The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-17
OPPOSITION is SHOWN.
To the Proposition to Restrict lmmi-
grafton for a Time.
MANYS S. COMPANIES ALARMED
Are Immigrants Needed for Menial Labor?
blaine Denies Conversion to Roman
ism-The Nicarauga Canal Discussion
Capt. Bomp's Transfer To Chicago.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.--There is to be
an organized opposition to the PROPOSE
tion to restrict immigration. Powerful
influence will undoubtedly be extended
10 defeat the amendment OF the bill which
win be favorably reported to the two
Houses to restrict immigration for at least
one year.
One of the points which is to be made
against this policy OF restriction is that
immigrants are needed TO perform the
menial labor of the country, and that TO
interfere with such work as n involved In
digging mp public streets or railroad con-
struction, will be serious matter.
1t win be said, also, that such measure
will encounter the opposition OF the farm
ers, who are already oppressed by the
high price of farm labor. The fact Is not
forgotten that towards the close OF the
campaign the argument that the protee-
tive policy had driven labor from the
farm to the manu- featuring cities and that
to restrict immigration would
Destroy an Important Source
of supply for farm hands, undoubtedly
had IN important effect upon the election.
The point is made that in the farming
districts, especially in New York and in
New England, 1t is difficult to obtain
farm labor, and that the reliance must be
placed upon immigrants who come from
Sweden or the Scandinavian peninsular,
and who are good farm hands.
1t will be maintained that 1t Will be
impossible to pass any discriminating law
exempting the citizens OF one nationality
from the restrictions on immigration, and
that in order to accomplish .he purpose
desired by the promoters OF the move
ment II will be necessary for Congress TO
practically prohibit immigration for the
time from all countries.
The probable attitude OF the steamship
companies with respect to this proposed
restrictive legislation Is a matter OF inter
est. While there Is some reason to be-
lieve that there Ia disposition on the
part of some Of the steamship companies
TO attempt to
Play q Game of Blur
with the government, yet 1t is certain that
those companies are sincere in their pro-
fessed determination to refuse to carry
on steerage traffic for q time. Stockhold-
srs in these companies are said to be Sc
riously alarmed since they believe that
such action, while 1t may be necessary
will so seriously cut into receipts as perhaps
to involve bankruptcy in the case OF some
of the companies. Two or three OF them
have never paid any dividends.
Even the greater lines find II necessary
to exercise careful management in order
TO secure any profits, whatever. The com
petition, especially In the demand for fast
and high class ocean service, has become
90 intense that millions of capital have
been sunk In building new vessels, and
1t will be some years before the companies
begin to receive returns on this. invest
ment. The talk OF some of the officers
who are here on this very subject Is that,
II the steeraRe traffic is abandoned, first
class cabin rates will be increased so that
the cheapest will cost goo, and the high
est even more fancy prices than are
now charged. Freight rates will proba-
bly, be advanced from 10 to 25 per cent,
with the increased cost to consumers
which such charges entail.