The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-09


CONCEBNIN0 QUALIvxCATIONs ZOE
CITIZENSHIP.
The popular and growing demand for
more effective restriction Of immigration
hasdsveloped numberless suggestions asto
the qualifications that should be requ ired
Of prospective citizens before allowing
them to land on American soil; and that
which has the most po sitiye advocacy -
what II termed . Language test" They
would make acquaintance with the En-
gllsh Language : condition precedent to
the admission Of immigrants into our
country.
This proposition has been ably contested
By many newspapers, more especially BY
those dependent on German and Norwe-
gian patronage, but also with much force
and vigor by journals that might be termed
more strictly American. These object TO
the proposed language test on the ground
that it is not at all adapted to meet the
popular demand for restraint OF undesir.
able immigration. They contend that It
j. bad character, evil disposition and I'M
American ideas that this popular demand
is aimed at, and that the language man
speaks has no necessary connection with
these considerations.
They claim that England and other
English speaking countries are not with
out criminals, paupers and disorderiy
persons, while there are tens Of millions
who are intelligent. industrious, orderly,
liberty-loving and in every way readily
assimilabls with the best elements Of
the American people, who have not the
slightest knowledge of the English lam
guage. They point to the millions Of
Germans, Norwegians. 6wedes, Swiss and
those Of other kindred nationalities in
this country. who on their arrival knew
no English but quickly acquired it and
adapted themselves to our institutions,
and who have become devoted, valuable
citizens, ready to defend this country in
time Of war and promoting its prosperity
In time Of peace.
To this branch Of the subject Mr.. A. A.
Berle. of Cambridge, Mass, has made .
valuable contribution. A few years ago,
in an attempt to ascertain with some
accuracy from what nationalities the
dangers from alien ideas and training
were most to be feared, he instituted
series Of Investigations. As Minnesota
contained larger proportion and greater
diversity of foreign-born population than
any other state, he concluded to prosecute
his inquiries there.
The result showed that in all of the pub
lie institutions Of the state-penal and
charitable-the percentage of foreign-born,
according to their ratio of the whole pop
ulAtion, was much less than for the ma
tives, except in the case of the forein-born
from English speaking nations These
he found exceeding their quota by about
three times their relation to the total pop
ulation.
But to take this As guide would mani.
testify be a. fallacious and misleading a.
the proposed opposite course. And sub
stitute which has been proposed is no less
irrational and Objectionable, which is to
apply property qualification in the shape
of license tax sufficiently heavy to DEM
onstrate that the would-be immigrant is
well-to-do, and therefore inferentially lit
is claimed) one who has been industrious
and frugal. This is fully answered by the
reminder that rogue and revolutionist
might have the wherewithal to pay the
license, while an honest, orderly and in
every way desirable person might be few
shillings short of the required amount.
Both ideas are alike in conflict with
reason and experience. Ability to speak
English neither proves good character nor
the reverse. It affords not even an indi-
cation upon which to found an intelligent
conclusion. Thousands and tens of
thousands Of our best citizens, who have
contributed largely to the country's
knowledge and material welfare, knew
little or no English when they arrived, and
perhaps had not the means to pay for .
months subsistence.
The suggestion Of consular certificate
from the American representative in the
country from which they propose to come,
evidencing good character and an orderly
disposition, and some comprehension of
and attachment for the principles of our
government, is clearly more rational than
either language or a property qualities
ton, and probably the best that can be
devised. A good character, and capacity
and inclination for good citizenship are
things from which this country has moth
ing to fear. and are things from which it
may reasonably hope more gain than
from the mere ability to speak certain
language or pay paltry license fee.
- 20
support afford far better assurance of use
full citizenship than the mere accomplish.
| ment of English speech.