New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-06
TIE TANJGRATION ETIL.

The statistics of immigration, to the reports OF
our consuls at those points of cmbarkation
from which the undesirable classes Of immi-
grants chiefly come, and to the records of our
prisons. almshouses and other places of refuge,
TO be convinced that il is high time for Con-
Dress TO pass such law of restriction and sur
VIGILANCE as Senator Palmer has introduced for
the prevention of any further influx of paupers,
criminals and social wolves from abroad. There
need be no misunderstanding about the purpose
or character of the legislation demanded. NO
body wants TO bar the door against any person
who comes here desiring to partakc OF the
abundant advantages of American life. capable
Of appreciating his improved fortunes and will
ing to give in return for them loyal obedience
to all our laws Considering that here he finds
a larger measure OF individual freedom
higher standard Of wages and a much wider
market for whatever talent he possesses than
exist anywhere else on the carh's surface. this
is little enough to ask.
The time has long since gone, however,
when alien assistance is required for the de-
velopmcnt Of orr resources III the tide OF I'M
migration were cut off short, it would take
less than a century. according 10 the natural
law Of increase, to make the United States as
tbicIsly settled as Europe. 1t is not desirable
TO throw away our advantages. The signs OF
general discomfort among workmcn and the
plainly nervous disposition of capital are due
to no one circumstance so much as TO the influx
Of hordes of semi-barbarians who care nothing
for law or human rights. and of large masses
Of creatures devoid of all honorable ambition,
willing to work for mere pittance and con-
tent to live after fashion cheap and filthy
enough to disgust dog. Since the enactment
Of the Passenger Act in 1919, and up to Octo-
her l., 1887, the number of actual Immigrants
into America was Il, 266, go. OF these S,426,-
534 have arrived since the war was ended'
Undoubtedly our foreign population has been
Il source of wealth and strength to the Union.
According to commonly accepted authorities
their cash value upon landing cannot be fixed
at less than SIS 600, 100000. They have
taken great part in the county's progressive
march. and most Of them are full of American
spirit
II is in their interest no less than in that OF
nativc-born citizens that the worthless and
dangerous classes should be kept out what
roonortion these bear to the whole body OF
cmigrants cannot be accurately stated, but 1t
is known that since 1872 the flow of paupers
and fanatics has been alarmingy great. Since
then 5.39G,416 immigrants have arrived
Only Gl9,152 Cf these have protested any trade.
Over 100000 have acknowledged them
selves to be wholly without occupation and
nearly all of these Of races difficult OF as
similaton with an Anglo-Saxon people, def
Gent in intcll gence. wanting III industry ana
purpose and politically diseased. The result
Of this dark tide among us is partially disclosed
NV the last census returns which showed that
they constituted nearly one-half the population
Of the houses of correction, moro than ono
fourth of the insane, nearly one-fourth OF the
babtual criminals, and more than third OF
the paupers.
Sucb later returns as are available show a
condition of things much worse. In this State,
| for instance, out Of G8 529 committed paupcrs,
Al.454 are of foreign birth; the foreign insane
actually confined in public institutions arc
about So per cent of the total while two-thirds
| Of the criminal convictions in 1886 were OF
alien people These figures. eloquent as they
are. tell but small part of the story of injury
| that is being done in America to labor, to the
| ,n,blic morals and to the public treasury by
| reason Of unrestricted immigration. Our con-
sular reports teen with warnings to the Coy
| crnment Having had extensive opportunities
| Of observing the Slovacks. the BOhemians the
| Poles. the Russian Jews and such other races oil
| Central and Southern Europe as supply these
| Objectionable immigrants, our consuls implorc
the Government for power to prevent their
| departure for America This is the only way
| to cure the evil. 1t should be adopted promptly.
| America is willing ever to remain the home of
the oppressed and unfortunate, but it must not
continue an asylum for yermin.