The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-08
IMMIGRANT PROBLEM
Two Thousand Debarred From Land
ing Last Year.

The number of immigrants arriving in the
United States during the fiscal year was 343
26l, OF whom $40, 46S were permitted to land
and 2,799 were debarred on various grounds
prescribed by law and returned to the coun-
tries whence they came, at the expense of
the steamship company by which thew wera
brought in. The increase in immigration over
the preceding year amounted to 64131, It is
reported that with some exceptions the immi-
grants of the past year were of a hardy labor
ing class, accustomed and able to earn sun
port for themselves and it is estimated that
the money brought with them amounted IN at
least S., ,000, 600, though it was probably much
in excess of that sum since only those having
less than $50 are required to disclose the eX-
act amount, and it is known that MANY
brought considerable sums of money to buv
tand and build homes. Including all the imnf-
grants arriving who were over fourteen wears
of age, 2S63 per cent were illiterate as
against 29.37 per cent of those of that age
arriving during the preceding fiscal year
The number of immigrants over fourteen
years old, the countries from which thew
came and the parentage of illiterates among
them were as follows Italy 57315 with "a "a
per cent Ireland. 81 1896 with 7 per cent.
Russia, S5.1S8 with ala per cent; Austria
Hungary and provinces, 81, ,053, with SO 92 per
cent: Germany 25,934, with 2.96 per cent;
Sweden 1891, with 116 per cent, while from
Portugal there came 2037, of whom ZIG .Der
cent were iliterate. There arrived from
Japan during the year only l, ,110 immigrants
and 1t is the opinion of the immigration au-
thorities that the apprehension heretofore
existing to some extent of large immigration
from Japan to the United States is without
any substantial foundation.
LIFE-SAVING SERVICE.
From the life-saving service it is reported
that the number of disasters to documented
vessels within the limits of its operations
during the year was 4S7. These vessels had
on board 4,6O2 persons, of whom 4 495 were
saved and Is lost. The value of such vessels
is estimated at SIS, ,SS9 140 and of their cargoes
S,S46, $50, making the total value of property
imperiled $12 726, $50. Of this amount S11 2q2 .
707 was saved and s., ,432, $50 was lost, Sixtv-
seven of the vessels were totally wrecked
There were besides 243 casualties to small I'M
documented craft, on board of which there
were 594 persons, of whom 5S7 were saved
and seven were lost.
The value of the property involved in these
latter casualties is estimated at S119 265 of
which $l14,915 was saved and 81, $50 was lost
The life-saving crews during the year also
rescued or assisted numerous other vessels
and warned many others from danger bv sig
mails, both by day and night. The number
of disasters during the year exceeded that of
any previous year in the history of the sery-
ice, but the saving Of both life and property
the value of the property involved and to the
number of persons inperiled.
The operations Of the marine hospital serv-
ice the revenue cutter service the Steamboat
inspection service the lighthouse service the
bureau of navigation and other branches of
public work attached TO the treasury depart-
ment, together with various recommendations
concerning their support and Improvement are
fully stated in the report to the secretary of
the treasury, to which the attention of the
congress is especially invited.