Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-24
1t Has Not Been Restricted.
Number II p Number
From To Arrived. From To Arrived.
1920 1850 l2S, S,S93 1850 1870 1864 e6l
1880 1910 539.3gl 1870 1850 2,S;4, ,O40
1S40 1880 l,t23,S51 1850 1880 5,2I6 6l3
1850 / 1850 . 49, 423

immigration comes in tidal waves. 1t
Will recede Tor time and then rise again;
each decade, with the exception of the war
period, the returning tide reached higher
than its predecessor. The ten years closing
December 81. 1890, shows a marked increase
1t max be well to note the classes of aliens
restricted from landing on our shores bvthe
immigration law of the late Congress. This
law prohibits the incoming of paupers and
of persons likely to become paupers; polyg-
amists: persons who have been convicted of
any crime involving moral turpitude; per-
sons suffering from loathsome or contagious
disease. In addition, persons who have been
assisted on the other side in their passage
are required to af1irmatively and satisfaetor-
lily show that they are not within the above
excluded classes.
The Burden of Proof on the Immigrant.
1t was believed by Congress that the pro-
hibition Of these classes would so far sift
immigration that only the desirable immi-
grants could enter our country The phrase
''hkely to become a pauper" is sweeping,
and leaves large discretion to the inspector
Its value can be measured bv the reference
made above TO the charity aid societies of
foreign countries. So much trouble has
been experienced from immigrants assisted
by their friends on the other side of the
water that il was felt best to place the bur
den of proof or them and make them show
afirmatively that they are not objection
able characters. Those aided from this side
are the best immigrants we get.
The contract labor evasions are carefully
cared for in the new law. Many of the
worst classes of immigrants escape at the
time the vessel lands at her dock, at which
point the immigrants are placed on foaters
and carried to the Barge Office for Govern
ment inspection The vessel masters have
always claimed that they had no control of
passengers or immi grants after the vessel
touched dock, and from 10 to $50 immigrants
walk ashore from every vessel at this point
and thus escape inspection. On late trip
OF the Majestic it was ascertained that 13S
Of her Immigrant passengers avoided inspec-
ton in this way. The new law requires the
vessel TO convey all immigrants to the
Barge Office and places heavy penalty
upon the vessel for each immigrant per-
mitted to escape.
Provision for Returning Objectionable Ones.
The law also provides that when the in
spectOrs have barred an immigrant from
landing he shall be Immediately returned to
the vessel and there retained and returned
TO the port from whence he came. Vessels
have received the debarred immigrants
on board, but have not detained them A
fine of $500 is now imposed for each de-
barred immigrant that a vessel fails to re-
turn, and in addition clearance from the
port is refused the vessel that violates the
law.
One purpose of the new law is to cause
the steamship companies to publish the re-
strictions Of this country in foreign coun-
tries and to inspect their own immigrants,
aud only bring over such as they know will
be acceptable on this side The steamship
companies are complaining of the harsh
ness OF the new law at this time, but as they
are making vast sums Of money out of the
immigrant traffic they can afford to establish
an inspection of their own. Another year
viii find very few immigrants coming to our
shores of the undesirable classes.
l do do not believe the time has come for
the total restriction of immigration. Every
able-bodied man entering this country, 20
years of age, is worth 81, 800 to the country
Yet developing country, we are in need of
these people, and as long as the hardy sons
of other lands, in honest purpose, seek our
shores, because of the freedom of our insti-
tutions and of the opportunities in this bet
ter land, it is profitable for US to receive
them. w. D. OWEN.