The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-29
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZA-
TON

TON.
The New York Tribune thinks that the
statement that there is rapidly growing
hostility to all foreign immigration is in
accurate. 1t comedies, however, that
there is very general dissatisfaction with
the kind OF immigration we now get.
The Tribune is in error, as we read the
sentiment of the people in this part of
the continent. There is dissatisfaction
with the character of large part of the
immigration putting in to our shores,
and there is open and pronounced hos
tility to immigration from foreign coun-
tries of any kind. But it is true that the
former is the greater sentiment, and the
latter the least forcible. In fact, it is
born mainly of bitterness growing out of
the demands of Italy in the New Orleans
case, the labor difficulties in Pennsyl-
vania, and the abuse of the naturalization
laws. Reform of the latter would very
greatly diminish the hostile sentiment.
But it is not inaccurate to say that it
exists.
The real sentiment that is making head
way, and is certain to result in legislation
of a radical character, is that demanding
longer probationary period of residence
as prerequisite to naturalization; po-
litical educational qualification as essen
tlal to conferment to citizenship; strict
compliance with the naturalization laws
on the part of the courts, and lastly, rigid
exclusion from the country of the objec-
tionable classes, the paupers, criminals
and those liable to become public charges
and those iuimical to industrial interests.
To considerable extent there prevails
sentiment in favor of excluding
all who adhere to anarchical and radi-
cal socialistic doctrines. This is robust
Americanism enough, and if it is even in
part transmitted into the law in the next
two or three years, it will very generally
satisfy the people for this century.
There is one demand that is being
pressed with considerable vigor that must
have attention. 1t is that which insists
that immigrants coming to our shores
shall be required, as first step to per-
mission to land, to renounce allegiance to
foreign powers and file declarations of
intention to become citizens. The idea is
to place all newcomers not tourists upon
exact equality, SO far as responsibility is
concerned, with citizens, leaving to their
future conduct the question of invest
ment with the right of suffrage. It is
improbable that the advocates of this
scheme will be able to command very
large following. Naturalized citizens
upon whom no such obligations were
placed will not be likely to sustain a
scheme of that order. Thoughtful citi-
Gems native-born, will reflect that there
will attach very little Importance or value
TO oaths of remuneration taken under such
circumstances. Before any immigrants
by any process in any way bound in any
allegiance to this Government he ought to
reside here considerable period, and
should have reasonably clear under
standing of the fundamental principles
underlying our system.
We have already pointed out the weak
ness of the New York EUening Posts
plan of having only English-speaking
immigrants admitted. 1t would not be
any test of fitness; it is not in evidence
that immigrants speaking English well
or indifferently make greatly better citi-
zens. Ii it is true that the Secretary of
the Treasury will recommend that Con-
gress establish an educational test of the
fitness of immigrants as prospective citi-
zens, the subject will come before the new
Congress directly and in manner to
open all the avenues of debate. The Sec
retary's plan will, if adopted, come very
near to meeting the best sentiment of the
country. 1t will exclude, it is estimated
by the Detroit Tribune, 20 to 80 per cent OF
Italians, Hungarians and Poles, per
cent of English, 5 per cent. of Irish and
but one-tenth of / per cent. of Germans.