Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-06-21

still. There is one alternative for them.
Have they wealthy friends who will
support them? If so, where are the
wealthy friends, anu what bonds VIII
they give that this man is not 10 De
beggar on the streets?
"A man engaged to be married to
wealthy girl in this country can land
If the girl qualities" She must snow
herself at the Island, display the money
and declare that, though the man has
no trade or occupation, she car and will
support him. There are few such men,
but very many of the penniiess ana oc-
cupation,ess are women. They come
over to marry their sweethearts and
keep house for them. They will pro-
duce in the next generation good Amer
lean citizens:
The watchdogs on the Island take in
these cases at glance, and quickly
they can tell if all is as told to them.
Any man or woman with a good record
in the old country, and with the ability
to do something here, to cook a good
dinner lay bricks well, cut stone, drive
horses, bake bread or set type, can get
into this country without any trouble;
but there are lots that have not such
qualifications. Their mere word will
not do. They must bring recommends
tons from the old country.
On Ellis Island are several "institu-
TONS" One of these is the lawyers who
infest it. They get hold of the persons
forbidden to land, and If they have $40
they offer TO conduct them past the
Board of Special Inquiry and get them
as far as New York.
The Board of Special Inquiry takes
the men before them one by one out Of
the pen" The pen is where they are
sent to stay until taken back home. 1t
is a grass plot with little building up
on it, where they can be fairly comfort
able. Most of them have their mat
tresses and can lie dow and nap until
the steamship arrives.
LEGAL HELP.
But they do not go home thus con-
tentedly. They Will and must go into
the land OF the free. AS they stand in
the pen looking wistfrlly at their yoy-
age companions embarkingto go to the
city, the lawyer approaches them. Do
they want him to accompany them past
the Board Of Special Inquiry? Yes!
For SO he will do So"
Then comes the most trying cross-ex-
animation known in history. On one
SIDE the row of careful watchdcgs-the
four men with watchful eyes-and on
the other the unhappy immigrant and
his lawyer friend. The latter then puts
in his best plea. This is remarkable
chiefly for veIbage. The most high
flown terms are used, the most gorgeous
comparison made, the most pathetic ap-
peals directed towards the whole world,
ard all to get the board to admit the
man TO the country.
Esteemed gentlemen, the Board OF
Special Inquiry, have with me an hon
orab,e gentleman, Caesar Papageorgo-
pulus who desires to become a citizen
of America. Like his glorious name
sake, he has conquered the old world in
trade. art letters and power, and he de-
sires to add enc more star to his lus-
trous crown IN uniting himself to us in
this glorious freed land.
HAS he got any money!" ask the
hardened officials.
money? Dollars, Forsooth gold is
plenteous with him, To be sure, he
does not carry his possessions with him,
neither do our millionaires. But he
leaves them with his friends. Like
Caesar. he is weeping now at the per-
fidy Of one Brutus Edipaninonis, who
gave his true word that he would be
mere to cor.1uct in triumph the steps of
this my client Papageorgopulus to the
city"
Hell have to wait till he gets here.
If he's got money to pay his board he
can stay few days. II he hasn't he
must go back to-day
But, honorable gentlemen, my client
will appeal to the President!
He will have to appeal from Italy.
Officer. deport that man as soon as pos
| sibe.'
And so the case closes-the man to
| recuperate his honorable stomach with
frankfurters purchased from an Ellis
Island stand ar1 the watchdogs to pass
on to the next applicant.
II costs the government several thou
sands a year to maintain its watchdogs
and their kennel" the Ellis Island re-
treat. But. without them, the quarter
of million immigrants year would be
twice as many, with an Increase Of
criminals and paupers such as could not
be put in figures. At the present rate OF
immigration the United States will be