The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-24
RESTRICTING IMMIGRATION.

The United States Senate has before it
a report presented by the Committee on
immigration which assigns three additional
grounds for the exclusion Of immigrants.
At present the law recognizes number of
grounds. Immigrants are not allowed to
land who are cOnyicts, lunatics. paupers or
idiots, or who have entered into contracts
for labor The total number excluded last
year under these heads was 1049, Of whom
1902 were paupers. In 1890 and 1891 the
number was considerably less. There were
also excluded and returned last year from
other causes 9S2 Immigrants. These rejec-
tions Of the unfit bear only a small proper
ton to the gigantic total Of immigration.
For the year ending June 30, 1892, the total
was 623, 084, 50 per cent of whom were
females The arrivals from Europe num-
bered COS, 472, of which Germany contributed
80, 57S, Austria Hungary so. 135. the United
Kingdom III. 1913, Russia S4493, Poland 49,
299, Italy 62.137, and Sweden 43, 247. But
arrivals through Canadian ports add fully
another 100000, making the total nearly
730 600.
It is recommended that hereafter all Hit
crates over u years of age be excluded,
with the exception that aged persons may
country. From 1881 to 1890, inclusive, q. 4
per cent or immigrants were under 10 years
of age, 6S1 per cent were between Is and 40,
and 100 per cent were over 40. Germany
furnishes the highest percentage of chill
dren. Ireland the highest percentage CSC
between Is and 40, and Italy the highest
percentage over 80. The iliterate test
would fail lightly on Germany. Sweden and
the United Kingdom, but would exclude
large numbers from Italy. Poland, Russia
and ria-Hungary. Questions may be
raised as to what is illiteracy. Is it inability
TO speak and write English or does it only
| apply to the three RS in the language OF
the immigrant.
The second new cause applies to those
who are partially or wholly disabled from
engaging in manual labor. This will in-
| yolve a test of individual cases. A man
who has lost one arm and one leg might
| still be capable Of sharpening scissors and
knives in the street. In Antwerp an artist
copies pictures and paints portraits who
was born without arms, and finds his feet
| sufficiently facile to WELD the brush and
| hold the palette. The cases Of all in this
/ class are TO be specially inquired into, and
! il passed it will be with the understanding
that they do not become a charge on the
| public.
! In the third class are included all per-
sons who are assoc ated with organiza-
tons making war on society by advocating
tie destruction of life and property. This
restriction viii apply to anarchists of the
| extreme type and TO certain groups OF
| immigrants who drift into this country from
Southern Italy. Russia and parts of Ger
many. Probably it will be extremely
| difficult to confront such immigrants with
proof of their utilization and deeds In the
past or designs in the future. but morally
the restriction is in the right direction. We
| have now reached the time when we
ought to inquire into the good character OF
our immigrants. just as a householder in
Quires into the character of servants