The record-union., 1893-12-06

In reading these figures it must be kept
in mind that Italians go to Italy in large
numbers every year to spend the holi-
days and return in the spring. They rep
resent in normal years, therefore, the
well-to-do classes, as judged by their low
standard of living. An Italian traveller
will 90 in the steerage even if he has
made a fortune sufficient to live on like a
nobleman at home. But the totals Of
German destination represent failures in
American life. a German goes home in
the second or first cabin II he has made
anything at all, so that their steerage fig
ures have greater significance in tracing
causes. The company quoted advanced
rates in July on German steamers, and
on all at the beginning of September,
which facts account for the drop In the
August German total and in both col
umns in September.
Causes Of the exodus are traced very
easily by inquiry at random OF lndlVld-
ualS and steamship company officers,
and by comparison Of present figures
with those of previous years. Germans,
Poles and BOhemians on the way back
are almost destitute, and many Of them
are returning on money advanced by
friends in the old countries. l talked
with nearly hundred, and their stories
were all alike. They came with some
money, and opened shops or worked at
till the business depression and the panic
came, when they sold all they had in or
der to flee. On the survival OF the fittest
theory their departure is good, for
they came among thousands and by their
departure rid US of the Weaklings OF the
multitudes.
Italians are carrying great deal Of
money with them. 1t is divided into
small sums, but the total will be high.
They grin as they confess their success in
our prosperous period and their deser-
tion at the turning Of affairs here. Many
OF them say they meant to stay longer
and get more, but now they will make an
end of it all and go home, to remain the
rest of their days. They, like the Ger
mans and all others, are carrying back
tales which will reduce immigration for
years. How long, it is difficult to say,
but an idea may be obtained when the
records are read back over similar peri
ods.
These records of previous panic years
would show plainly the cause of the out
flow of aliens, If an explanation were
difficult to find. In 1887 there was panic
in the United States and in 1888 the num-
ber of immigrants fell off from 79,340 to
3S,9l4 Quickly the inflow was resumed,
not to be checked again till the financial
troubles of 1854 were heard of abroad.
Then from 427, 1873 in 1854 the number fell
to 200,S77 in 1865 and to 1876, S57 in 1896.
Then two years elapsed before the re-
sumption of the process; 1857 was a dis
astrous year and again immigration fell,
this time to 119, sol in 1858, and to 1lS,6l6
in 1859. 1t did not revive till to-
ward the end Of the war, in 1864.
When it did revive it was held down by
the trouble connected with the specie
payment controversy, and was reduced
as low as 157, 776 in 1878. On up to 1892
the influx of aliens follows more and
more closely, with the increasing rapidity
of communication between nations, the
fluctuations of American prosperity. In
1890 the total was 476, 425; in 1891, 579, III;
in 1892, 644, ,353.
In 1893, the year ending June 30th, 440,-
793 came, drop of about 100000, or 33t
per cent. And that this falling off is to
continue and to become a still heavier
decrease is shown by later figures,
obtained from Ellis Island the
immigrant entry of the port of New
York. The records of arrivals made
there are complete for July, August, Sep
tember and October, and give a total OF
104, 499 for the third of a year. This in
flow is at the rate of 3l3, 497 for the year.
But two factors must be taken into ac-
count, and they change the aspect OF
things very much.
In the first place there is a marked and
steady decrease in the figures when read
by months, as in the following table:
July. August. Sept. Oct.
Totals....36, 551 23,309 21,797 15,466
Here the effect Of the news of the June
panic is seen in the August decrease OF
5000 and in the decrease of over 80 per
cent. between July and October. And
from what could be made out OF the No
vember records the decline will be even
more marked in this month.
Another factor, however, is the contin-
uous arrival of Hebrews from Russia