The herald., 1893-10-08
LETTER BAG.
[The HERALD under this heading prints com
,nunications, but does not assume eEponsi-
bflity for the sentiments expressed.l
The surplus Labor Problem.

30th uIt. american" charged that in
my letter which appeared in the last
preceding Issue OF the HERALD, ! dealt
with "effects" instead of causes" and
characterized 1t mistake"
The man just pierced by ball at the
hands OF would-be assassin expert
ences an effect which requires immedi-
ate and tangible treatment, and as soon
ss the danger line in his Gaze has been
reached justice demands attention to
the would-be assasein-the cause.
We are now confronted with condi-
tion and not a theory. There are many
thousands of unemployed men in the
country, winter Ia now at hand, and
nothing short OF immediate provision
and that on broad scale--for tiding
them over the winter can possibly pre-
vent much want and suffering.
While municipal and county govern
fnents have comparatively limited de-
mands upon these men, yet they will be
called upon to care for manyo OF them the
coming winter unlees, perchance, they
are otherwise. provided for.
On the contrary the general govern
ment holds peculiar demands upon
theee men, in common with all OF its
subjects, and, should this country at
any time be invaded by a foreign foe,
the general government would. should
the emergency require it, exercise i'm
mediate demand upon thom for their
full service in defence of the common
interest of the whole country.
Then why should not provision for the
care of the unemployed be national in
its character. aud especially 80 when, as
indicated in my letter above referred to,
and again in an editorial in the HERALD
the 3Oth ult. it may be made selisus-
tanning?
America" also alleged that the
''effect" OF government employment OF
the surplus labor would result in largely
increased immigration.
The compensation for such labor
should not be sufficient to justify such
results.
Furthermore. the privilege should be
confined to American citizens, and those
having declared intention to become
such.
agree, however, with America" in
that the "cause" if the conditions un-
der consideration is, partially. due to
the laxity of our immigration laws.
And having formulated my views re-
garding that phase of the question
through the courtesy Of the HERALD,
herewith submit them for the consider
alton of its readers, viz: immigration
can be neither profitable nor desirable,
except in those whose physical, educa-
tional and moral condition peculiarly fit
them for the preference of American in
stitutions; those who by instinct and
DO .lck
with us, for only such can acquire that
respect and admiration for our laws and
usages essential to loyal and patriotic
citizenship.
Tho great problem here presented is
as to what process of sitting shall be
adopted by which to encourage the inn
migration of this class of fofeigners and
the absolute exclusion of the objectiona-
BILE, there being of the latter several
divisions. among them the professional
anarchist, the dynamitcr, those having
been convicted OF crime, those afflicted
with contagious disease, the illiterate.
and such as possess no visible means of
self-support.
/ 1t might be we'll TO place the responsi-
bility with those who profit most by
their coming, viz, the transportation
companies.
Should congress pass q law defining
the prohibited classes and provide for
the imposition of heavy fine for the
landing Of such on our shores, no doubt
the ttAnsportation companies, both
steamships and overland, would soon de-
wise sndgadopt means requisite to the
demand.
As q further precautionary measure,
however, and to more fully ineure proper
Observance of such requirements, it
might be well to establish at every for
eign port q representative OF our govern
ment to assist in the examination of ap-
plicants for passage to the country.
Alec to advise the government should
the transportation company except for
passage any whom said representative
might suspect as belonging to the pro-
hibited classes, to the end that it might
be more fully prepared to enforce the
Law on their arrival here.
Much Of the disrespect shown for our
constitution and laws result from lack
Of knowledge of the English language,
and hence ignorance OF the true import
and intent OF the constitution and laws
Therefore, as a corrective measure
against such evils in the future,
would further suggest that congress pass
a law requiring foreigners, upon appii-
cation for naturalization, to answer, in
addition to questions now generally put
to them, such others as would insure
reasonable knowledge of the constitu-
tion on the part of the applicant, said
questions to be put in English and
answers required in the same language.
And in order to facilitate the prepara-
ton for such requirement, the govern
ment should print the constitution of
the United States in pamphlet form,
and ell laws regarding naturalization in
the various languages of the world, and
the same supplemented in the English
language.
Each and every foreigner. upon land
ing at our ports OF entry, should be- pre-
sented with copy of said pamphlet in
his own respective language.
Then au strangers in a strange land.
and having the constitution OF the
country and the requirements in order
to naturalization in their own language,
they would naturally familiarize them
selves Herewith, and if desirous OF
eventually becoming citizens, would, by
the time they were eligible, be able to
make intelligent and proper answers to
the questions asked upon their applica-
tion for citizenship.
And being thus equipped, they would
have better appreciation of and greater
respect for American institutions and
usages, and hence more thoroughly qual-
ified for the proper exercise of the right
of franchise; would be more American.
and therefore better citizens.