The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-18
Provisions That Those Who
Seek a Landing Must Read
and Write.
Exceptions, However, Made in Favor
of Refugees From Cuba Who
Flee From Spaniards.

the SENATE com mites 10 ALneHu tHe iii MI
grafton laws of the United States occupied
the attention of the Senate during nearly
the whole of to- day S session. The substl-
tute was amended in some particulars, the
most notable amendment being one pro-
viding that the act shall not apply to
Cuban refugees during the existing
troubles in Cuba. and then it was passed
by vote of 50 to 10 and a conference
asked with the House. The bill as passed,
in addition to those classes excluded I'M
der existing laws, excludes all persons
over 16 years of age who cannot read and
write the language of their native country
or some other language, but it does not
exclude the wife, child, parent or grand
parent of an admissible immigrant not
withstanding their inability to read and
write.
A motion by Hale (R.) of Maine that
when the Senate adjourn to-day it ad iourn
until Monday was agreed to without di-
vision.
The House amendments to the Senate
bill as to the lands of the Pacific railroads
were laid before the Senate, and
were on m otion of Hill CD of New York
nonconcurred IL and q conference asked,
Senators Hill, Plat (R.) of Connecticut
and Clark (K.) Of Wyoming being ap-
pointed conferees on the part of the SEN
ate.
In presenting lot of petitions from
Alabama declaring that there was no law
full State government in that State, Chan
dler (R. of New Hampshire collided with
Allen in reference to the failure of Allen
resolution of inquiry on that subject last
session. Chandler asserting that the reso-
luton had failed because of some intern
perate remarks of Aliens questioning the
motives of Republican Senators and Allen
denying that, but asserting that he had
had grave suspicion that the resolution
never would be acted on in good faith on
the Republican side OF the chamber.
After the passage Of two Senate bills on
the calendar Gas to accounts of army off,
GERS who were graduates of West Point
Military Academy. and for the relief of
Major William w. Dyer the House bill to
amend the Immigration laws was taken
up.
The amendment was modified SO as to
make the exclusion paragraph read: "All
parsons over 10 years of age who cannot
read and write the language or their ma
tive country. or some other language; but
an admissible i'm migrant over such age of
Ii may bring in with him or send for his
wife or parent or grandparenr or minor
child or grandchild notwithstanding their
inability TO read and write"
Morgan CD of Alabama moved to
amend tie bill so as that it shall not apply
to immigrants from Cuba. The demands
of humanity, he said were obvious in re-
lation TO Cuba. The United States could
not afford to send back a Cuban to the
1<NE@ e.
had escaped. The exception, he argued,
could be made without interfering with
the general clause in treaties as 10 "the
most favored nations"
Hoar CD OF Massachusetts, suggested
that the better way would be a provision
authorizing the Secretary of State to pro-
vide for the admission of Immigrants fee
ing from war or political oppression or in
consequence of political disorder.
After a long discussion Morgan's amend
ment was modified SO that sthe act shall
not apply to persons arriving in the United
States from any port or place in the Island
of Cuba during the continuance OF the dis
orders there, provided that such persons
have heretofore been inha bitants of that
island" was agreed to-ayes At, noes g.
the negative votes being given by Calf cry
CD of Louisiana, Hill CD Of New York,
Lindsay CD OF Kentucky, Palmer Cd of
Illinois, Pettigrew Is. r. of South Dakota
and Walthall CD of Mississippi.
Elkins (R.) of West Virginia offered an
amendment for the collection of head
tax OF $40 on all immigrants coming to the
United States in vessels not of the United
States.
Nelson (R.) of Minnesota opposed the
amendment, saying that he would rather
vote to prevent immigration altogether
than vote for an amendment that would
be a tax on common humanity and that
would make the United States the most
mercenary and abject of the nations of the
earth.
Elkins spoke in support of his amend
ment, urging that the American steam
ship lines could bring in all the immi-
grants, and that besides it was desirable to
restrict immigration.
Chandler (R) of New Hampshire OPP
posed the amendment, saying that he was
willing to aid the American steamship
lines by appropriations from the treasury,
but he was not willing to have head tax
imposed on immigrants.
Perkins (R.) of California favored the
amendment, the effect of which, he said.
would be TO make gift of $40 to the i'm
migrant who came to the United States
in ship f1ying tOld Glory" and also
give the immigrant his first lesson in
American citizenship.
Hill CD of New York declared that in
his opininion the amendment was entirely
in the wrong direction. 1t had been de-
Tended on the high and lofty ground OF
protection. 1t was the principle of pro-
lection run mad, OF paternalism run mad.
1t would be better to provide that there
should be no immigration at all.
Wollcott (R.) of Colorado also opposed
the amendment The effect of it would
be, he said, to cause immigrants from
Europe to land at Canadian port and to
cross the st. Lawrence into the United
States, and to cause immigrants from
China and Japan to take steamships to
Vapcouver-inasmuch as the amendment
would not apply to immigrants coming by
land.
After further discussion Elkins' amend
ment was rejected.
Morgan CD of Alabama offered an
amendment prohibiting the naturaliza-
tion of an alien "who cannot read cor
rectly the ten commandment and the
constitution of the United States printed
in some language" and made an argu-
ment in support OF it.
Lodge opposed the amendment as open
ing up new and important questions. He
moved to lay it on the table. The motion
was agreed to-ayes As, noes 16
The bill was then passed-ayes 81, noes
10. The following is the vote in detail:
Ayes-Allen, Bacon, Baker, Bate, Berry,
II