Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-10


wages the better scale of living. the general and
fairly uniform prosperity prevailing in this
country, coupled with commercial and indus.
trial depression abroad, the present trifiing cos
OF steerage passage and tine wide publicity now
given to all the first named facts among the
masses of Europe are a sufficient explanation
though other reasons contribute to the result
WEAKNESSES IN THE PRESENT LAWS.
Among the more obvious and fatal weak.
nesses in the present attempt to winnow some.
what our incoming tide Of immigration and to
exclude certain classes OF aliens who are ad.
mitted by all to be either dangerous or unde.
sirable are these: % In the worst and most i'm
portant classes Of cases, to wit, criminals, ex
convicts polygamists and illegally assisted
immigrants. the law supplies almost no means
of ascertainng the facts. The personal state
ments of such immigrants obviously have little
value as evidence, and it is only by accident
that any other source OF Information Is open to
the inspection officers at the port Of arrival
(2) With the increasing efficiency of inspection
at our several seaports, and the fact of this
vigilance made known to intending emigrants
In Europe an increasing number of aliens are
now landing at Canadian ports and thence en-
tering the United States by rail, thus practically
avoiding all effective scrutiny, besides depriv.
ing the immigrant fund Of the head tax which
would otherwise be paid.
Congress alone can remedy these glaring de-
fects III system which has thus far necessarily
been tentative and experimental. Plainly the
process Ut sitting immigrants should at least
begln abroad, to be completed, and not COM
menced, at the United States port of arrival
Some system of investigation or certifcation,
consular or otherwise, in the country where
the intending emigrant resides, is believed to
be entirely practicable, and such q system,
supplemented by continued vigilance at our
ports OF entry, ought to prove effective to the
desired end. Considerations of humanity az
well as OF efficiency require that aliens Of the
prohibited classes shall not be permitted to
come across the ocean to our ports only to be
sent back penniless and stranded.
As to the entrance OF alien immigrants into
the United States by rail across the Canadian
border the remedy would suggesti itself of either
securing an international arrangement for a
uniform system of foreign or seaport inspec-
ton, or. failing that of making our own inspec-
ton at the border as effective as possible, as
part OF our own general system.
HOW TO KEEP OUT THE CHINESE.
The dilemma of how to keep out the Chi
nese while Canada maintains her present atti-
tude is faced by the Secretary, who says: 1t
is undoubtedly true that the Chinese popula-
ton Of the United States has been consider
ably increased within the past year by the ad-
ditlon OF Chinese laborers who have entered
BY way Of Canada. Syndicates have been
formed and much capital has been invested to
further this unlawful immigration, and if it is
still the purpose of Congress to prohibit it, a
thorough revision of the statutes relating to
the subject is necessary.
Any legislation, however, looking to exclu-
SION Will fail OF its full purpose so long as the
Canadian government admits Chinese laborers
to Canada. whence armed with Canadian per-
mits to leave and return to Canada at pleasure,
they are at liberty to invade our territory
along its entire northern frontier.
THE REVENUE MARINE
n of
marine service the Secretary reviews the oper-
atoms In the Alaskan waters this summer. He
adds to this chapter this paragraph: A num-
Der OF new vessels are urgently needed for the
proper maintenance Of the service. With a
fleet of thirty-six vessels it will be readily seen
that unless new craft are added to the fleet an
nuaily the service must gradually become de-
pleted. There Is immediate and urgent need
for two able cruising steamers for the Pacific
coast and two for Lakes Michigan and Ontario.
respectively. To meet any sudden contingency
these vessels should possess features and char
acteristics enabling them to meet demands
other than those for assistance to distressed
vessels and the enforcement of the customs
revenue laws. This fact has not been lost sigh
of In the general designs outlined.
STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE.
In referring to the steamboat inspection
service the Secretary says:
1t is recommended that the laws providing a
separate class of officers for the inspection of
foreign steam vessels be repealed: a better
service Is obtained by having such inspections
made by the officers of the domestic service as
Is now done under departmental authority
Legislation Is also asked for regulating the
pay of inspectors, great inequality now existing
IN that respect; and to provide punishment for
irnuduienuy changing or interpolating licenses
Issued to officers OF steam vessels, and for false
swearing by applicants fo- such officers IL
censes.
THE LIFE-sAvINa SERVICE.
After summarizing the work of the life-sav-
ing service, the report continues by abiding
to the inadequate pay Of keepers and crews OF
stations and the fact that men are constantly
leaving the service on that account, in the fol-
lowing language: This exodus has increased
during the past year, and its continuance can
not fail to seriously affect the efficiency of the
corps. Many of the remaining veterans are
only retained by the hope of better wages.
which the repeated recommendations of the de-
partment ard the justice of the case have ex-
cited. The hope is earnestly expressed that the
relief, which simple justice to the men and the
preservation OF the high standard of efficiency
which this service has hitherto maintained alike
demand, may not be long deferred.
THE COAST SURVEY.
The work Of the coast and geodetic
survey during the year is given in brief, and
the Secretary says:
The building known as the Richards build
ing. 80 long occupied by the coast and geodetic
survey, was purchased for the use of that bu-
reau by an appropriation in the sundry civil
act Of March 3, 1891. In the same act the pur-
chase Of the Butler building, adjoining, part
Of which had long been used by the same ser
vice. was also provided for my predecessor
having recommended to Congress that it be
bought for the use Of the survey, to afford a
much needed increase in the facilities for print
ing and publishing charts.
Before the close of the fiscal year, however
1t became imperative to make new provision
for the marine hospital service, and it was nee
essary to utilize the greater part Of the Butler
building for this purpose
new building, much more perfectly adapted
to the needs OF the coast and geodetic survey
can be erected at comparatively small cost on
the ground belonging to the Richards building
and, knowing the need for increased room for
the proper execution Of this important branch
OF the public service. 1 respectfully recommend
and urge Congress to provide at an early day
FOR the erection Of such building.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
Among the recommendations Of the SUPER
wishing architect to which the attention of Con-
gress is invited is that suggesting the enact
ment of q general law directing the mode of
acquiring sites for public buildings, preparation
OF plans and proceeding with the work of con-