Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-28
ANARCHISTS MAY STILL COME IN.

There will be very general feeling of re-
gret that the bill which passed the senate,
providing for the exclusion from the country
of alien anarchists, did not pass the house
and must go over to the next session. Ac-
cording to the commissioner Of immigration,
and the statement has been confirmed on
the floor of congress, q large number of
European anarchists are on their way to the
United States. The commissioners Is reported
as saying that between 400 and 500 anarch-
lists, representing the scum OF the continent,
recently left German ports on their way to
this country. He expressed the opinion that
unless something was done Immediately
there was danger of trouble IN the future
from these people. As the law now is, after
one of these anarchists gets into this coun-
try, even when expelled from Europe, there
Is no way to get rid of him. The case is
cited of q prominent anarchist who recently
arrived here. 1t has been ascertained since
he landed that he had been convicted in
England. but having been admitted there is
no way to deport him. The bill passed by
the senate not only provides for the exclusion
Of persons known to be anarchists or in SYM
pathy with anarchistic doctrines, but also
for the deportation of such persons who had
not become citizens of the United States.
The objections to the bill in the house were
that it did not define an anarchist, and that
it gave too much power to the authorities in
dealing with persons charged with being an
archlsts This, 1t was held afforded oppor
tunity for possible persecution and injustice
There is unquestionably very general
popular sentiment favorable to the exclusion
of alien anarchists and to Kidding the coun-
try of those already here, but there is also
very proper feeling that legislation for this
purpose should be clear and explicit in its
| definitions and so carefully drawn to
render almost impossible any wrong or in
Justice to individuals in it's operation. The
| American people have no sympathy with an
archIsm, but they want it treated in a way
that will not bring reproach upon them as a
Just people. There is not, or at any rate
there should not be. any politics in this mat
| ter. Every man who respects law and order
and desires the preservation of the public
| peace will agree in demanding that persons
| hostile to these conditions be kept out of the
| country. Nobody wishes the United
| States to be made the asylum
! Of men the cardinal principles oil
whose doctrine are murder and the destruo-
tion of property All good citizens, irrespec-
tive of political affiliations, must agree that
there is no good reason why this republic
should give refuge and liberation to these
people,
1t is to be apprehended that the present
failure OF this measure will be taken ad
vantage Of by a large number Of European
anarchists to fee to the United States, fol
European governments will not fail TO take
advantage of the opportunity TO drive a:
many as possible out Of their territory, Tht
police authorities of nearly every European
country are active in hunting down anarch
lists. and with this country still open t.
them they may be expected to come here by
hundreds. Undoubtedly the proposed meas
ure will finally become law. but it is likely
that in the meanwhile the anarchist elemen
In the United States viii be materially in
creased.