Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-01-25
/ III. SEN TlNEI..
ROCK WILLIE. MD.
Friday Morning. January %, 1889
EVILS OF UNRESTRICTED IAMT.
Ora TON

GRAIION.
We see by the proceedings of the House
oil Representatives on Saturday last that
Mr.. Ford, of Michigan, from the Committee
on Immigration, reported bill on the sub
iect. 1t is matter of such great interest
to the entire country that it is thought it
will be likely to pass at the present session.
The report accompanying the bill begins
with a recital of the existing statutes upon
the subject of convict and pauper labor, and
immigration generally. 1t says that great
many witnesses have been sworn and
large amount Of testimony has been taken.
The investigation was more extended at
New York than at any other place because
the great majority Of immigrants are re-
ceived there, although it was obvious TO the
committee that 1t was almost impossible TO
properly inspect the large number of per-
sons who arrive daily at Castle Garden dur
ing the immigrant season. Nor did II con-
fine its sessions to New York alone, but
held protracted sessions at Boston, Pitts
burg and Detroit.
The testimony taken upon the subject OF
pauper immigration cenclusively shows that
there arc thousands Of alien paupers, insane
persons and idiots annually landed to this
country, who become burden upon the
States and counties where they gain a set
Element, many of whom are aided and as
sisted to emgrate by the officials oil the
country whence they came. AS no inspec-
ton is made ot immigrants along the border
between Canada and the United States, large
numbers of alien paupers, insane persons
and Others not lawfully entitled to enter the
United States by this way, that during six
months being estimated at $4,000
The report recites testimony To show that
criminals are shipped to the United States
by officials OF foreign governments, an asso'
citation Tor this purpose existing in Germany,
aud the Officials OF Great Britain and Switz
erland have persisted in this course, even
alter having been requested by our Govern
ment to discontinue
vi the contract labor law, the report says
that it is easily evaded, and, to large ex-
tent, in spirit, while the letter is usually OBJ
served. The committee believes that the
enforcement OF all acts to regulate inlmgra
ton should be intrusted 10 the Federal Gov.
ernment and not " the States.
On the subject of immigration generally
alter speaking iavorably of its benefits in the
past, says:
From the inquiry We have made We be
lieve that the tune has now come to draw
the line Take the class of person.
known as Anarchists, for instance.
TINS ciass OF persons, IN the Judgment d
the committee, ought 10 be rigidly excluded
from entering this country. Generally speak
ing, the Glass OF immigrants who have lately
been imported and employed in the coal re
gioiIs ul this country are not such, In the
opinion OF the committee as would make de
sirable inhabitants of the United States.
The agents OF steamship companies in
portions Europe have been active IN in
e-dncing, encouraging and stimulating i'm
migranon to this country through iaise rep
resentaliOus.
The report condemns the practice which
has prevailed among certain Foreigners resi-
dent in this country oi importing ior the
purpose vi contracting thcm on railroad
works, and keeping them in almost AFFECT
slavery. Reference is also made to the daily
crossing into the United States OF Canadian
laborers, it being shown that about 500
Canadian carpenters daily labor IN Detroit
while The same number Of Americans lie
idle for ,ac9 OF employment
The bill poses in its first section to pro-
hibu the admission into the United States Of
any person who is an idiot, insane, pauper
or liaD G to become public charge, or who
mas been legally convicted Of felony, other
infamous crimes, or misdemeanor involving
moral tuiniiude, or who is Il poiygamist
Anarchist or socialist, or who is afilictet
with any ,athsome disease, Or who has en-
tered into contract, express or implied
oral or written, to perform labor or service 70
any person, firm, company or corporation
in the United States.
The balance ol the bill goes ON 10 show
how, in what way anl by whom this bill
shall be strictly carried out, and the pun
ishment aui penalties provided for any vic
lation OF any OF its provisions.
We think the bill is a wise and gool
measure ard should be hurried through
Congress NJ once. 1t was only short tim
since that we heard one of our largest farm
ers complaining OF this influx of paupers
&c, 10 this country and that every Stat
aud county of the United States has its par
Of the burden of expense to bear So far IA
the SENTINEL is concerned, il has from tim,
To time within the past ten years advocated
the passage OF "a law by Congress similar t,
that which is now ON the calendar Of tn
House.