New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-25
TO KEEP OUT IMMIGRANTS
SENATOR CHANDELIERS PLANS FOR RE-
STHCTIONS
HE THINKS THE TIME HAS COME FOR CONGRESS
AND THE PEOPLE To TAKE UP THE
oUE:TON AND SETTLE 1T.

Senator william f. Chandler. Of New-llampshlre' Is
here for the purpose of attending meeting ot tie
Committee on immigration Of the United states
senate, Of which hc is chairman. The OTHER mem
bers Seniors Hale Of Maine; Squire. OF washing
ton Proctor OF Vermont Du Bols OF Idaho; Voorhees,
Of Indiana McIherson. Of NewJersey; Gray. OF Mary
land IIil OF New York Faulkner. Of West Virginia,
and Call. of Florida Mr.. Mcpherson was some time
substituted for Mr. Call upon the committee, but
the chairman has summoned both. the two to have
only vote In the committees deliberations Al
though 1t will meet today, quorum for work Is not
expected until Monday.
senator Chandler WIS seen at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel last evening by Tribune reporter. and was
asked what matters OF importance were to be con
sidcred by his committee.
The subject which Will be brought before the com
m.tee" he replied. "ls the question OF restricting
immigration The tims has come. in my judgment.
to test the OF the American Congress and the
American people. and to discover what ought 10 be
done In this direction. | take II that the American
people demand increased limitations and It is the
duty OF Congress to Ind out how strong the demand
IS. and TO what extent immigration should be re-
strictci.
"The senate. at rs last session passed an amend
mcnt to the very useful net ~ 1891. which requires
tho steamship companies Bringing Immigrants t) pre-
pare upon tie other side "A list Of such passengers
similar to that which the United states Immigration
officers are now required make on the arrival Of
the vessel IN our ports. This will compel the com
panies T. make thc same inquiries are now mado
here by officers to prevent the landing Of Grim
nalS. paupcrs IDIOTS imbecics. contract hborcrs ana
person, liable to become charge upon the public
THIS Is only what the steamship companies ought to
do Of their own volitlon. This manifest or list u
names is to be handed 10 our officers on trc
arrival Of the ship. There IS this addition made in
the act. passed by the senate. that It adds polygl
mlss' to the list Of immigrants prohibited from coming
10 this country.
But far the spirit Of the lcgi .htlon passed By
Conrrc-- has been 10 keep ont bad people only.
think It Is the OF our citizenship that Congrcs,
sLnI 90 further. have thcrcf re- three propositions
which expect 10 lay before the committee for its
Id ration The first regards the su jcct OF cducnton
| would propose clause prUtiding that all persons
admitted to this country Hereafter shall De able read
and write. n they Of suitable ngr. Children too
young 10 be expected to have acquired this knowledge
should. Of course. be- excepted, Well. perhaps, rs
those who very old. am not prepared. as yet to
say that all Immigrants shall have learned the English
language. eore. believe. favor such rc.trctIon.
but nm not ready to 20 any further than to insist
that all corners shall be able 10 read ana write their
own language
The second point Is the question Of mcans-thc
property qualification. suppose We shall say that
an individual coming alone must have at least 500.
II hr Is lqingng l. wife he should have means.
each additional child. I would not require him to
say how much he ia, With him. for that might only
De notice to tie sharks who lie in wait 10 plinder
Immigrants. and aid their pan- OF robbery. But Il
an Immigrant Is possessed Of 800 It would De-
guarantee that he is able take Of himself for
n month more, II least. after landing In the list
II questions prescribed FOR steamship people to ask
before accepting an Immigrant NJ the port Of de.
pariurc is, Has he $50 In money! A. the law
stands. no special sum Is specified. The whole
matter Is left to the discretion Of the superintendent,
of Immigration.
The las, proposition is the most important OF all.
Are the American people prepared to suspend all i'm
migration for time OF. say. i've years | think this
is very oppOr,une tine 10 put this matter before
congress and II should Dee In non partisan way.
Now during the few months during which the Govern
mcnt Is being transferred nom great party to
other the question can be- considered without regard
to political advantage. though were / a Democrat,
should he inciucd ~ favor IT. for believe that In
other way than complete suspension Of Immigration
can wages De- maintained at their present standard.
drop Ia wages during the coming Admin raon viii
most aasurcdiy sweep It out Of power.
There must Dee exceptions made. Of course,
In pcrfectine legislation which ha, Tor
Its object the shutting out OF mmigrt-
lion. Passports Will have 10 b. issued hy our
coiisuls abroad. other AUTHORITY. visitors coming
here, and we limit the time they Inay rcmaln and
the passport may be- extended for good and sufficient
reason, and penalty imposed If it, terms not
compiled with. We cinnot exclude ;rv Hers ami
come to spend iiclr money mere, ana all wlO
are citizens, or have established h'm", must, of
course, be permitted 10 return. Then, II would not
be- wise 10 domestic r,at IN, bY the law. II
AN intending Immigrant hao n husband or wife brother
nr sister, parent clld In this country whom he or
,h, il nnAlUus to join. the permission should be
granted 1nl9 be regulated wisely and Justly.
The same provi Ions relative to person, coming
from Europe or clscwher" beyond the would have
40 bee enforced a. 10 tanaua and all our frontiers.
have not fully formulated my theory Gs TO this pro
posed lce -laiuI and | dn not wish IL to b, under
stool that / ready 10 fight IL through Congress.
When 1t is ready for presentation want II be In
such shape that IL cannot be gardrd Il party
measure hut as which will be recognized n the
mandate Of the people. independent Of party. The
whole subject. therefore. should have the fullest and
frecst di5cu-sluu."
How long Will Il require t. put such a law into
execution i' senator Chandler was asked.
1t will take. probably. until year from the 4th Of
March next was the reply.