The morning times., 1896-07-12
THE CRUCIAL TEST.

the board OF special inquiry, consisting OF
George W. Ellis. Col Hayes, Capt. Con-
verse and Ma jor Simrsey. The last is the
universal interpreter and has a fine mar
uai history. He came here as CONF MON
in arms to Louis kossuth-
The watchdogs stationed at the gates
by Uncle Sam demand that every man and
each woman should have an occupation a
trade, means OF earning a living.
Those who cannot mention such trade or
means are brought to a standstill. There
is one alternative for them. Have they
wealthy friends who viii support them?
II so, where are the wealthy friends, and
what bonds will they give that this man
is not TO be beggar on the streets?
A man Engaged TO be married 10 a wealthy
girl in this country can land if the girl
''QualiiieS.'' She must show herself at
the island, display her money and declare
that, though the man has no trade or oCCu-
ptaion, she can and will support him. There
are a few such men. But very many more
of the penuiless and oCcupatiorless are
women. They came over to marry their
sweethcarts and keep house for them. They
will produce in the CeXt generation good
American citizens.
The watchdogs Oh the island take in these
cases ut a glance. and quickly they can
tell if all is as told TO them Any man or
woman with u good record in the old coun-
try and with the ability to do something
here, to cook good dinner, lay bricks
well. cut stone, drive horses. bake bread
or set type, can get into this country with
out any trouble, but there are lots that
have not such qualifications. Their mere
word will not do. They must bring recon-
mendations from the old country.
On Ellis Island arc several institutions"
One OF these is the lawyers who lnfest it.
They get hold of tie persons forbidden TO
land and If they have $40 they offer to
conduct them past the boa rd of special in
quiry and get them as far as New York.
The hoard of special inquiry takes the
men before them one by one out OF the
..pcn" The pen is where they are sent
to stay until being taken back home. 1t is
a grass plot with n little building upon 1t,
where they can be fairly comfortable. Most
of them have their mattresses and can lie
down and nap until the steamship arrives.
LEGAL HELP.
But they do not 20 home thuscontentedly.
They will and must go into the land of the
free. As they stand in the pen looking
wistfully at their voyage companions en-
barking to go TO the city the lawyers
approach 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
side the row of careful watchdogs-the
four men with watchful eyes-and on the
other the unhappy immigrant and his
aEyer friend. The latter then puts in his
best plea. This is remarkable Chiefly for
yerbiage. The most highflown terms are
used the most gorgeous comparison made,
the most pathetic appeals directed toward
the whole world, and all to get the
board TO admit the man to the country.
hn n
Special Inquiry, Ihave with mean honorable
gentleman, Caesar Papageorgopulus, who
desires to become a citizen OF America.
Like his glorious namesakehe has conquered
the Old world in trade, art, letters and
DO wer and he desires TO add one more
star to his lustrous crown in uniting HIM
self to us in this glorious freed land
HAS ne cgotanymoney?" y?"askthehardened as
officials.
Money, Dollars! Forsooth, gold is
plcnteous with him! To be sure. ne does
not carry his possessions with him,
neither do our millionaircs. But he
leaves them with his friends. Like Caesar
he is weeping now at the perfidy of one,
Brutes Edipaninon,s, who gave his true
word that he would be here to conduct
in triumph the steps OF this, my client,
Papageorgopulus 10 the city"
Hell have TO wait till he gets here.
II he's got money to pay his board, ho
can stay few days. II he hasn'. he
must go back today"
'Bnt, honorable gentlemen, my client
will appeal tn the President"
he Will have 20 appeal from italy.
Officer, dcport that man as soon as pos
sibie.''
And So the case closcs-t',c rran IL re-
cuperatc his honorable stomach with frank
furters purchased from IN Ellis Island stabd
and the waeehdoSs 70 pass on 10 the next
applicant.