-04

From the official statistics concerning
immigration, it appears that there has
been a large falling off during the past
year, as compared with the last two or
three years. such Il falling off has been
predicted, and seems indeed necessary
from the nature of the case For the past
five years the stream of immigration
which has been pouring into this country
has been enormous. The official tables
show that during the five years ending
June 30, 1850, the whole number OF immi-
grants landing in this country has bee II
2,96S, l5S; while during the five previous
years the number of immigrants was only
l. lOO,OOO 1t is IA serious question, whether
on the whole such volume of immigra-
ton as this is conducive to the
welfare of the country. The differ
ence between an uneducated and
unassimiated body of immigrants and
"a corresponding number of native
born American citizens is very great. The
process of converting the foreign into an
American citizen is one which brings no
small strain upon our people. The larger
proportion of the adults who come to this
country with the purpose of making it
their home are unfit for the privileges of
American citizenship, and long course
of training is necessary before they can
be made responsible and helpful members
of the community. Thousands of the i'm
migrants who land on our shores belong
to II degraded, lawleSs and dangerous
class. The demand upon our legal and
punitive institutions, caused by this
] T. il nt hot
| leaving out of the account altogether the
unhealthful influence of such importa-
lions upon the people, the cost of convert
ing them into reputable citizens-if, iu-
deed, this is ever accomplishments tell
heavily upon the resources of the country.
OF course there are compensations in
the matter. While many are destitute,
others of the immigrants bring good
deal of money to this country; and they
aid in building up the waste tracts of
land, and supply labor when labor is
needed. Some are desirable and law
abiding citizens. On the whole, doubt
less, it is true that the country can now
| get along very well without any great
further infusion of foreign blood. Yet all
industrious and law.abiding immi grants
who choose to come will be made welcome
as heretofore and if all of them are not
what we want their children, born here,
may, and generally Will, make good
American citizens
One by one the Republican candidates
for the New York goyernorship step down
and out. Mr. Evarts does not want it :
Judge Andrews will not take it. In our
estimation, lie Grand b. Cannon is the
man for the place. He is IA staunch Re
publican, man of the soundest political
views and tie strictest political principles
and his administration, should he be elect
ed, would be marked by consistency and
ability. Let the Republican business men
of New York boom lie Grand b. Cannon.
The books of the clerk in the Office of
the collector ut Washington,who issues dog
licenses show that more dogs have been
named after Gen. Benjamin +. Butler than
any other public man. We cannot under
stand this. In the language of the min
strels, II dog is honest and true. Buffers
no QOu-I boston Post