The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-05-20
A GRAVE PROBLEM.
WHAT PAUPER IMMIGRATION
HAS DONE.
Ralf of the Crimes in the United States
Traceable:t to This Obnoxious Ele.
ment of Our Population.

SAN W O~S
One of the most appalling results of
foreign pauper immigration is disclosed
by the fact that nearly one-half of Ill
the crimes committed in the United
States are traoea5Ie to this obnoxious
element of our population.
This statement is based upon the Off
cial records furnished by the census of
1890 and is, therefore, the most reliable
information that can be obtained on this
important subject At the time this CEN
suS was taken the number of criminals
in the various prisons of the United
States was found to be 82.329.
Of this number 35.019 were negroes.
leaving $3.50 white criminals. Divid-
ing this number between the native and
foreign elements of the country it was
found that 43.19 per cent. were native
born, while 1851 per cent. were of for
egn birth. Notwithstanding the fact
that only One-Seventh of the country's
population was made up of foreigners,
1t was nevertheless discovered that more
than one-half. of al the crimes commit
ted by white persons in the United
States were committed by this ele-
ment.
estimating the number of foreigners
IN the United States in 1890 at 1900, 900,
the number of crimes which they com
mltted, according to the official census,
was 10000. If this calculation is cor
rect, it appears that one out of every
three hundred foreigners in the United
States is criminal.
This will doubtless be rev, lation to
hundreds who have scarcely given this
subject moments consideration, Such
figures make it evident that, while Amer
lca is Indebted to foreign lands for some
OF her best citizens, she is likewise in
debted to them for majority of her
criminals. THIS is due to the fact that
most of these who cross over to the
United States are pauper Immigrants.
Having been crushed to the earth by the
iron heel of despotism in European lands
they come over to tins country, bring
ing with them supreme contempt for
those in authority and lawless spirit
which delights in sowing the seed of
crime and communism.
If such is the danger to American in
situations, as shown by the census Of
1880, what must it be at the present
time, when foreign immigration is pour
lng It's tide upon these shores at most
alarming rate? Since the list of January
over 10000 Italians have landed in the
harbor of New York.
a grave problem is suggested by these
figures, and one which should apneal to
the practical and patriotic statesman
ship of our lawmakers at Washington.
Perhaps it will be of interest to con
suit these criminal records still further.
Referred to the question of sex. there
were 1924 male criminals in 1890 and
only 6,4O5 female criminals. | view of
me TACT that the population of the Unit
ca states is about equally divided be-
tween the sexes, the ratio of crime has
Deen found to be one male in everv 422
ana one female in every Alto criminals.
expressed IN other words, there is
one female criminal to every eleven male
criminals. These figures are gratifying
to those who take pride in the purity
ana virtue of American womanhood,
The Philadelphia Public Ledger has
taken the census of 1890 and divided the
criminals of the United States as fol-
lows: In the north Atlantic states, 49,
2l00; In the south Atlantic states, II .4O9:
IN the north central states, 1854; in the
ooutn central states, l6,OS4, and in the
western, 6,724, With tie exception of
She western states, there is less crime
committed in the south than il any
other section of the country.
comparing the records for 1890 with
those of 1880 it appears that crime has
made considerable increase in the Unit
ed States. The number of criminals i'm
pTlSoned for the year 1880 was $500,
and for 1890, as already given, 82'S29'
showing a gain of %, 720 criminals in ten
years,
This increase is explained by the con-
slant influx of foreigners. Unless there
Is some restriction imposed upon the
stream OF pauper immigrants which is
aITly overlooking this country the re-
suits will be disastrous. A more inn
portant problem cannot be commended
20 the grave and patriotic consideration
vi congress than the one which is con
famed in these figures.