The National tribune., 1891-04-02
THE IalyIGRATloS LAWS.


The last Congress made some radical and
mueh-ueeded improvements in the laws
regulating immigration. The first is the
extension Of the old laws so as to prohibit
in addition TO Chinese iaborers, the importa-
ton Of
"all idiots. insane persons. or persons likely to
become public charge, persons suffering from
loatisome or dangerous contagious disease.
persons who have been convicted OF q felony or
other Infamous crime or msdemeanoT, involving
moral turpiludc, po,yEami-ts, and also any person
whose ticket or passage has been paid for with the
money Of another, who IL assisted by others to
come, unless il j. Ifirmntiyely and satisfactorily
shown special inquiry that such person does not
belong TO Of the foregoing excluded classes or
10 tho class or contract lRbOTeFs excluded by tie
Eci Of Feb. %, lss5n
Had this law been in force and enforced,
there would have been no lynching in New
Orleans. as the ex-convicts and banditii who
fled thither from Italy would have been
kept out
This clause will not prevent residents and
citizens from sending for their relatives and
personal friends, and paying their passage
over, provided they do not belong to the
excepted classes.
Another section provides that suits for
violation Of the contract labor law shall
not be settled or dismissed without the cog
nizance and full consent Of the court
Sections ;, 4 and are intended to put
stop TO the serious evil of railways and
steamship lines ezaggsrating the adyan-
tages Of this country. SO as to induce immi-
grafton. II prohibits all manner of adyer-
tisement, except Of dates of sailing and
facilities for transportation, and Furnishes
violations OF the law with fine not exceed
ing $1,000, or Imprisonment of not more
than one year.
Ministers of the gospel, members of the
learned professions aud professors OF colleges
and seminaries are excepted from the pro-
visions Of the act.
A Superintendent Of Immigration-to be
an officer Of the Treasury DepaTtment-and
Chief Clerk are provided for, and it is re-
quired that
The arrival az any alien or aliens by water nt any
port Of the United States shall be Immediately
reported by name, nationality and last place Of
residence 10 the proper inspection officers. who
shall promptly inspect said immigrants; the neces-
sary medical examinations shall be made by Sur
geons Of lhe Marine Hospital Service, or ia case OF
emergency by civilian surgeon. Inspectors shall
have power to administer oaths and to take and
consider testimony, alt u which shall be properly
recorded. All decisions Of inspectors adverse TO
the right Of alien 10 lnud shall lie final. unless
appeal be taken TO the Superintendent Of Immi-
grafton. u shall be tire duty Of officers and agents
az vessels 20 use proper precautions TO prevent the
landing Of aliens at any time place other than
that designated by the inspectors. ard neglect or
violation Of this provision viii subject the offenders
10 the punishment prescribed 10y section G.
Any alien who may come unlawfully into
the United States shall be sen. back by the
vessel upon which be arrives aud at its ex-
perse; or he may be returned within one year
after his arrival. Also any other who may
become public charge within year of his
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coming, may be sent back at the expense OF
the vessel bringing him.
These are the main provisions. If they
are thoroughly enforced they will greatly
diminish, if not entirely remedy, most Of
the fragrant evils OF unrestricted immigra-
tion. 1t will put a stop to foreign Govern
ments dumping their paupers and criminals
upon us, and to steamships deluging us with
hordes Of people whom they have gathered
up on representations that this country is a
modern Paradise in which one has only TO
put out his hand to grasp wealth and luxury.
1t viii not prevent the entry of one desira-
bic immigrant. but will save US from the
presence of tens OF thousands Of undesirable
ones every year.