The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-04-19
SATURDAY. APRIL 10. 1890.
INSPECTION OF IMMIGRANTS.

The subcommittee of the Joint Congress
sional Committee on immigration are now
engaged in investigating the general char
acter Of the stream Of immigration that
daily pours into Castle Garden, with view
OF making an elaborate report on it TO Con-
gross. II has been wen known for some
time that The whole system Of inspection
has been radically doiicieh: as a means Of
accomplishing the objects which the exist
ing laws have in view, and there is strong
reason 10 believe that the officials in charge
have not only been lax in enforcing the
rules Of inspection, but also open 10 inn
proper influences 10 induce them 10 over
look these rules altogether In consequence
OF this fact, several classes Of immigrants
have been able 10 enter this country who
are expressly prohibited by the law from
doing so.
First and most notable among these are
foreign contract laborers in almost every
branch Of industry, from glass-blowing and
mining to wharfage and the construction Of
railways. AT the meeting Of the Congress
eional subcommittee, in New York, on
Thursday, Mr.. Gallo, prominent banker
and contractor, testified that thousands Of
dollars were annually advanced to immi-
grants. who were skilled workmen in differ
ont occupations. 10 meet the expenses Of
their passage across the ocean, and he ad-
mitted that the chief profit Of his business
was derived from this general source. The
testimony Of Mr.. Gallo is confirmed by the
fact that a large majority of the 1903 immi-
grants on board Of the steamer Cachemire.
now lying in New York harbor, were en-
ployed 10 work in Pittsburg, under formal
contracts signed in Italy, from which coun-
try these immigrants originally came.
SO far as the character Of our population
is concerned, il is a much more serious fact
that large numbers Of immigrants are al
lowed 20 enter. who are open to cOndemna-
tion on account Of their extremely degraded
condition, being, in every respect, repre-
sentatives of the lowest pauper class OF
Europe, and physically, morally and men
tally, entitled 10 no consideration whatever
On the contrary, they can only form a
further accession 20 that class in our own
communities. whose existence is "a burden
upon the public welfare, and blot upon
the public reputation.
While the bill introduced recently in the
United States Senate by Mr.. Chandler, OF
New Hampshire, is in some particulars un-
practical in its character, as, for instance.
L.. INN fIrfsl -
whose opinions are opposed to the spirit Of
our institutions, nevertheless in other par
ticulars il would seem TO be adapted TO re-
move some Of the worst evils connected
with the admission Of foreign immigrants
into this country. This would appear TO be
specially true of that clause which requires,
on the part Of our consular representatives
at foreign ports, the strictest examination
of those who wish 10 emigrate with view
Of making a permanent settlement in the
United States. All such immigrants are
compelled, under the terms Of the Chandler
law, 10 obtain papers from the authorities
OF the communities TO which they belong,
setting forth their general character and oc-
CuldlioI, anu tu'0' l"l'io h"'' ~ 'N III
dorsed by the United states consuls before
the emigranfs can sail with the assurance
that they will be admitted at Castle Gar.
den. The cOnsuls are directed to refuse t.
give their sanction to such papers in ever,
instance in which there is reasonable ground
for objection. or even suspicion.
PROFESSIONALLY, the Chandler method OF
careful inspection at the points, both Of en-
barkation and debarkation, offers the most
feasible means that can be employed Of re-
stricting foreign immigration to this coun-
try within those lines Of quality which alone
can confer any substantial advantage upon
the material interests of the United states.
The measure has not yet been put upon it,
passage in the Senate, but when it is, it is e
be hoped that it will be properly amended
in some Of its details, and then sent TO the
House and the President 10 be finally en-
acted into law.