Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-18
IMMIGRATION BILL PASSES
Senate Adopts the Measure Providing for
an Educational Test,
llLlTERATES WILL BE BARRED OUT
Exception In Made In the Case of
Cuba During the Continuance
of the wRr-Bill Now Goes
to Conference.

sons arriving from Cuba during the con-
tinuance of the present disorders. The
strength OF the bill was greater than had
been expected the final vote being 81 to 10.
As passed, the bill amends the immigration
laws so as to exclude from admission to
the United States all persons over ID years
Of age who cannot read and write the
language Of their native country or somo
other language, but an admissible immi-
grant over the age of i6 may bring In with
him or send for his wife or parent or grand
parent or minor children or grandchildren.
Notwithstanding their inability to read and
write For the purpose of testing the in
ability of the immigrant to read and write,
as required by the foregoing section, the,
inspection officers shall be furnished copies
of the constitution of the United states
printed on numbered uniform pasteboard
slips each containing FIVE lines of the con-
stitution printed In the various languages
of the immigrants in double small plea type.
These slips shall be kept I'm boxes made
for that purpose and so constructed as to-
conceal the slips from view. each box to con-
tain slips of but one language, and the i'm
migrant may designate the language In
which he perfers the test shall be made.
Each immigrant shall be required to draw
one of these slips from the box and read
and afterwards write out in full view Of
the immigration officers the five lines,
printed thereon. Each slip shall be re-
turned TO the box Immediately after the
test Is finished and the contents of the
box shall be shaken up by the inspector
before another drawing is made. No immi-
grant falling to read and write out the slip
thus drawn by him shall be admitted, but.
Ne shall be returned to the country whence
no came at the expense OF the steamship
or railway company which brought him, as
now provided by law. The inspection officers.
shall keep in each box at all times full
number of these printed pasteboard slips.
and in the case of each excluded immi-
grant shall keep certified memorandum OF
the number of the slip which the immt-
grant failed to read or copy out in writing.
The Cuban section added to the bill provides.
that the act shall not apply to persons ar
irving in the United States from any port
or place in the island of Cuban during tho
continuance of the present disorders there,
provided that such persons have heretofore
been inhabitants of that island An amend
ment by Mr.. Elkins, proposing $40 head
tax on immigrants coming In other than
American ships occasioned considerable de-
bate and was finally tabled, as were several
other amendments. The immigration meas
ure now goes into conference, the bill passed
today being a substitute for the Corllss-Mc-
Call bill passed by the house
ADJOURNS UNTIL MONDAY.
On motion of Mr., Hale, republican OF
Maine the senate today agreed that when
it adjourned today 1t be until Manday next.
The house amendments to the bill con-
cerning the lands of the Atlantic a. Pa
ciic Railroad company, were non-concurred
in and Mcssrs. Hill, democrat OF New York,
Plat republican of Connecticut, and Clark,
republican of Wyoming, named as senate
conferees.
Mr. Chandler. republican of New Hamp-
shire presented a large number of petitions
from Alabama, recitng that by reason OF
the election methods prevailing In Alabama
the state was without republican form
of government at the present time 1t
brought a statement from Mr. Allen that
the Alabama investigation proposed by him
had been defeated by republican votes.
Mr.. Chandler responded that the defeat
was due to Mr.. Aliens mismanagement OF
his resolution, and that the investigation
could be resurrected.
Mr.. Call democrat of Florida. offered
resolution, which referred, appro-
priating 900 as a relief fund for the
sufferers from the tidal wave and storm
which occurred on the Florida coast last
October.
A bill was passed authorizing the Kansas
City. Shreveport & Gulf Railroad company
to build a bridge across the Sabine river
between Louisiana and Texas, and another
to authorize the readjuslment of accounts
of army officers who were graduates OF
the West Point Military academy.
At / O'Clock the immigration bill was
taken up. previous agreement having been
made that the final vote would occur at
p. IN.
Mr.. Pascoe democrat of Florida, secured
modification of the senate substitute so
that the exclusion will apply to 'all per
sons over IA years of age who cannot read
and write the language of their native coun-
try or some other language, but an. ad-
missible immigrant over IA years OF age
may bring in with him or send for his wife
or parent or grandparent or minor child
or grandchild, Notwithstanding their In
ability to read and write.
An amendment by Mr. Palmer. democrat
of Illinois, to make the age of admission
q years was defeated, and Mr.. Lodge ac-
cepted one offered by Mr.. Vest to make 1t
16 years.
MAKES AN EXCEPTION OF CUBA
Mr. Morgan, democrat of Alabama. Of
fered a new section to the bill providing
that the exclusion shall not apply TO per-
sons from Cuba
Mr.. PIatt suggested that the action would
be inconsistent with treaty obligations Civ
ing like rights TO all citizens of all coun-
tries.
Mr.. Chandler said that the same theory
as to excepting Cubans would apply to Ar
menians.
Mr. Morgan urged that the conditions In
Cuba were so peculiar that we should well
come the Cubans from the rule of the most
tyranncal government In the world. we
should turn no Cuban back from our shore.
The senator thought the most favored ma
tion" clause ought TO come out OF all our
treaties, although he did not believe this
exception would affect any treaty
Mr.. Hoar republican OF Massachusetts, sug-
gested a modification OF the Morgan sec
ton giving the secretary of state power TO
except from exclusion such persons as may
be fleeing from tyranny or the results Of
war
Mr. Lodge said II would be proper to re-
ceive Cubans pending a settlement OF tho
disorders on the island but to make the ex-
ception permanent In time of peace.
Mr.. Hoar thereupon changed his amend
ment so as to except from exclusion Cubans
arriving in the United States during the con-
tlnuance of the present disorders In Cuba.
Mr.. Gallery, democrat If Louisiana, OPP
posed the bin az whole. The needs OF the
south and west demanded an influx OF immi-
grants 10 aid in the development of these
sections.
The Cuban exception wac adcDted-yeas,
AT; nays, G. The negative vote was cast by
Senators Caffery Hill, Lindsay Palmer, Pet
tigrew and Walthall.
Mr.. Call said he would vote for the bill,
but the country had need for the hardy and
vigorous foreign immigrant 10 aid In great
projects OF development
Mr. Mills declared that reading and writ
Ing did not constitute good citizenship, The
bill was an extension OF the rehnemens OF
Tho civil service laws 10 the immigrants
seeking our shores. II set aside the demo-
cratic spirit Of our institutions, He would
welcome 100000 Germans lrlshmeI or Scan