The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-01-13
THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.

Congressman Lind does not favor
the proposition of Senator Chandler
for the entire suspension of immi-
grafton for one year. Speaking upon
the subject he said that such a
measure would be wrong in princi-
pie, and contrary to the fundamental
ideas of the American government.
He would favor literacy as qualifi-
cation of intending immigrants, and
also system of examination, which
would insure this country the very
best people of Europe, and would at
the same time prevent paupers and
criminals from seeking refuge here
He thinks that every immigrant
should be able to read and write.
That qualification would prevent
thousands of the ignorant classes of
Europe from flockIng to our shores.
We would get then, he says, the most
desirable Immigration from Northern
Italy, and yet would avoid the Malta
immigration from Southern Italy and
and adjoining islands Educational
qualifications, he claims, would bring
the very best from Germany, Sweden,
Norway and Denmark, as we'll as from
England, Ireland and France. He
suggests that every immigrant be
compelled to write brief history of
himself, stating where he comes from,
to what part of the United States he
intends to go, answer all questions
connected with his nativity, past life
and health, which would be deemed
necessary for securing the best class
of immigrants, and copy of this
statement should be filed in the Office
of the Secretary of State in Washing
ton, and the immigrant be compelled
to present copy to the officer to
whom he makes application for citi-
zenship. Opportunities would thus
be afforded the United States govern
ment to ascertain whether the immi-
grant told the truth concerning him
self, and, if he did not, and was a
steamship company bringing him
here should be compelled to return
him to the port from whence he en-
barked,
i There is a difference of opinion
among those who are qualified to
speak upon the subject, as to the eff
fectiveness of the educational qualif-
cation That it would have the eff
feet of keeping out thousands of
criminals and paupers, no one will
deny. But there are many in the
criminal class, especially those of an
archistic tendencies, who are educat-
ed up to that point where they could
easily pass the examination. The
question as to what is the best course
to pursue is a most difficult one, and
should be handled very carefully.
There is one suggestion which Mr..
Lind makes, however, that should be
acted upon, and that is that steam
ship companies should be compelled to
!, pay more attention to the shipment
of passengers, and not be allowed to
drop mob Of steerage passengers at
some port at any time they see fit.
The United States government, he
says, compels steamship companies in
the carrying of stock to furnish so
i head of neat cattle that is carried,
and yet human beings from Europe
, are crowded into the hold of the ship
: without regard to the proper ventila-
tion and health Of the passengers.
, He also thinks that the landing Of
immigrants should be restricted to
/ one or two ports. He says that prac-
7 tically now immigration comes to
one port-New York-and that a bet
ter system Of inspection would be af-
, forded if they were compelled to land
there.
Mr.. Lind opposes any system of con-
sular inspection abroad, for the rea-
son that it will prevent the securing
: of just that class of Immigrant Ne
, want. Those who make our best oioi-
zens, he says, are the young men WHO
wish to escape military service. Any
inspection abroad, he holds, would
simply advertise the fact that they
intended to leave the country, and
lead the government to take steps to
, prevent it. For this reason, he says,
f rigid examination abroad is inadvis-
able. When the matter comes up in
the House he will try to get the bill
) amended on the line he suggests.
WHEN Mr.. Cleveland says in ref