Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-12-02
e,0G0.a7e IMMIGRANTS IN SIX
YEARS.
Surge on General Hamilton Suggests
Laws TO Restrict linn igration.

WAsnINGToN, Nov. 20.--Surgeon
General Hamilton has made a report
to the Secretary of the Treasury, Civ.
ing the results of visits paid by him
to the principal foreign ports of en-
barkation Of immigrants bound for
the United States. He says he visit
ed the ports OF Naples, London, Law
crpool, Glasgow, Bremen, Trieste,
and Hamburg, and found that there
is at present no systernatical medical
examination OF emigrants at any port
OF embarkation.
$50 far as my observation extends"
SAYS DR.. Hamilton, and so far as
can learn from the literature on this
subject, there is no country in the
world in which citizenship is so cheap
ly obtained as in the United States
The general question of restrictive
measures as against tho incoming
mass is one of the most important
that can be considered, whether
viewed from an economic or political
standpoint, and viewed from an Amer
lean standpoint there is no doubt that
the welfare OF the country demands
more restrictive measures than the
present laws seem to be able to fur
nish. Thus of the fifteen insane per.
sons and eleven idiots that were re-
ported by the Medical Officer in New
York, four of the insane and all oil
the idiots were permitted to land.
During the last SIX years, under the
operations of the existing law, the
vast number of 2,666,276 immigrant,
have arrived on our shores. The in.
PRODUCTION of this vast number Of
people into our political organizations
most of whom are entirely ignorant
Of our traditions, customs, and laws
cannot be viewed without concern
and apprehension, and without ma
king a suggestion looking to still fur
ther restrictions.
ait is suggested that the law bt
amended SO as to provide that here
after any person intending to emf
CRATE to the United States shall pro
duce to the United States Consu
nearest him evidence from the proper
local authorities satisfactory to tbs
Consul that he has not been convict
ed of any crime, that he has not a
any time been public charge in tn,
country whore he lives, nor has he a
any time received public assistance
aud, further, that he produce a Ger
tihcate from legally qualified resi-
dent physician to the effect that he i.
at the time suffering from no conta
glous or epidemic disease or disability
such as would make him a public
charge. On the production of these
certificates to the Consul he shall is
sue to the intending immigrant hi.
certificate to the effect that the fore
going evidence has been furnished
by him and placed on file at the con
sulate. This paper should also Sc
forth whether the immigrant intend
to become a naturalized citizen of tn,
United States or merely temporar,
inhabitant, the certificate to be givel
10 the immigrant, and on his arriva
in this country taken up by the prop
er officers at the port of destination
"This course would at once plac
the immigrant under the surveillance
of the proper officer of the Unite,
States, would effectually shut out tn,
criminal classes, and operate yer,
much for the relief of the inspection
bureaus at our ports of entry. A
this time there is no medical inspec
ton whatever of immigrants excep
at he port of New York, and tha
circumstance will no doubt have 4
tendency to increase the influx at tn,
other ports.
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