The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-07

and so far as can learn from the litera-
ture on this subject, there Is no country
in the world in which citizenship Is so 1
cheaply obtained as in the United states
The general question of restrictive meas
ures as against the incoming mass Is one /
of the most important that can be con-
sidered. whether viewed from an econ /
Omic or political standpoint, and viewed I
from an American standpoint there 4
is no doubt the welfare OF 4
the country demands moro re-
strictive measure than the present laws I
seem TO be able to furnish. Thus of the Il
fifteen insane persons and eleven idiots
that were reported by the medical officer /,
in New York, four of the insane and al I
of the idiots were permitted to land.
The advocacy of restrictions upon I'M !
migration does not necessarily imply |
hostility to foreigners, nor legislation
adverse to the interests OF those natural
lied citizens now in this country. On
the contrary, is believed TO be for the
general interest of those now on the soil,
who. having been vested with the rights
of citizenship, are entitled 70 all the pro-
| lection that our laws can give; ana IL Is
in their interest not less than IN that oil
the natural born citizen that further IN
| fux of persons not bringing skilled labor
or material wealth TO the country should
| be restricted. 1t ought to be privilege
| to be an American citizen, and as nat
uraliZatiOn Is grautous conces-
| sion to the immigrant, the I'M
migrant should be OF such
character, morally, intellectually, and
| physically. as would make him more
| or less valuable addition 10 the body
polite. and it would appear that the
/ least the immigrant could do in return Tor
| this concession would be to render cheer
| full obedience and conformity to the laws
! of his adopted country. But III many
| instances this has not been the expert
/ ence. We witness in New Orleans ana
! Chicago. for instance, the fact that GER
/ tain foreign nationahtieS insist ON MAIN
/ tanning their murderouS assassination
! societies and putting them III practice on
our own soil. in cOntraventlon OF our
laws and of the public peace, and TINS
! leads irresistiblv to the conclusion that
/ the class of immigrants has changed
from the classes of former times.
1t is suggested that the law be amend
/ ed so as to provide that hereafter any
person intending to emigrate to the
I United States shall produce TO the United
States consul nearest him evidence from
the proper local authorities satisfactory
to the consul that he has not been con
! yicted of any crime, that he has not at
any time been a public charge IN the
country where he lives, nor has he at
anv time received public assistance, and,
further. that he also produce 10 the con
sui a certificate from a legally qualified
resident physician To the effect that such
emigrant is at the time suffering from no
contagious or epidemic disease or dlsa-
biljtv such as would make him pubic
charge. On the production OF these GER
tificates to the consul he shall issue to
the intending immigrant his certificate
TO the effect that the foregoing evidence
has been furnished by him and placed on
file at the consulate. This paper
should also set forth whether
the immigrant intends To be-
come a naturalized citizen OF the
United States or merely a temporary IN
habitant. the certificate to be given to
the immigrant. and on his arrival IN thus
country taken up by the proper officer
at the port of destination; tins TO be taken
as presumptive evidence that the man
possesses the preliminary qualifications
for American citizenship, and as such u
be furnished the court of naturalization
on demand
This course would at once place the
immigrant under the surveillance of the
proper officer of the United States, would
effectually shut out the criminal classes,
and operate very much for the reilet OF
the inspection bureau at our ports oil
entry.
During the last six years, under the
operations of existing laws, the vast
number of 9. 666, 216 immigrants have ar
rived on our shores. The introduction
of this vast number of people into our
poIiticaI organization, most of whom are
entirely ignorant of our traditions, Gus
toms and laws. cannot be viewed with
out concern and apprehension and with,
out making a suggestion looking TO sun
further restrictions. 1t is not unreason-
able to insist upon the most rigid con.
struction of existing laws III favor OF
those who are not here less than IN the
interest of the natural-born citizen