The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-03
ITALIAN IMMIGRATION.

The disposition Of the Italians TO emigrate
from their native country seems to have been
very much stimulated in the course of the last
few years. the efflux having reached at the
present time proportions altogether unexam-
pied. very large part of this outfowing
stream has been directed TO the South Ameri-
can Republics, notably to the Argentine Con-
federation on account Of the special induce
ments which the Confederation has been Of
fering. But another very large part has been
directed to the United States, as the statistics
Of recent censuses will show.
In 1850 the number Of Italians residing in
this country, either as naturalized or unnatu-
rallied citizens was only 3,Gi5. nearly one
third Of whom were to be found in the city Of
New York. In this year the Italian element
in our communities represented only 1900 Of
one per cent of the total foreign born popula-
ton. This proportion had by the end Of the
next decade risen to % 100 Of one per cent. or
to give exact figures. the census Of 1850 dis
closed that the Italian population of the
United States amounted to l0,5ls. One-third
Of this population in that year was TO be found
in California, to which country Italians hadno
doubt been attracted by the climate, as well
as the gold mines.
In 1870, tho number Of Italians in the United
States had increased from TO- SIS 10 II, 1i7. Cali
fornia and New York city being the adopted
homes Of n majority of this number. In 1880
the Italian population of this country had
nearly trebled in size, being about GG-l00
of per cent. of the foreign born population
in the United States In 1881 the immigration
of Italians showed most remarkable increase
in volume. fact due not only TO the more
active steps taken by the Italian government
10 promote the emigration Of dangerous
elements in the different Italian communities.
but also 10 the more energetic and more sys-
tematic methods adopted by steamship lines
TO swell the amount of their receipts from the
transportation of this class of foreign passen-
gers. The number of Italian immigrants to
this country in this year was l5.40l.
In 1882 il was 80. l59, in 1883, 3l.792. In 1884
the volume of this immigration fell off to
1850. and in 1885 declined still further 10
1862 In 1856 it rose again TO 1875, and in
1887 the number of Italian immigrants adj
Nduceu 10 ~, W., inc 4tIEtSl lIidt Hhu uiAA'itp
been recorded in the history Of the United
States. In 1888. 81 .5jS Italians landed on our
shores, but in 1889 the number declined 10
25,3O7. In the following year. 1899. the num-
Der rose 10 the uneXampled volume Of 5000
From these statistics. il will be seen that from
1881 to sCOinclusiyo. 3O7 $40 Italian immigrants
arrived in the United States. Of whom it is es-
timated that at least - 45s, nearly one-third
Of the whole number, had no calling which
would enable them 10 earn a livelihood. Prac-
tically, therefore. this proportion was COM
posed Of immigrants who were paupers, and
were. therefore. very heavy burden on the
community into which they were introduced.
In the last forty years about $500 Italians
have taken up their residence in this country.
about two-thirds of which number only have
been of such character as to become useful
and valuable citizens even in modified sense
The recent unfortunate condition of affairs in
New Orleans has thrown vivid light only on
one evil feature of unrestricted Italian immi-
grafton. There are other features not quito
so bad. but which are sufficiently alarming 10
Justify the utmost strlctness and frmness in
prohibiting the entrance into our ports of
every Italian immigrant whose general cir
cumstances do not sustain the propriety Of
comforting citizenship upon him. The same
test should be applied 10 every immigrant,
whatever his nationality.