Crawford avalanche., 1891-04-23
ABOUT IMMIGRATION
DEMAND FOR A REVISION OF
THE LAWS.


Might BE Brought About by Proper Irri-
gation-Importance aud Value Of River
and Canal Transportation.
The subject Transportation and
improvements of Waterways, Lake.
Gulf, and Pacific Ports" was discussed
at the Commercial Congress in Kansas
City.
Mr.. s. A. Thompson. Secretary of the
Commercial Club OF Duluth, advocated
the improvement OF waterways as af-
fording the cheapest transportation.
Col. L. C. Catchings, of Mississippi,
argued that an Increase In water traffic,
however great, would not decrease rail-
road business, but would rather in
crease 1t
The Hon. ., j. NJ. Murphy, of Iowa,
spoke on the Hennepin Canal His life
had one purpose and his heart one hope.
and that was the construction of the
Hennepin Canal. He explained in long
speech the benefits to accrue from the
construction OF the canal, and he had no
doubt that the Government would con-
struct 1t II Congress could be brought TO
a realizing sense OF the canals i'm
portance.
Col. A. c. Fish, of Denver, delivered an
address upon irrigation. He said 00O,-
food raised on irrigated land in Spain,
China, Egypt Russia, India, and the
United States, yet the subject of irriga-
tion, although carried on successfully
for hundreds of years, was but little
understood. In the Mississippi
country enough land was allowed to go
to waste that was susceptible Of cultiva-
tion to support whole nations of people.
The work OF irrigation has already been
begun by the United States. Mr.. Pow
ell estimated that there were 1000, 600
square miles of arid lands In the West
ern country that could be made product
ivo w HIiEdUiVss. Uuo MINIMUM
price of public land, 81. 25 per acre, this
land had value of $500, OOO,OCO At $50
per acre, moderate estimate of its
value when irrigated, il would be worth
SO, 200, OOO,O 900.
Mr. Wickliffe said he would treat his
subject, "Immigration and Settlement of
Public Lands, from the text. "America
for Americans ave have been told, {"
he said, "that this land is broad enough
for all, but submit that the countries
OF the other world have made it the
dumping ground for their paupers and
criminal classes, and / believe that l
speak for the whole American people
when say that the time has come when
all that must stop There Is enough
room for all who want to come here to
be one OF us, but not a foot Of ground
for one OF those paupers and criminals
OF the old world. | may feel deeply upon
the subject, but have lately come fresh
from most terrible object lesson, which
too c'early indicates the need of change
Of our immigration laws
Il believe that this congress ought to
declare that the National Congress should
prohibit the landing Of immigrants who
are not willing TO become good citizens
i think this law ought to be put into
such shape that no man who has not
within given time filed his intention for
citizenship, which is now altogether too
short, and who has not within another
given time taken out what is known as
his second papers, ought to be shipped
back to the country from which he came.
Gentlemen, II took twenty-one years to
make voter out of each one Of you; It
does not take twenty-one seconds to make
voter out of a foreigner. Let no man step
foot upon the soil of Columbia who cannot
bring true bill of moral cleanliness l
am, as you know, a State-rghts Demo
crat, but / believe the power to make
American citizens ought to be taken
from the State courts and given to the
General Government. Perhaps you do
not realize the need of all this, but in
looking up the nationality OF those Grim
ina's whom the citizens of New Orleans
executed not long since it was found
that the naturalization papers of one Of
these, his certificate OF good moral char
acter, was certified to by two of his fell
low-criminals believe that the scenes
which we have witnessed during the last
few weeks ought 10 be impossible.
The raising OF the g orious stars and
stripes under that of foreign flag, as
was done in my own State, and the rid
ding of our flag by bullets in Pennsyl-
vania, very clearly indicate the need Of
a change of policy as regards our ilnm-
grafton laws"
A resolution favoring free coinage was
received with applause. A resolution
relative to immigration was loudly APP
plauded, and the resolution which hailed
with delight the burial of all animosi-
ties between the North and South was
greeted with great applause, and, upon
motion of Major Warner, of Missouri,
was given three hearty cheers.
The congress then adjourned to meet
at the call of the Executive Committee.