New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-02
TIE INFLUX OF RUSSIAN HEBREWS.
SECRETARY FOSTER WRITES A LETTER ON THE
ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

| SECRETARY FOSTER WRITES A LETTER ON THE
ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Washington, Aug. 1-Sm0n Wolf and Lewis Abrar
ham, Of this CITY, on behalf Of the Union of American
Hebrew Congregations have addressed TO the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury communication on the subject
Of the immigration of Russian Hebrews to the United
states In their address the writers while deplorng
the arrival in this country of many Of their exled
people maintain that the statutes Of the United states
should not be so interpreted class them paupers
or assisted emigrants when hands Of help aud wei
come are outstretched to elevate them 10 the exalted
position of American citizenship without demanding
any contributions from National or local taxes
That the refugees are generally in Distress say
the writers, is not denied. Circumstances have
placed them in a situation that is recognized through
out the civilized world as resulting from the greatest
crime Of the so-called enlightened century, and this
distress their brethren are untirngy striving allie
vate To close the avenues of this free and liberty
loving country that has always opened its gates to the
downtrodden and uniusy prosecuted, would be against
the underlying genius and theory Of our glorious and
beloved Constitution. Neither the letter nor the
spirit of the laws of country requires thus to
close the gate Of mercy on mankind
The writers refer TO the large influx OF Russian
Hebrews into this country about ten years ago and
say that so far as be asceraIned not single one
Of them has become a public burden. Arguing from
this and the further fact that large number OF or
ganzaons have been formed throughout the country,
having for their object the general and elevation
OF the exiles, the writers maintain that even If they
have their passage paid with the money Of another
they cannot be designated paupers, but rather come
under the exceptional clause Of the law, viz Where
it is satisfactorily shown that such person does not
belong to the foregoing excluded classes.
To this address secretary Foster has replied as fol
lows:
Gentlemen I beg to acknowledge receipt Of
YOUR communication Of the 27th nit. win It's
that l fully concur in vour estimate Of the masni-
tudc Of the present calamity which has Deidlen
MANY OF race, well as IN your nope lhat
au early mitigation or cessation of the currfnt
measlr5, OF expulsion may render unnecessary any
general migration uf Russian Hebrews 10 America OF
elsewhere TnQucstonabiY great and sudden lu;luA
eXputratcd and destitute allen, OF any race would
BE- a grave misfortune 10 any country, ana AHeIICaH
Hebrews act both periodically and humaneN WleH
they advise Jewish refugees against coming ther but
ut the same time endeavOr 10 render ,eH'upporthS
those who finally come. . The apparent scope
and thoroughne- ~ Your plans for securing immediate
and wide distribution II the expected refugees are
most gratifying and upon the success Of your aSNoch
tons in carrying out these plans will largely depend
the possibility Of the Government meeting your We've
in other respects.
While Tin. immigration laws of the United states
must and will be enforced, / agree with you that
those laws were never enacted in derOcatOn Of the
painest requirements Of humanity, and no worthy I'm
Of orr statutes, should be excluded from the country
because through the action Of Others he is for the
time being homeless and without property.
| shall rely upon your voluntary assurance tHa'
YOU Will actively urge upon yOur brethren in Europe
the attitude Of our laws toward assisted mln grafton
alSD beg to remind yOu that any tendency abroad -
defect toward thi- country the movement OF aesIlgI
refugees or stimulate their migration hitner WOud
be distinctly hostile the spirit manifested In your
letter and 10 the spirit in winch the ,,GvernhelI
OF the United states desires 10 treat this dhcut ana