New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-19
THE IMMIGRATION BILL.
OBJECTIONS URGED AGAINST SOME OF ITS
PROVISIONS.
UNDESIRABLE PERSONS NAY COME IN FROM
CANADA-DETECTS POINTED OUT.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEJ

iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE THlBUhEJ
Washington. Jan. 1S.-The bill reported by Mr.
Owen from the select Committee on Immigration IN
amendment Of the various acts relative to immigration
and the importation Of aliens under contract has Ell
countered mfavOrable criticism to some OF It's de-
tas. That the prevention OF undesirable and panper
Immigration coming to this country is absolutely de-
mandcd admits Of no discussion II Is strange there-
fore il is said, that provision Is made In TINS Dill
to prevent immigrants from coming here by way Oh
Canada, since il is well-lnOwn fact that many
aliens who are prevented from landing in New-lork
and are returned take ship Immediately for Canada,
and enter thence TO the United states without let or
hndrancc A bill TO regulate immigration In order 10
its purpose should make provision against suon
violation. If it does not. it will simply tend 10 drive
business from Ncw-York to Canada. and flood TIE
country more than ever with paupers and other I'M
desirable newcomers.
The bill i'm some other respects has been thought
10 need amending. section l. Astor enumeratng the
classes OF persons forbidden 10 land prohibits also te
coming Of any person whose ticket or passage Is pau
for The term prepaid tickets, as used here reicrs
to tickets passage from Europe TO America ss"cu
by agents Of steamship companies to persons WHO "iSh
to have friends or relatives come over from Europe
Many passengers coming prepaid tchctS' theroorc'
form a desirable class OF immigrants; first, because
their friends and relatives want them here, ana,
secondly because a home and occupation await them
here upon arrival. To prevent irresponsible per9ons'
unauthorized agents or boarding house keepers In
European ports from using such tickets IL would De
we'll it is suggested to embody provision III the Dill
making II unlawful for any person to issue prcpaid
ticket except the authorized agent OF an eStablshed
line and prescribing that prepaid tickets may be Is
sued only on the general agents of companies abroad
or on the main Office II only responsible persons arc
permitted 10 do this business in this country the law
can easily reach them If they Violate lis prON'iols'
sections and 1 make IL unlawful to ASSIST 'OiIot,
invite or encourage either by writing, printing or oral
United states, and prescribe fine OF *l,OoO or I'M
pri,Onmcnt for each and every violation. ms pro
vision either means good deal or nothing. Nhao
constitutes encouraging Immigration. IS IL 20 W
unlawful for anybody abroad 10 ~ay that the lhltcu
states stands at the head OF all nations aS regan'
the intelligence of its people, the wealth OF ls
natural resources. railroad development. postal ana
telegraph facilities and 80 forth and that IL Is a rch
and free country Iut all this may influence induce
and encourage immigration, and lead, perhaps I'd tHe
pr. pay fn"nt Of tickets.
section prescribe, penalty OF FL 900 or mprlsOn-
ment for any person who shall bring into or land IN
the United states. by hnd otherwise any alien not
lawfully entitled 10 enter the United states. But how
can a captain ~ vessel containing 100 or 800 or
more Immigrant, know what i the history or what
an The intentions 81 these peOplcl II he knows that
they are nadmi~sablc and permits them 70 land. he
should DE- held responsible and receive well merlted
pnI~ hment but otherwise. II H. argued, the proposed
law seems harsh and undiscrimnating.
other details might be referred to in which. per
hap~ the bill could be improved. but the fact that II
fall, 10 provide for Uniform supervision oi al lmHl
grant. In whatever way they try 10 come here, Is
apparently It's greatest defect.