Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-23

migration laws are being enforced.
This resolution passed the House last
July, and the Speaker appointed Alr.
Ford chairman of the committee. An in
yestigation was begun and IS still in pro-
gress. Up TO the present time the com
mittee have worked chiefly in New York
city. The evidence they have taken has
shown an alarming state Of affairs. They
discovered that it is the practice of most
steamship lines TO have agents in every
village and hamlet of southern Europe,
who use every artitce to induce people TO
buy tickets to America. There is class
Of Italians in this country who make
business of Importing common laborers
in large numbers. The committee ex-
amined large number Of these laborers,
and did not in a single instance find
man who intended TO become a citizen OF
the United States. Taking all the i'm
migrants together within the last eight
years. 1850, $50 people have come to
the United States. A large proper
ton OF these people were common la
borers, n great number of whom had
come here by reason of false statements
as to the condition of the labor market
here, and the effect upon the laboring
men of the United States 10y this forced,
induced, and stimulating immigration,
has been very depressing. in Boston
the committee discovered that of all the
fishermen engaged in the New England
fishing industries - per cent. were
aliens, subjects of Great Britain. and
also that five thousand people go 10 the
port OF Boston every year from Nova
Scotia and New brunswick to work
in this country during the summer
months and to go back in the fall.
The evidence also disclosed that
society exists in England whose object
is the expectation of paupers and poor
people, and that in one year there were
over four thousand such persons landed
in Boston who were assisted to inmigrate
by that society. Also. that in Munich,
Bavaria, there exists society for the
expectation OF incorrigible criminals
men who are totally lost 10 reformation.
Prince Leopold is the honorary presi-
dent of it, and in the year 1886 that
society shipped thirty-seven such men to
the United States. England and Swift
erland both encourage their convicts 10
emigrate to America, end in. many in
stances have released convicts from phi
son before the expiration of their SEN
fences upon the expressed condition that
they would come here and the officials
have paid the passage OF those
criminals and shipped item here
TLoea ava Tho 1ao1,rO footnraa sO far
developed OF the report to be presented
to Congress of an investigation which
cannot but lead to important results.
We notice that Mr.. Ford has been nomi-
mated for the Fifty-frst Congress. His
services 10 the present one are hopeful
of his great usefulness in the future.
Speaking recently at meeting Of his
supporters he said: 81 believe the time
has come when We should really and
truly protect the American laborer.
would let no immigrant come here IN
less he intended to become O citizen of
the United States. Induced and stimu-
lated immigration should cease. The
importation of laborers under contract
should be stopped; and as one member
OF the committee Will say we propose
TO stop it il we can. We shall offer
measure and endeavor to pass it before
the present session adiourna If not
then at the next session of the present
Congress and If We cannot do it in this
Congress we will do it in the next Con-
gress. That is to say, SO far as l am
concerned, provided / am reelected to
the next Congress" The work done by
Mr.. Ford is not of partisan character,
and good citizens of every political faith
recognize its merits and usefulness.
Melbourne II. Ford, who lives at Grand
Rapids, Mich, was born at Saline, that
State, on June 80, 1919. He was edu-
Gated at the Michigan Agricultural Col
lege and at the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Nd. Mr.. Ford
enlisted in the navy towards the close OF
the war. When the struggle was ended
the President appointed him q mid
shipman. He is fond OF telling the story
OF the manner in which he passed
his examination. The Congressman
is blind in one eye, but the examin-
ing committee did not discover it,
his examination as 10 color
blindness was most rigid one. AS
a n II n