The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-31
WE REsPEAK TT A WELCOME.

The annual State Council of the
Junior Order of United American
Mechanics will assemble in Elkton
ON April 18th, historic day in Mary
land. Apart from the benevolent
and beneficial features OF this organ
ization, the stand It has taken upon
the subject OF foreign immigration,
ought to commend it to every
patriotic American.
1t opposes, by peaceful and intelll,
gent methods, the constant landing
upon our shores OF hordes OF ignor-
ant, vicious and lawless criminals OF
the Old World, while it tenders
hearty welcome to all honest immi'
grants who desire 10 better their
condition and become part and
parcel of our nationality. But while
favoring this class of immigrants,and
which it may be truthiully said was
the kind of immigration intended to
be encouraged by the fathers OF Our
country. it merits comnendatlon
and support in the timely declaration
that 1--WE have not one square inch
of room for the Anarchist, the Soc
ialist, the Nihilist, or for anyone who
is not willing to bow allegiance to
the flag which is powerful enough to
shield and protect them as well as US
in the exercise Of all civil and
religious liberty"
1t is interesting,in this connection,
to know that one of the important
measures now awaiting action in
Congress is bill designed to make
better citizens of immigrants coming
to this country, and to lessen the
| number OF undesirable additions to
our population. This measure.
known as H. r. $40, was intro
| duced by Rep. VIM. A. Stone, of
| PENNSYLVANIA, a member of the Jr.
10. U. A. NJ, and has been favorably
reported to the House by the Judic-
larry Committee.
The purpose OF this bill is to pre-
vent the criminals and paupers OF
Europe from being sent here as
immigrants. Statistics show that
much too large a proportion of the
immigrants now coming here are
incapable of self support. By the
last census, the per cent OF persons
born in foreign countries is 14.77
per cent, and yet this census shows
that 26 per cent. of the white pris-
oners confined in jails and simple
prisons are persons Of foreign birth.
The total number OF white convicts
in our penitentlaries whose birth place
is known is 2S,44o, composed OF
1918 native born and 4,725 foreign
born, showing that more than one
half of all our white convicts are OF
foreign birth. Our benevolent
institutions contain 90, 96s inmates
by the last census = X = of
which the foreign born compose "a
per cent. The total number of the
white inmates OF our poorhouses x
is $1,000, of which number
27,64S, or a little over 81 per cent.
were born in forign countries. These
statistics show that with a foreign
population of I4.77 per cent. more
than half OF our white penitentiary
convicts and more than halt of the
white inmates Of our poorhouses are
foreigners, and prove that Of the
immigrants coming here during the
past few years, too many OF them
are deficient in morals, and are
incapable physically OF self support.
Foreign countries not
only encourage immigration
| of criminals and paupers but
use public money to pay their
expenses here. This fact seems tC
be sufficient reason why SO large
a percentage of immigrants so soon
find themselves in our prisons and
poorhouses.
| Til bill in question discrlminates
against no nationality, but simply
provides that incapables OF al
nations. who can only become {
social burden, and whose influence
harms society, shall be excluded.
| We have no doubt that the ses
sions of the convention will be inter
esting and profitable, and we bespeal
for the delegates attending it, Z
cordial Maryland welcome from the
citizens OF Elkton.