The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-03

| United States in some language, and that anv
immigrant falling in this shall not be admit
teu, Dut shall be returned to the country from
whence he came at the expense of the steam
snip or railroad company which brought him
Inc pest reason that could be given for this
raolcai restriction Of immigration is the neces-
s1ty OF protecting our population against de-
generating and saving our national peace and
quiet from imported turbulence and disorder.
cannot believe that we would be protected
against these evils by limiting immigration
10 those who can read and write in any lam
suage twenty-five words of our constitution
IN my opinion, 1t is indefinitely more safe to-
admit hundred immigrants though unable
TO read and write, who seek among us only
d nome ana opportunities to work, than to ad-
NIT one or those unruly agitators and en-
emles OF governmental control who can NOT
only read and write, but delights in arousIng
py n1iammatory speech the illiterate and
peacefully inclined to discomfort and tumuIt
violence and disorder do not originate with
l!l1terate laborers4 They are rather the vic
inns or the educated laborers. The ability to
READ ara write as required in this bill in
ana or itself affords, in my opinion mis-
leading test of cOntented industry and sup
plles unsatisfactory evidence Of desirable eft
lZenshlp or proper apprehension of the ben
eHts OF our institutions. If any particular ele-
ment OF our illiterate immigration il to ha
reared, for other causes than illiteracy. these
causes should be dealt with directly instead
OF making illiteracy the pretext for excIu-
sion to the detriment of other illiterate immi-
grants against whom the real cause OF COM
plant cannot be alleged. The provisions in
tended to rid that part of the proposed legis-
lauon already referred to from obvious hard
| snip appear to NE to be indefinite and in
! adequate.
! A parent, grand parent wife or minor child
! OF qual1hed immigrant, though unable to
| read and write, may accompany the inmi
/ grant, or be sent for to join his family pro-
V1ded the immigrant is capable of supporting
sucn relative. These exceptions to the gem
eral rule OF exclusion contained in the bill
| were made to prevent the separation of fam
lies, and yet neither brothers nor sisters are
PROVIDED for. In order that relatives who are
| provided for may be reunited those still in
| foreign lands must be sent for to 1oin the i'm
! migrant here. Are the illiterate relatives Of
| immigrants who have come here under prior
| laws entitled to the advantage of these ex-
| ceptions? husband who can read and write
and who determines to abandon his illiterate
wife abroad finds here under this law an alb
| Solutely safe retreat. The iIliterate relatives
| mentioned must not only be sent for but
| such immigrant must be capable of supporting
| them when they arrive. This requirement
proceeds on the assumption that tie foreign
| relatives coming here in every case. bv
| reason of poverty, liable to become a public
charge unless the immigrant is capable OF
: their support. The contrary is very often the
! case. And yet, if unable to read and write
though quite able and willing to- surportt
themselves and their relatives here besides.
;oT tney e9uid not be admitted under the 2rovis-
% Iois Oh this bill If the emigrant was Impov-
et5rished, though the aid Of his fortunate bnt
! ilnterate relative might be the means 81 saw
\ ing MIN from pauperism.
The fourth section Of this hill rrovidea
Ihat II snail be unlawful for any male alien
VINO mas not IN good faith made his decIara
~ tIoI before tne proper court of his intention
| TO become citizen Of the United States M
| pe employed on any public works of tha
Oniled states, or to come regularly or habit-
/ ually into the United States hv land Ar water
| 1oT M the purpose of engaging in any mechanical
| trade or manual labor for wages or salary
/ try" ~ e eisN OouH-
! The fifth section provides "that # shall bo
unId"lui ior any person in partnership COM
| pahy or incorporation knowingly TO ennIov
| any any amen coming into the United States in
! act' pi00ouiNe SecVioA OF thls
- The prohibition against tile employment
Tnt4nyy 4ny ets anens on any public works of the
ohted States is in line with other IegsIa
I sLoh OF like character. 1t Is quite Diff
terent tnlng, however, to declare it a crime
jUt Ot an ~ amen 10 come regularly and habitually
!neo the united States for the purpose of OBJ
tanning work from private parties If such
@ @allen returns from time to time to a foreign
e,,oh m ana 70 constitute any employment of
such alien criminal offense
When we conisder these provisions Of the
PIN D-l n connection with our long northern
! frontier and the boundaries of several Of o1,r
states, often but an imaginary line senarat
| ing them from the Dominion and recall the
dr.endiy Ire intercourse between the people who
! are helghbors on either side the provisions of
| this bill affecting them must he regarded.
as iIlDeral narrow and un-American
+or,n ne residents Of these states and terri
| tories nave especial interests which in many
cases make interchange Of labor hetwea1I
their people and their alien Iaborers most I'M
PCit itaht: "a frequently with the advantage large
| ~ IN favor of our citizens This suggests
ne lnexpediency Of federal interference with
| these conditions when not necessary to the
corIecqon 0i substantial evil effecting the
general welfare. Such unfriendly legislation
as is proposed could hardly fail to provoke
retahatory measures to the injury OF MANY
OF cur citizens who are now employed on
| adjoining foreign soil. The uncertainty of
| construction to which the language of fhesa
provisions Is subject is a serious objection in
state which describes a crime An inn
portant element in the offense sought to he
created by these sections is the coming
| creguariy or habitualiy" into the United
| States. These words impossible of defn
! ite and certain construction. The same may
/ pc said Of the equally important words re
! turning from time to time to a foreign coun-
! try ." 0'uA@
! A careful examination of this bill has con-
vinced me that for the reasons given and
| others not specifically stated, its provisions
! are unnecessarily harsh and oppressive and
| IT'S defects in construction would cause vex
! ation and it's operation would result in harm
! to our citizens. Grower C,Ievefand ~