The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-17
RESTRICT IMMIGRATION.

RESTRICT IMMIGRATION.
To the Editor OF the Eagle.
A recent number of the Independent
has a very interesting series of articles
on the evils of unrestricted immigration,
contributed by Robert P. Porter, Senator
Chandler, S. L. Baldwin, d. D., and
others. Mr. Porter shows the increase,
by decades, during the past half century,
of undesirable immigrants and cites the
causes which have effected the change.
He shows that in the decade ending 1850
that of every 10000 immigrants who
came to this country, 6, 116 were from
the United Kingdom and 5000 from
Continental Europe, while during the
decade ending 1890, of every 10000 only
2,799 were from the United Kingdom
and 6,201 were from Continental Europe.
From official statistics he gives the in
crease or decrease from different coun-
tries for the periods named; and no one
can read his article without being thor
oughly impressed with the grave neces-
sity for early legislation adequate to stop
this tide of degraded immigrants now
pouring into this country. 1t is ques-
ton which can be treated without party
bias or prejudice, and should be one OF
the first questions to have the considera-
ton of the Fifty second congress.
In considering this question it should
be borne in mind that in 1850 our popu-
lation was about seventeen millions, and
that then the population of our cities
and towns numbered about one and
half millions, while now the population
of our cities and towns numbers about
eighteen millions, and that these I'M
desirable immigrants seek centers of
population, crowding into our cities,
mining and manufacturing districts, to
the corrupting of municipal govern
ments, increase of pauperism and crimi-
mails, and sowing and propagating senti-
ments hostile to our free American insti-
buttons.
Senator Chandler emphasizes the nee
essity for consular supervision of emil
grants to the extent that emigrants shall
be required to procure certificate from
a United States consul before embarking
for this country. DR.. Baldwin thinks
we have been unduly prejudiced against
the Chinese, and what he says is worthy
of careful consideration. He states facts
which may give us more unfavorable
opinions of the Chinese in this county
than we have previously had.
Mr.. II. j. Dolly, secretary of
the American Defense association.
writes to prove that this
is question of paramount importance
to tariff, free coinage" or govern
ment loans" He says: 1.-THE American
workman, when he receives his just
compensation, 90 per cent. of his earn
ings are Immediately put in circulation
in identifying his home, feeding and
clothing his family and educating his
children, thus causing consumption of
goods of various kinds" He refers to |
the modes of life of the Hungarians and |
Italians who come here, and who, he |
states. consume but 90 per cent of their |
earnings, the remainder of their earn
ings being withdrawn from circulation. /
Mr.. Gompers, president of the Ameri- |
can Federation of Labor, illustrates how |
unjustly the introduction of degraded /
into this country discriminates
against American workmen, and inter
feres, eventually, with the prosperity of |
all classes. calling attention to the fact /
that "iu countries where wages are low,
the rich men are paupers when COM
pared to the rich men of the countries
where wages are higher" He thinks If
these people we wish to keep out of this
were compelled TO remain
in the lands of their nativity,
their own governments not being
relieved of the responsibility and neces-
sity for,their amelioration by emigration.
would work out, in time, the salvation
Of these people at home. Mo- here else
have seen a so thorough and interesting
discussion of this question, in all of lis
phases, as l found in the Independent.
When l was a mere lad 1 remember
hearing a song commonly sung. in which
we invited people to
Come from every nation, come from every
way,
For Uncle Sam is rich enough to give all
farm"
We were prodigal OF natural resources
n those days. But we gave our lands
hen to worthy Scotch, Irish. Germans
and Scsndanavians, who became good
md useful citizens, and who were in ac-
ord with our system of government
But in these latter days we have welcom-
ID 10 cur shores the pestiferous offscour-
ngs of the whole world We cannot
,ensure these people for fleeing from the
conditions which surround them in their
native landslide average American
would prefer death 70 a life under such 4
conditions as those ia which the lower
classes in some European countries live
can we bar these people out
II the class TO which We most particn
arly refer-Poles, Italians and
- had G disposition
10 become farmers we might 4
rot so much fear their coming here. (
But they have not such inclination. (
Their disposition Is TO horde together
Ind like cattle. Mr.. Porter says: ''Du-
ing the period from 1870 TO 1880 we
ind that the increase Of immigration
rom the United Kingdom wss - qer Z
'ent.; from Germany 90 pr cent; Bo-
1emians, slaves. etc. 225 per cent; from
Hungary SIS per cent; from Italy 40
eer cent; from Russia and Poland S.5
Der cent To say nothing dIsparsging-
v Of the character Of the class Of ITnfBi-
grants most rapidly increasing, It can I