The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-18
immigration Bill Goes
I. Through the Senate.
The Vote Was an Emphatic
One, Fifty-Tw0 to Ten.
Immigrants are Required to Read
and Write Native Language.

Washington. Dec. 1s.-The senate yes
terday passed the immigration bill.
known as the Lodge bill. with a new
section. providing that the exclusion
shall not apply to persons arriving from
cuba during the continuance Of the
present disorders there. The strength
OF the bill was greater than had been
expected, the final vote being 50 to ~.
As passed. the bill amends the immgra-
ton laws so as 10 exclude from admis-
sion TO the United States all persons
over l6 years OF age who cannot read and
write the language OF their native coun-
try, or some other language but an ad-
rissible immigrant over the age OF 16
years may bring in with him, or send for,
his wife or parent, or grand parent, or
minor child or grandchild. notwithstand-
log their inability TO read or write.
For the purpose Of testing the 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 in numbered. uniform
pasteboard slips, each containing five
lines Of the constitution printed in the
double small plea type. These slips shall
be kept In boxes made for that purpose,
and so constructed as TO conceal the slips
from view, each box 10 contain slips of
but one language. and the immigrant
may designate the language in which he
prefers the test shall be made. Each
Immigrant shall be required to draw one
of these slips from the box and read. and
afterward write out, In full view OF the
immigration officers, the five lines
printed thereon. The slip shall be re-
turned TO the box Immediately after the
test is finished, and the contents of the
box shall be taken up by an inspection
officer before another decision is made.
No immigrant failing to read and write
out the slip thus drawn by him shall be
edmitted but he shall be returned to the
country from whence he came, at the
expense of the steamship or railroad
company which brought him, as now
provided by law. The inspection officers
shall keep in each box ct all times a full
number OF these printed pasteboard
slips. and I'm the case OF each excluded
Immigrant shall keep certified men,
orandum o. the number OF the slip
which the immigrant failed TO read or
COPY In writing.
.s-.tne Cuban section added 10 the bill
provides that the act shall not apply
TO persons arriving in the United States
from any part or place in the Island OF
Cuba during the continuance of the pres
ent disorders there. provided that such
persons have heretofore been Inhabitants
OF that island.
An amendment OF Mr.. Elkins, propos-
ing $40 head tax on immigrants coming
In other than by American ships, oc-
oasioned considerable debate, and was
finally tabled, as were several other
amendments. The Immigrant measure
ow goes into conference. as the bill
PASSED yesterday Is a substitute for the
Norliss-M Mccall bin passed by the house.
The house yesterday passed the third
OF the regular appropriation bills Chat
for the support of the army. and en-
tered upon the consideration of tho
legislative. executive and judicial bill
The latter bill carries SCI $50 969 or $780,
Ss9 more than the law for the current
Year. Fair progress was made yester-
day. Ii is expected that this bill and
the military academy appropriation bill
will be passed before the holiday recess.
The army bill. as passed. makes no pro-
vision for the army and navy hospital at
Hot Springs, Ark.
The house also passed several bills re-
lating TO the District of Columbia, and |
three resolutions for the use OF flags of |
the war department, government re- |
servations. etc. on the occasion Of Mr.. |
bic Kinley's Inauguration.