The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-10-18
COSMOS ON IMMIGRATION.
The Club Discusses the A~dvisability of
Its Restriction Opinions Differ.

The Club Discusses the Advisability of
Its Restriction Opinions Differ.
The October meeting of the Cosmos
Club, the first OF the season. was held last
evening at the Hotel Washington. About
twenty members were present. The club
assembled ia the dining room at half
past six, with President James Flemmin9
ut the head of the table. and after the
discussion of an elaborate menu, enliv-
eped by music by the hotel orchestra, the
subject for The evenings consideration
was taken up.
President Flemmiug stated the qaes-
ton: "choul Immigration be Restricted,
and If SO How?" and called upon Frank
.. Cole for an expression of his views.
Mr.. Cole thought any foreigner who had
tue courage to come with his family to il
new country of which lie knew next to
nothing, Whose language he did not even
understand, had the material in him to
make u good Citizen. and Americans
should continue TO invite them to come.
The question should be left alone and
allowed to solve itself. He believed the
Chinese had been badly treated.
Mayor u. X. Pangborn Thought the
great body of immigration had been nee
!, cessary to open up and oc upy the vast
tracts of land and should be considered
in the light Of resulting conditions. He
would not restrict immigration in gen.
eral, but in the case of most undesirable
elements sent here, not of their own
volition, it was time TO call a halt. He
considered a per capital tax of perhaps
500 to be refunded with interest after
three years residences, u good cheek upon
the worst classes. He jusilaed the exclu-
sion of the Chinese and Russian paupers.
Mr.. Heike believed there was still
plenty of room for all corners, and
~-t 49, $500 . Is
forty years ago made no difference. He
considered a large foreign vote dangerous
to the interests of the country, but
thought most foreigners came here to
make money rather than TO vote. He
looked upon the Chinaman as q good citi-
zen who gave more tina he received.
Ex-Mxyor Gilbert Collins was in favor of
immigration with limited restrictions.
Mr.. f. w. Pangborn believed admis-
sion to the country and the use of the
elective frauchIse should both be based
on u standard of intelligence. AL should
be able to read n write. Counselor
Babbi,t thought the check should be
placed at the fountain head. aud all emf
grants carefully inspected by our onsula
service, as to their moral. physical aud
financial condition, before embarking.
The Rev. DR.. Brett said the question of
immigration was not new. 1t was pro-
baby discussed bY the Indians at San
Salvador when Columbus landed. and
had been a burning question upon the
arrival of every new nationality and would
continue SO to the end. He advocated
letting them ceme, with the assurance OF
the survival of the ittest.
MIR Dear said the tirst abuse of immigra-
ton was made by American contractors
in Pennsylvania, Ia sending for Bohemi-
aus and Hungarians to take the placs of
striking miners. He considered Il Q vast
mass of immigrants honest, weIl-meaning
and Industrious. and did not think re.
| sIriction desirable.
Mr.. Edward San born believed immigra-
ton necessary for the development of the
country, but as far as possible a more
even distribution should be encouraged,
as the tendency to congregate in large
cities resulted in nan of the evils com.
pla!ned oil. He thought existing laws
sufficient. If properly enforced, to regn-
late the subject and restrict undesir BILE
elements, and that a more determined
effort should be made to exclude those o.
known anarchistic and criminal ante
cedents.
Tbs club adjourned at half past ten, al.
ter deciding to hold the November meet
ing at the residence of President Elem
ming, when the discussion will be upon
Tennyson, led by Ex-Mayor Gilbert Col
Inns, on which occasion the ladies will be
invited to attend.