The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-02-27
Tho Immigration Problem.

1t is much to be hoped that the I'M
migration matter may DO taken hold OF
vigorously and disposed Of for the COM
mon advantage before circumstances
force it into the realm Of partisan
politics.
The question appeals to the common
sense and the patriotism of citizenship
Of all kinds, native or adopted, OF all
conditions and ofall parties. 1t has the
keenest immediate interest for the wage.
earners OF the country, which is another
way to say that it is Of profound moment
to tho great majority Of the people
with whom there would be no country
to speak OF.
Happily we have got away from the
idea that this country is to BIO forever
the home Of the oppressed OF all lands,
whether their coming be Of advantage
or disadvantage to us. In, our legisla.
ton cutting off Chinese immigration,
in our contract labor laws, in our laws
prohibiting the coming Of paupers,
criminals and others likely to become
public charge or a public danger, we
have clearly and emphatically asserted
the wholesome principle that we no
longer hold ourselves helpless to deny
residence and citizenship to whom wo
do not want.
The universal asylum idea may have
been very well in an earlier day, when
less advantage was taken OF it and
when the scheme of assisted emigra-
tion," the deportation Of criminals and
paupers in bulk, had not yet been in
vented. With immigrants Of all sorts,
largely undesirable sorts, pouring in on
us at the rate of half n million a year,
representing SO many mouths to BIO fed
and backs to be clothed, it is the COM
mon instinct of self-preservation which
asks us what we are going to do about
it. IS
S. The newcomers must gain liveli-
hood or be maintained at the expense
OF those who work, and SO long as they
continue to come we must try to absorb
them into the whole body OF tho peo-
plo. Most OF them. let it be admitted,
come to work. What does this mean?
1t means that they come to compete for
work and wages in a labor market in
which our own labor is struggling. to
maintain the standard Of its wages and
the stability Of its employment.
We make logical and humane and
patriotic effort to preserve to our wage
earners their work and their wages
through protective tariff, and through
this instrumentality We accomplish
: vast deal OF good for tho whole country;
but it has become necessary to COM
plcto the circle OF protection by erecting
barrier against tho producers from
othcr lands, as we'll as their products.
10 meet this situation tho INrELL1-
GENcER has proposed tax OF $500 on
, every immigrant fit to DO let into the
country at all. The object OF the tax
would BIO to reduce the number and
improve the quality of the immigrants,
each desirable end. The scum OF
Europe will not come rushing at the
rate OF tax proposed. Those who do
come will BIO above the average, and
they will contribute only reasonable
initiation lee to admit them to the full
benefits OF this great national society OF
ours. Every man, woman and child
that comes is by the mere act of coming
admitted to equal ownership in all the
public property accumulated by years
Of toll and taxing - national, state,
county, city property-and to equal
privileges with the Oldest and the best
ofour citizens.
This country belongs to those who
are here and have made it. We have a
right to keep it Tor ourselves and our
prosperity. We can lot in or keep out
e whom wo will and for reasons satisfac-
tory to on selves, Tho sooner we begin
to turn back tho tide the better for the
country. II
Tho question is too much alive to be
kept in the background. Every steamer
that comes across the ocean thrusts the
matter before our eyes. Every man in
the country knows what's going on and
what it means. Behind those who
come is the tremendous pressure OF
thosewho will come as soon as they get
the opportunity. Hall y million immi.
grants n year may easily be doubled
withoutmakin. any serious impression
4 on the reserve force OF possible i'm
migrants.
This is good time for the people to
speak out and let Congress know what
they want done about it. b
SENAyoNtlCAY's health is improving
and due.roUrsc Of mai he will be on
deck again. There is enough at HON,