The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-15
REGULATING IMMIGRATION

SENATOR InOmhS w. rainier, OF mlCnl-
gan, on January % called up his bill, TIE
purpose of which is to regulate immigra-
tion," and gave his views upon the subject
to the Senate and to the country. The
theory of Senator Palmer is that in the
future the United States can work out
their grand destiny without the aid Of
European immigrants, and were it possible,
no more Europeans would be permitted to
land upon our shores unless they could es-
tablish to the satisfaction of American
consuls in the countries from whence they
desire TO immigrate, that they are not de
pendent" nor delinquent" nor danger
ous." The laws already forbid the landing
of criminals, paupers, lunatics, idiots and
persons unable to take care of themselves,
but Mr.. Palmer thinks additional legisla-
ton is required, and the terms depend
emf" delinquent" and dangerous" are
added to arrest immigration. Just what is
meant by such terms, Mr.. Palmer does not
explain. Dependent persons may mean
those dependent upon their labor, or it may
mean children dependent upon their par
ents. or parents dependent upon their
children. The term delinquent" has a
wide significance, as for instance, any able
bodied man might want to come to Ameri-
ca to avoid military duty in some Euro
pean despot cursed land. II he
had refused to do military
duty he would be delinquent" and would
be refused the privilege of coming to the
United States. II an Irishmsn, evicted
from his home and thrust into the high
ways TO perish by starvation, he would be
delinquent" tax payer, and would be
denied the privilege of coming to America;
and if in Ireland, Germany, Aus ria or
Russia he had protested against acts of
tyranny which horrify the world, he would
be rated dangerous" and be required to
remain and submit to such cruelties as
despots can devise for men who pant for
liberty. Senator Palmer has placed him.
self squarely on record as the defender of
autocratic rule. He has no word of SYM
pathy for the down.trodden victims of des-
potic power in Europe. 1t would have been
most agreeable il Senator Palmer had en-
lightened the. Senate upon his own lineage
Where did he come from? From what sor
OF foreign stump did he sprout2 Front
what sort OF foreign pit was he digged?
Were his ancestors belted knights and "a
that?" Did they run away from their
country "for their country's good?" 1t is
less than four hundred years since Column
bus discovered the New World. There
are those who profess to see in that dis
covery "Divine Providence" and the
world is soon to celebrate the 400th ami
versary of the event. But Senator Palmer
has discovered that, so far as the United
States is concerned, it would bebetter
to put an end to immigration, 50 far as
the poor, the unfortunate and the oppressed
are concerned; at least none should
be permitted to come who are dependent, ~
Delinquent or dangerous" terms that
may be construed to mean much or little,
or nothing at all, as the caprice Of consult
| may determine.
Senator Palmer produces statistics show
| ing the population of the United States
Il from 1882, when it was 3. 3S9 900, to 1880
when 1t was 90, l55, 7S3, and estimates that
during the intervening period 1000, 00(
immigrants from European countries hav,
been landed, and he estimates the cast
value of this immigration at $13, 200 900,
600; end not content with this showing, b,
proceeds to say that vast as has beer
their (the immigrants') contribution {,
the nations wealth, it by no means meas
ures their proportionate worth in the tota
which represents our civilization and pow
en-" Why, then, this alarm? Why
then, this Know-noihing keynote? Tn
law sgainst the importation of forsigl
laborers on contracts is right
eous law, as also that against Grim
inals, paupers, lunatics, idiots an
persons unable to take care OF themselves
Senator Palmer now wants to exclude 9th
ers from the New World, men as good 9
were his ancestors, possibly better-me
who are neither criminals, paupers, luns
tics, idiots, nor persons unable 10 take car
OF themselves-but immigrants who ar
dependent" delinquent" or "dange
ous," vague terms, and which with littl
effort could be made as UNANIMOUSLY de
potic as any decree that Q Russian despC
ever uttered. Pslmer's bill will not b
come law Immediately. 1t will have
remain on the files until the Republics