Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-30

unskilled labor in the great cities. We
have more than enough OF that kind OF
labor in the country now il we may be-
levc the statisticians. Certainly there Is
more than enough of it in the congcstcd
districts of the great cities where con
stantly the great per cent of our poorest
and most ignorant Immigrants inevitably
gravitate and divide that which before
was inadequate TO sustain life
The New York factory inspectors say
that while there has been marked I'M.
provement possibly nothing but a nation
al taxing law will ever eradicate the
worst features of the sweat shop evil.
The inspectors also report that "a most
revolving state of affairs was found in
many bakcshops, especially in New York
and Brooklyn Details are given show
ing extreme uncleanlness. in bakeshops
and workmen, the presence OF swarming
vermin. rodents and other animals in and
about the bread and flour; the damp, I'M
wholesome cellars in which the bread for
a great part Of the population is baked
contagious diseases of the bakers and
their incredibly long hours of toll -
IT was not an infrequcnt incident to
find men sleeping upon boards laid along
the dough mixing troughs, partially clad,
with evidences of vermin on their bodies
which dropped into the rising dough
underneath. The alarming
possibilities of spreading the fatal disease
of consumption when ten per cent of
those who make our bread are afflicted
with it, is something which demands the
attention of the health protecting depart
ments Of our cities. In our opinion the
cellar bakeshop is responsible for much
of the diseases among bakora Such
facts as these let light upon deplorable
conditions which are intensified to an
alarming extent by Objectionable immi-
grafton.
The hearts of the American people have
ever been warm toward the immigrants
from other countries. We all were immi-
grants only comparatively short time
ago; all we have and are would not he
but for immigration those who have en-
ioyed the blessings of the country are
willing to aid Others to come though they
have to make sacrifices themselves in
order to render the assistance Accord
ingly whatever danger there may be con
| nected with the matter is more likely to
result from leniency than rigor Some
carelessly say, well this is great
country, let 'en come" forgetting that
the moral standards of New York City,
not only are seen by and influence all
parts of the country but may determine a
policy of our government
Congress is now considering the posi-
bility of more adequate measure to
regulate immigration than the law we
now have. Perhaps the educational quail
fication isn't necessary at this time, but
certainly something should be done to
prevent the influx Of illiteiacy and
poverty The school accommodations in
New York City today are inadequate, very
many children not having means of
obtaining an education; yet that city is
the dumping ground daily Of more gnor-
ance and misery. In the flush times the
tide of immigration set so strongly to-
ward our shores that some said it must he
stopped altogether that this country might
have opportunity to assimilate what il
now had. Hard times came and with
them marked falling off in immigra
ton, which with the return of prosperity
will resume. The subject does not call
for hasty legislation but it does demand
attention, the most careful consideration
| OF our wisest lawmakers and the coopera