New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-27
THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM.

DEFENCE OF THE EDUCATIONAL TEST.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: l was much surprised TO in the issue OF
December IS an editorial IN your paper somewhat
opposed 10 the educational test immigration bill;
especially because. unless / am very much mis-
taken. The Tribune has favored such bill within
two years However that may be- in the article re-
ferred TO there seems TO be a certain msap3rehen-
sion rs 20 the purpose and working Of the cduca-
tional test.
In the nrst place. a Federal naturalization law
would be Of lt,le value remedy for iinmigra-
ton evils, for the reason that ii would affect only
naturalization In the Federal courts. There
sixteen States which allow aliens 10 vote. and
right 10 determine their own citizenship it would
require an amendment to the Constitution Of the
States 70 secure the remedy proposed by The Trib-
une. THIS IS very long process, and the adyo,.
WI, WI accomplish much Of What IS needed 10 protect
ne ihe suffrage 1 at once furihermore there is a
there has been extensive fraud in the matter OF
catonal test bill Will exclude "a large consignment
OF Industrious Germans scandinavians. Scotch and
OF immigrants from the United Kingdom. France
per cent as aransi % per een FOR "1 ho. on ro S
austria. Hungary, Italy. Poland and Russia. For
Seandinavians It Is less than per cent. for Ger
Thrd-it 50 happens and the eoneidenc. is not
some evidence Of moral worth. The reports OF cur
prisons almshouses and charitable societies as
well as The Seventh Special Report Of the Unit ed
states Commissioner OF Labor. prove beyond otles.
ton that there Is close connection between ieno-
rance OF language. ignorance OF trade. lack OF
ABILITY 10 support ones self. criminal tendencies
and drifting into city slums. There Is an exact
and parallel progression between the percentage OF
ilteracy among immigrants OF tho various ma zion
alities and the number OF criminals per thousand
exclusive OF drunkenness. furnished by Tho came
nationalites TO all the prisons Of Massachusetts
Few educated rascals are by means the same
burden upon the community az large numbers OF
degraded criminals and pauptrs who I'll our public
institutions ana deprive our charities OF elhow
room In which TO work out legitimate pressing
problems. '
a word In regard to separating families The
educational test VIII In practice be applied by the
steamship companies when they sell the tlakeis or
when Inc passengers embark Ia Europe. SO Far as
lanily OF immigrants coming together Is COM
cetneu tney can tell. therefore before they star.
Hwhetner tLey VIII be separated; And win Tho
Tribune claim because good Immigrant mas
come here in the pas, that are obliged To- lei IN
al his relatives. whether they dosiab bic or no;
experience shows that he will not support them
and the burden Of supporting them or locking them
UP VIII be just rs large whether they have O ballot
not. - UNIV
OF course. no test is perfect. But tho Nll;oracy
test VIII. more than any other let In nil the thrifty
nous trious and desirable. and EXCLUDE those un-
iitted for cur citizenship The change may bear
hardly upon few: the present system is unjus; TO
az the natve-born and adopted citizens already
here. PRESCOTT + Hall
Secretary Immigration Restriction League
Boston. Dec. %, 1897.