The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-29

Eiered at the postofice in Austin Texas, a.
seco d-cass matter
QUARANTINE AND IMM[GRA TION
Congressional investigating com
mjttees are developing some very in
teresting facts in regard to quaran'
tine and emil ration. The first ques'
ton that presents itself is one ofjuris'
diction. That is, whether the states
shall control local quarantine regula'
lions or whether the federal govern
ment shall be empowered to establish
regular and systematic quarantine
against all exotic diseases. 1t is a
question that ought to be above all
influence of partisan principles, but 1T
is Just one of the questions that cannot
be settled as it ought to be without
being influenced. by the principle OF
state rights.
1t is not always possible to apply
an abstract principle to sanitary
measure. 1t is impossible for us at all
times 10 fall back Oh an abstract right
aud declare we will not permit any
elasLic-it, in its application, because
it is yielding to an infringement on
the rights OF states. In the first
place it is questionable whether or
not quarantine which deals exclusive
ly with foreigners Is u right delegated
to the federal government, and
does not require any additional
authority from the states. At any
rate it is obvious that local quaran-
tine by the states is both inadequate
and productive of conflict both in
action anu authority. If New York
City quarantined against storage
passengers from Europe while pesti-
lence was decimating that country
and Norfolk refused to do SO, there
could he no protection against 1t, but
II one and the same jurisdiction ex-
listed both at New York and Norfolk
and all other harbors we would be
assured of protection. However dear
the abstract principle of states rights
may be, life is much dearer, and for
the purpose of establishing uniform
quarantine regulations the states
rig hts man would be very foolish and
stubborn not to admit that this was
one of the cases in which the principle
might ba more flexible than strict
construction would warrant.
One fact has come to light during
this investigation that ought to be
remedied, and that is that not more
than fifty per cebt of the Storage pas
sengers on the contip entail lines come
here as actual settlers, but that half
OF them buy return tickets and as
soon as the busy season of the year is
over they return to their homes in
Europe. 1t Is perhaps fair to apply the
same ratio to the English storage
passenA ers, which would give us the
astonishing fact that one-half of all
the immigrants reported only remain
here long enough to take home with
them wages that ought to go to
our own lsborers. We have opposed
heretofore any additional restrictions
to the immigration laws of the country
but we confess that we are compelled
to draw the line just here. Let every
actual settler whether he has money
or not, but who has the evidence of
being able to work and support him
self and family come in and enjoy all
the blessings of this great and free
country, but make it absolutely neces
sary for the emigrant to satisfy the
authorities that he will become bona
fide citizen of the country. We need
actual settlers, but we do not need
men who come here like the Chinese
to lower the wages of our laboring
population. 1t is unfair and unjust to
the working classes of the country and
ought not to be allowed. This could
easily be remedied by an amendment
to the law prohibiting the employment
by contract of foreign workmen with
out touching or disturbing the general
immigration laws. We have too
many good and honest native born
and adopted citizens who seek work
In vain to allow others from abroad to
walk in and gather the plums. This
Is an amendment that will suggest
itself without distinction of party to
all just and fair men and which should
be adopted Immediately at the pres
emit session of congress.
THE GOVERNORS ON EMIGRATION.
The New York World gives the
opinion of number of governors of
states on the subject of restricting
-, l.; Af oil