Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-10
Reform Of the immigration Laws

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In formor years it was an ex-
pensive and difficult matter for
emigrantS in Europe to reach the
shores of the new world, and it was
chiefly those of pluck and health
who were able to do so. They
made good citizens. and almost
Immediately assimilated with the
general population. In those days
the finest of agricultural lands were
open to settlers, for homesteads,
free of cost.
But great changes have taken
place within the past decade.
Steamers have greatly increased,
passage charges have been re-
duced, and the facilities for trans
port Of passengers from the re-
hottest corners of the earth to this
country have been greatly multi
piled. The governments of Eng
land, France, Germany, Russia,
Norway, Sweden, Italy, Turkey, to
say nothing Of China, have found
out that the cheapest, easiest and
most effective way to get rid of
their diseased people, their lunatics,
pauperS and criminals, is to ship
them to the United States, and
here they come and keep coming
in larger numbers. Russia has
expelled her poor Jews and they
are now pouring into this country.
The irregular or so-called tramp
steamers bring great numbers, and
these boats come stuffed full with
the lowest classes of immigrants.
The new arrivals embrace, it is
true, many good and substantial
individuals whose coming may be
welcomed. But still there are
thousands Of the unworthy, the
only result of whose presence is
to spread crime and disease, and
fill our prisons, hospitals and poor
houses.
1t is far more difficult now
than formerly to dispose
of immigrants. There are no
longer any free homesteads to be
given away. The best agricultural
lands are occupied. The immi-
grants, now, in general, of lower
grade than heretofore, crowd to-
gether into special settlements of
their own, establishing as it were
separate communities where their
language and often degrading GUS
toms wholly prevail, where English
is not allowed to be spoken and
Americans not permitted to live.
These communities are as distinct
and separate as in Chinatown in
the heart of San Francisco. All
these are dangerous nests of foreign
influence which bode no good to
our existing laws and institutions.
1t is time that new and more
closely discriminating statutes were
adopted in respect to immigration,
and we are glad that movement
in this direction is on foot in
Congress.
The proposed new law contains,
among others, the following
features;
I. No paupers, diseased per-
sons or criminals are to be received.
?. Owners of steamers must
deposit with government the sum
of fifty thousand dollars as security
against the landing Of such persons
aud IN payment of costs for care
md return if landed.
5. If any person landed proves,
within two years, to be pauper,
diseased or criminal, he is to be
taken back at the cost Of the
steamer.
4. Special stations for the
examinations of intending i'm
migrants are to be established in
foreign countries, to be con-
Quoted by American officers.
5. More stringent regulations
are to be adopted in the exami
nation of arriving immigrants.
6. Steamers must pay a head
tax one dollar on each immigrant
they land. The present tax is
fifty cents. The increased amount
is to be used to cover the additional
which the new law will
involve.
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