The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-27
OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS.

No public question is now attracting more
earnest attention than foreign immi-
grafton. The interest which has been felt in
this question has always been great, as was to
have been expected from its importance. but
in recent years this interest has deepencd into
anxiety, which, in consequence Of the dis
turbances in New Orleans. has now assumed
still more acute form. The readiness
with which the summary disposition Of
the Italian assassins in that CITY was
condoned by the leading papers in the North
ern States is an evidence Of the profound con-
Germ with which the influx Of foreign popula-
ton into this country is regarded even IN the
most conservative communities of the North.
That event only emphasized the necessity
which has long been clearly recognized, Of re-
stricting foreign immigration far more than is
now being done under the laws which are in
operation.
During the month of February alone it is
shown that not less than 10000 immigrants
landed on our shores. and for the eight
months ending in February. some 2G4. O6j i'm
migrants entered the different ports of the
United States A very large proportion of
this immigration was of q character that can
confer no advantage whatever by its
admission into our communities. II is
composed, if not of the very re-
fuse of European cities, still Of an
element of foreign population which foreign
governments are highly pleased to see re-
moved to some other country 50 as no longer
70. Ia l,1 IN ba tfae
which they desert. Every encouragement is
offered TO hasten the departure of this ele-
mcnt. as its withdrawal is another guarantee
of the stability of the institutions which
il leaves behind.
Into our lap this stream of dangerous i'm
migration is pouring without ceasing The
Anarchist, the anti-Christ, the assassin darken
the Republic with their shadows. II is not
strange that the American people are watch
ing this tide of immigration with growing
apprehension. Even the proportion of it
which is not open 10 personal criti-
cism is only serving to deepen
the already complex problems which
are presented for solution in this county. The
fierce competitive contest which is TO be OBJ
served in every branch of employment in our
largest cities is made still more bitter and mer-
CHESS by the accessions Of bread-winners from
abroad who with skill equal 10 that of native
Americans, are prepared 10 work at much
cheaper rates, fact which gives them an adj
vantage which they are not slow to recognize.
In the lowest walks Of life we see the for
eign laborer pushing his American competitor
into the background and gradually establish
ing himself in position which is unassailable.
very important part of our public works is
now being constructed by men who have
been introduced from Europe, and the readi-
ness with which this work is obtained by for
eigners on account of their willingness to dig
and build on the cheapest terms, is adding 10
the volume Of foreign immigration.
There is not large city at the North which
does not recognize that it may at any time be
precipitated into the situation so recently
occupied by Chicago and New Orleans, and
that only heroic measures can rescue it from
the peril which will then surround it. Unless
immigration - substantially curtailed,