The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-15
The Fair and the Cholera.

Western congressman are somewhat
alarmed by the decision Of the North At
lantic Steamship Association 20 carry no
immigrants after Jan. l, and to raise pas
senger rates, to reduce the number Of trips
aud 90 withdraw excursion rates TO the
Chicago fair. 1t is evident that this action
will have the effect of keeping thousands Of
Europeans from the fair and may greatly
lessen the number OF exhibits from European
countries. Such q condition of affairs
would not be at all satisfactory to western
congressman and the managers of the
Chicago fair. They would like the steam
ship companies to increase the number Of
their voyages and to give low excursion
rates to Chicago visitors. They aP-
prove, Of course, the proposed
legislation 70 stop all immigration
for one year. They know very well cholera
is much more likely to be introduced into
this country by immigrants than by cabin
passengers, and that a few cases Of cholera
in New York or Chicago would ruin the fair
financially. They. therefore, favor the ex-
ciusion act which, it is understood, Senator
Chandler purposes 10 introduce into con-
gress, aud which, 1t Is believed, will meet
with very little opposition. The sentiment
in Washington is very generally in favor OF
it. Ii is Of the utmost Importance that
cholera shall be kept out of the country,
and mem ers OF congress and governmental
officials feel that they would be guilty Of .
neglect OF duty IL they should fail TO
take every reasonable precaution to prevent
its admission. The action of the steamship
companies is, OF course, greatly regretted, but
It is evideot they must look out for their
own interests. II their immigrant traffic 10
stopped they cannot afford to make as many
voyages as they now do, nor can they re-
duce passenger rates without suffering q
loss. They were not Influenced to reduce
the number OF voyages by desire to retail
ate for the hardships imposed upon them by
the Presidents message declaring quarau-
tine of twenty days. They looked at the
situation just as it is and came to the con-
clusion that, as the sentiment In favor of
excluding immigrants until all danger from
cholera was over was so general, they
would have to reduce expenses.
1t is well known at the treasury depart
ment that the cholera has not yet disap-
peared from Europe. Our consul at Ham
burg notified that department only few
days ago that there had been case Of the
disease there recently, and that the authorl-
ties prohibited any publicity being given
to it.
Even If there were no cholera in Europe,
no great harm would be done this country
by placing much greater restrictions
upon immigration than there are
at present A very large percentage
of the immigrants are undesirable. They
are people who cannot be easily assimilated,
and they have no love for our institutions.
Indeed, they do not take the trouble to
make themselves acquainted with them.
They are disturbing element In the COM
munities in which they settle, and make
little or no effort 70 Improve their moral
and intellectual condition. Even IL they
earn good wages they spend very little for
the comforts Of life. Their chief ambition
is to save enough to enable them to return
to their native land.
1t is pretty certain that very few immi-
grants will come to this country next year,
and it looks very much as il steamship travel
between this country and Europe would be
light, notwithstanding the attraction of the
Chicago fair.