Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-21


Nh. sPISoLAs MINORITY REPORT.
As stated in Saturdays STAR. Mr. Ford chair
man of the House committee that investigated
immigration last summer. reported a bill to
regulate the admission of foreigners to this
country. and with it submitted report giving
the conclusions reached by majority of the
committee.
PROM THE INQUIRY THEY HAVE MADE"
the committee says, ''they believe that the
time has now come to draw the line to select
the good from the bad and to sift the wheat
from the chat. To any person familiar with
the results of the committees investigation it
must be apparent that this country cannot
properly assImilate the immigration now COM
ing 10 our shores.
Take the class of persons known anarch-
lists. for instance. A few years ago they prin-
clpally lived In Germany. The officials OF that
empire determined to get rid of them. Their
newspapers were suppressed; they were forbid
den to hold meetings; they were prosecuted IN
different ways, until Germany became an I'M
pleasant abiding place for them. They then
1mmigrated to England in large numbers, but
the officials there made it so uncomfortable
for them that they came to the United States,
Here they have proven a lawless. turbulent
class. and the whole country is familiar with
their recent acts of violence.
These disOrderly persons do not come here
TO uphold and maintain our form of govern
ment. Their object and purpose is to destroy
and tear ii to pieces. They hold any law in
contempt which does not meet with their indi-
yidual appreciation. and believe disobediencs
TO it is perfectly justifiable. This class of per-
sons, in the Judgment of tine committee. ought
to be rigidly excluded from entering this
country.
Generally speaking, the class of immigrants
who have lately been imported and employed
in the coal regions of this country are not such.
in the opinion of the committee, would
l.. IL - H.. I'll
States. They are of a very low order of in
.ellgence. They do not come here with the
intention of becoming citizens; their whole
purpose being to accumulate by parsimonlous.
rigid and unhealthy economy a sum of money
and then return to their native land They
live in miserable sheds like beasts; the food
they eat is so meager, scant unwholesome,
and revolving. that it would nauseate and dis
gust an American workman. and he
would find il difficult to sustain life
upon it, Their habits are vicious, their
customs disgusting, and the effect
of their presence here upon our social condi-
ton is to be deplOred. They have not the in
huences, as We understand them. of a home;
they do not know what the word means; and,
in the opinion of the committee, no amount OF
effort would improve their morals or "Ameri-
caniZe" this class of immigrants. They have
been brought here in such numbers. and have
been employed at such low wages, that il has
resulted in their replacing the American citi-
zen who formerly performed this class of
labor, until now
THERE ARE COMPARATIVELY FEW AMERICANS
engaged in mining coal in Pennsylvania.
The agents of steamship companies in por-
tOns of Europe have been active IN inducing.
encouraging and stimulating immigration to
this country through false representations.
For the purpose of greed these men have ex-
aggerated the advantages and benefits to be
derived by persons immigrating to this coun-
try, and have been guilty of erroneous state
ments in order to secure their commission
upon the price of a passage ticket to such an
extent that some localities in Europe have
been nearly depOpulated. and the poor deluded
immigrant has come to the United States. ar
irving here absolutely penniless. to find out
that the statements made by the steamship
agents were absolutely false, and, in many in
stances, after a short time. he has become a
public charge. The number of immigrants
who have thus been induced to come to the
United States cannot be exactly stated, but it
amounts to many thousands.
practice has prevailed among certain for
eigners residing in this country of importing
men for the purpose of contracting them to
perform service chiefly in the construction of
railroads. The principal Is connected with
numerous agents in Europe, who scour the
country, picking up laboreTs. The agent pays
the expense of bringing them to the United
States, but takes an agreement from each one
to repay to the principal, within certain time.
sum usually more than twice as large as the
actual cost of the transportation. Upon their
lilcl are entirely unUeT IDe cOnErOl OF
the principal. and are subject to many imposi-
tions and frauds at his hands, and in some in
stances are kept in almost state of slavery.
They come here with no intention of becoming
citizens. but merely for the purpose of accumu-
lating small sum of money, with which to re-
turn TO their homes. If sickness or distress
Overtakes them in this country.
THEY BECOME PUBLIC CHARGES
Many thousands have been brought here
in this manner
Along the frontier bordering upon Canada it
is the practice for aliens to perform labor in the
United States. coming over in the morning
and returning to Canada in the evening. At
Detroit. IN the state OF Michigan, ii was ascer-
tanned that great many aliens are so EMPLOYED
notably in the building trades. The testimony
shows that about eight hundred carpenters and
ioiners. subjects of Great Britain. perform la
Dor IN that city, and that about the same
number of American citizens of that occupa-
ton are lying idle. because they cannot obtain
employment.
The committee will not particularze further
but ask that the testimony be carefully pc
rused. Certainly the effect of the present I'M
restricted system of immigration. as applica-
bic to the conditions under consideration upon
the industrial situation of this country. has
been very bad. and the committee believe that
the time has come when immigration should
be more effectively regulated: that persons
who inmigrate to the United States should at
least be composed of those who in good faith
desire to become its citizens and are worthy to
be such"
A MINORITY REPORT.
Mr.. Spinola, in a minority report, states that
he Is opposed TO head tax of more than one
dollar for each immigrant believing this sum
to be sufficient to meet all the required ex-
penses necessary to conduct the department of
immigration. He also disagrees with the ma
iority in regard to any change of existing law
limiting the number of passengers to each 100
tons of the vessel conveying the immigrants
considering. as he does, that the safeguards of
the present law are sufficient. He is of opinion
that the committee was charged only with the
duty Of making thorough and full investiga-
ton. and to report bill effectually to protect
the country from a flood of paupers. lunatics
idiots and cripPles. entirely incapable of self
support, thereby becoming a charge upon the
country and adding greatly to the burdens of
the people. Another Subject of investigation.
requiring consideration by the committee was
10 check or prevent the influx of criminals as
well as TO wipe out thoroughly the unjust and
injurious system OF the importation of labor
ers and mechanics under contrast made abroad
at a very much lower rate of compensation than
the wages paid in this country, to the great in
Jury OF our own mechanics and workmen So
far as the bill of the majority deals with those
propositions. the minority is prepared to 90 to
any length in advocacy of a proper measure in
order TO shut out paupers. lunatics. idiots Grip
pies and thieves. well as all evil-doers WHO
come here TO practice their wickedness and fill
our pOOrhOuses and prisons Mr. SninoIa do