Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-05
An Immigration Idea.
70 the Editor of The Dtspatcb:


Will you please grant me space for a few
suggestions upon the subject of restriction
of immigration that has received so much
attention of late, both editorially and by
press writer's. Some have advocated a tax
varying from S. up to $780, which to my mind
would be unjust and unconstitutional Do
not tax the immigrant who wants to make
this country his home. Let his entrance
here be as free as possible, yet throw around
it safeguards to protect us from the influx
of undesirable citizens criminals, imbeciles
and paupers.
First-I would require all foreigners to
procure certificates of good moral character
from authorized officers of their home gov
ernment, signed and vouched for by certain
citizens of long acquaintance at their homes,
and if married or single.
Second-An examination by a competent
physician regarding their health-if reason
ably sound, physically, mentally, toge ther
with age, birthplace, description, height, etc.,
for future Identification. All the above to
be signed by officers of the Government
from which they come and properly attested
by our Minister or Representatives to their
country.
Third-Upon lam ding require all such fmmf-
grants or foreigners, coming here to make a
that they will take out naturalization papers
within the period of five years from date of
landing, or return again to their country;
and if they do not become naturdlized citi-
zens during that period, to be subject to ar
rest and Iorcible return to the land from
which they came, and not allowed to return
again. All these papers to be signed in du-
plicate, one copy to be kept on file at the
port of landing and duly recorded in a book
of records for that purpose, the Immigrant
to keep copy for his own use>and benefit.
At each taking of the census require all
people of foreign birth to state If they are
naturaliZed citizens, date and place of land
ing and show their naturalization papers,
all such as have not conformed to the law to
be so noted on the census returns and re-
ported to the Sheriff or municipal officers,
whose duty it shall be to see that the law
is complied with.
Fourth-An persons (not minors accom-
panied by their parents) to have a certain
sum of money to support themselves at least
son produces q bond from some relative,
father, brother, sister, son or daughter al
ready a citizen of this country, that they will
be personally responsible for their support
and maintenance.
Fifth-All foreigners now living in this
country to take ont naturalization papers
within a period of at least ten years, or re-
turn to their native land.
This would not be arbitrary in its bear
1ngs, would prevent the present influx OF
class Of people who are menace to our
country and dangerous to our society. 1t
would soon mako the people Of this country
American citizens, and with the duties that
would devolve upon them as such they
would become better citizens in the broad
est sense.
As "this Is a Government of the people, for
the people and by the people," let the peo-
pie suggest ideas regarding this subject of
immigration, and from the multitude of sug-
gestions some form of law may be devised
that shall prove blessing to those already
j. L. ANDERSON.
: PrTsBURa, March