Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-12-10
IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS
Propositions Submitted to the Sen
ate Investigating Committee.
BAR EUROPEANS FOR ONE YEAR

This Was the Most Important Sug-
gestion Made, Though No Definite
Action on the Question Has Yet
Been Taken Other Propositions.
New YORK, Nov. 30.-The senate COM
mittee on immigration resumed its ses-
sion yesterday at the Fifth Avenue ho-
tel. Five of the six members, including
Senators Chandler, Proctor, Grey, Hale
and Faulkner, were present. Senator
Call, of Florida, is detained in Washing
ton ON important business.
The most important proposition which
was submitted at the meeting was this:
THAT all immigration, except from
North and South American countries,
shall be suspended for one year from
March l, 1898, the law to be so framed
as not to hinder the free return of Amer
lean citizens or the easy admission Of
visitors"
Other suggestions made were:
mo immigrant shall be admitted to
the United States between the ages of
IL and So unless he can read and write
freely his native language, nor shall
person above 55, who cannot read or
write, be admitted unless he is a member
VI Stu liCOllllIS ldully.
''No immigrant shall be admitted I'M
less he possesses 800 in money. or its
equivalent, except that bead of fam
lily may bring with him or send for other
members of his family if he or they pos
sess SEQ for each member.
CAN persons seeking final naturaliza-
ton papers shall give reasonable notice
to the court to which he intends to
apply, or to some official representing
the government, who shall Investigate
the facts in the country from which the
immigrant comes, when the application
is considered.
"All intending immigrants shall bring
certificates from United States consuls
abroad, showing that they have satisfied
the consul that they have a right to adj
mission as immigrants"
No conclusion was reached in reference
to any of these propositions. The time
is SO short that the committee will prob
ably not submit bill with their report,
but the latter will, it is expected, be re-
ferred back to the committee by the
senate, with instructions to bring in q
bill.
The committee convened again at II
o'clock this forenoon, and is now in
secret session.
New YORK, Nov. 30.-The session of
the United States senate committee on
immigration was continued yesterday.
The committee was in session from IL
o'clock until nearly 8.
After the meeting a statement was
made to the representatives of the press
to the effect that the time had been
mostly consumed in the consideration OF
the aspect Of the question in relation to
the probability of the cholera visiting
this country next year. The shutting
down of immigration, it was argued,
would lessen the danger of such visit
materially.
The present indications are that the
committee will adopt the idea of limit
ing immigration to this country for one
year, and make it the basis for a report
to congress.
The subject of immigration is regarded
by many as q matter of great inn
portance. Those who have looked into
the matter say that if it continues I'M
restricted much longer it is sure to work
injury to the country, the most notice
able feature of that injury being re-
duction in wages. Another, and per-
haps the most serious aspect of the mat
ter, is that by keeping immigrants out
of the country next spring the chances
of cholera coming here will be ma
terially lessened
There are those who say that such a
course will mean the loss of a great
many dollars to the various steamship
companies, but they are answered to the
effect that that is of trifing importance
beside that of the health and well being
of 10000, 900 people.