The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-18
immigration Bill In Execu-
enc ss &. 2. tiYe'S Hands. '''' s,'a- :
II Puts Up a Barrier Against
the IlliterateS.
Fine and Imprisonment Imposed for
Iniractions OF the Law.

Washington, Feb. lS.-The immigra-
tion bill now goes TO the president, the
last legislative step having been taken
In the senate yesterday by an agree
ment to the conference report on the bill.
Strong opposition was mkie to the re-
port. but on the final vote the friends
OF the measure rallied a small majority.
the vote being, yeas. 80; nays, 81.
The BILL as passed, extends the i'm
raigration restrictions against "all per-
sons physically capable and over 1s
years of age. who cannot read and write
the English language or some other
language; but person not so able TO
read and write, who is over 30 years old,
and who is the parent or grandparent OF
a qualified immigrant over II years old
and capable OF supporting such parent or
glandparent. may be sent for and come
90 Join the family OF child or grand
thild over Il years OF age, similarly
qualified and capable and wife or
minor child not so able TO read and write
may accompany or be sent for and come
70 Join the husband or parent similarly
qualified and capable" For the pur-
pose OF testing the immigrants Iiteracy,
he Is compelled TO read and write from
20 20 20 words OF the United States con-
stitution. Aside from these extensions
OF the present law, the bill inaugurates
new system Of restricting immigration
from border countries and designed TO
apply principally to immigration from
Canada. The provisions are as follows:
Section 4. That II shall hereafter be
unlawful for any male allen who has
mot HN.. a. -.
Dciore the sfoper court OF his intention
90 become 2 citizen OF the United States
70 be employed on any public works Of
the United States or 10 come regularly
or habitually into the United States by
land or water for the purpose OF engag-
ing III any mechanical trade or manual
labor, for wages or salary, returning
from time TO time TO a foreign country.
Sec. s. That II shall be unlawful for
any person, partnership. company or
corporation knowingly TO employ any
alien coming into the United States In
violation OF the next preceding section
OF this act. Provided that the provi-
sions Of this act shall not apply to the
employment OF sailors. deck hands or
other employees OF vessels, or railroad
Grain hands, such as conductors, engi-
neers, brakemen. frenen or baggage
men, whose duties require them 10 pass
over the frontier 70 reach the terminal
OF their runs. or 20 boatmen or guides
on the lakes and rivers OF the northern
border OF the United States.
A violation OF these sections is made
n'misdemeaaor. punishable by fine up to
$500. or Imprisonment up TO one year.
or both.
A special provision exempts from the
operation OF the law persons arriving
from Cuba during the continuance Of the
rrk
take effect July next.
The debate yesterday brought out
speeches in opposition 10 the bill from
Senator's Palmer OF Illinois. Carter of
Montana, Caffery OF Louisiana. Gibson
o. Maryland. Blanchard of Louisiana
and Gray Of Delaware. and in support
OF the bill by Mr. Lodge Of Massachu-
setts
The house, after a two hours debate
PASSED bill OF considerable Importance
20 the arid regions OF the west II opens
10 use and occupation, under the right
OF way act Of March 3, 1891, all the res
.ervolr sites reserved by the geological
survey. There are 1873 OF these sites
scattered throughout the arid country.
|bnd this act will enable them to be put
TO practical De by individuals or cor
tached to the bill, one OF which pernits
states or territories 10 occupy these
Eites II they choose. and the other en-
powers the states and territories in
N hich they are located TO fix water
rates.
The consideration OF the Hopkips-
Kendall contested election case from the
Tenth Kentucky district was entered
MI n.
The conference reports on the lecisla-
I'VE executive and judicial approprla-
tion bill and the bill 10 fix the times
and places of holding a court IN each
we're adopted, and bill was passed 10
remove the political disabilities of WI
lam E. Sims OF Kentucky, who was a
member or the Thirty-fifth congress.
Monetary Conference Hiil Opposed.
Washington, Feb. 1s.-The information
monetary conference bill which was
passed by tho senate has developed into
more important issue than was ex-
Pected. When the house committee on
coinage took charge OF the bill there was
thought to be no doubt that Il would
be reported favorably, but the opposi-
ion 10 the bill has been growing steadily
Until IL seems probable that II reported
he action VIII be taken against the
wishes OF q majority of the Republican
nembers Of the committee. All OF the
republicans who have spoken on the
Measure before the committee and have
measure before the committed have
rgued that IL would be an embarrass-
hent 20 the incoming administration.
pm the other hand, some Republicans
dy that Senator Carter OF Montana,
no recently had an Interview with the
,rcsident-elect. quoted MIR. Mckinley
5 expressing a desire that the bill should
ass. The Republican members OK the
ommittoe have held conference on the
natter which left their policy undecided.
ur,hcr hearing on the bill has been
postponed until tomorrow. and Il Ia now
oubtful whether n vote on reporting il
ill be taken Saturday, as the committee
Intended. In the meantime. many com
1unications protesting against any fur