The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-03
LODGES ELL VETOED
The Immigration ILL Mas Returned
Without approval.
TIE OBJECTIONS 0FrIlE PRESIDENT.
Thinks Educational Qualifications
Poor Test of Citizenship.
TERMS OF BILL INDEFINITE
Chief Executive Observation-Disclosures
on Migratory Immigration Would
lie Harmful to AMERICANS.

To the House OF Representative.
herewith return without approval house
bill No. 1854 entitled IAN ac to amend
the immigration laws of to United
States"
by the first section of this bill 1t is pro-
posed TO amend section of he act OF
March 3, 1891. relating to immigration by
adding to the classes of aliens thereby OK
Guided from the United States tie follow
ing "All persons physically gamble and
over l6 years Of age who can not cad and
write the English language or sono other
language, but person not 80 able to read
and write who is over so years OF ,ge and
Is the parent or grandrarent of a qualified
immigrant over q years of age and ,apahle
OF supporting such parent or grautparent
may accompany such parent or ,rand-
parent may be sent for and come 70 ioin
the family Of child or grandchld oven q
years of age similarly qualified and cap
able and wife or minor child MT so
able to read and write may accompany or
be sent for and come ana Join the husband
or parent similarly qualified and capable"
/ radical departure is here presented.
| Heretofore we have welcomed who came
to us from other lands except those whose
moral or physical condition or history
| threatened danger TO our National welfare
and safety. Relying upon the Jealous
watchfulness of our people to prevent In
Jury TO our political and social fabric we
! nave encouraged those coming from for
eign countries to cast their lot with us and
join in the development of our vast DO
main. securing in return share in the
blessings of American citizenship.
| ceniury's stupeadous growth, largely
due to the assimilation and thriit of mil
lions Of sturdy and patriotic adopted cii-
zons, attests the success OF their generous
and free handed policy. which, while
guarding the peoples interests eXacts iron,
cur immigrants only physical and moral
soundness and Willingness and ability
TO work.
a contemplation Of the grand results d
TINS policy can not fail to arouse a sonli-
ment in Its defense, for however IT might
have been regarded as an original PROPOSE
ton and viewed as an experiment, its ac-
conplishments are such that If it il 20 bt
uprooted at this late day its DISADVANTAGE.
should be plainly apparent and the sub.
stitute adopted should be just and frot
! from uncertainties and guarded agains
| difficult or oppressive administration
1t is not claimed. believe. that the tim
/ has come for the further restriction of i'm
migration on the ground that an excess @
population overcrowds our land. 1t is said
! however that the quality of recent INN.
grafton is undesirable. The time is quit
within recent memory when the Same thin
was said of immigrants. who, with thei
desc"nta. are now numbered among ouI
| hest citizens. II Is said that too many II,
migrants settle in our cities. thus danger
ously Increasing their idle and vicious pop
Uiation. This is certainly a disadvantage
II can not be shown. however. that 1t az
feots all our cities nor that 1t Is permanent
nor does 1t appear that this condition. Wher
it exists. demands as its remedy the rever
sal of our present immigration policy. Th
claim is also made that the influx of for
egn laborers depriyes of the opportunitl
10 work those who are better entitled tina
they to the privilege Of earning their live
lihood BY daily toll. An unfortunate con
dition is certainly presented when any on
who is willing to labor are unemployed bu
SO far as the condition now exists anon
our people it must be conceded TO be a IL
suit Of phenomenal business depression an
the stagatlon OF all enterprises In which
labor is a factor. With tine advent of set
tied and wholesome financial aud oconomi
governmental policies and a consequent en-
couraCcment to the activity of capital, tn
misfortune Of unemployed labor should to
great extent at least be remedied. II 1t con
tinues. its natural consequences must BIZ
to check the further immigration to ON
cities Of foreign laborers and to deplete III
ranks Of those already there.
In the meantime those most willing AM
best entitled ought to be able to secure tn
advantages of such work as there Is to dc
II is proposed by the bill under considera
ZION TO meet the alleged difficulties OF III
situation b. establishing an educational test
by which the right of foreigner to max
his home with us shall he determined. II
general scheme is to prohibit from admIs
sion to our country all immigrants physi
loally capable and over le years old who
can not read and write the English lsnguag,
or some other language.
Ard II Is provided that this test shall HI
applied by requiring immigrants seeking
admission to read and afterwards L
writo not less than twenty nor mort
Shau twenty-five words OF the constitution
OF the United states in some language. AM
that the immigrant falling in this shall no
De admitted, but shall tie returned to thu
country from whence he came at the ey
pense OF the steamship OF railroad compan!
which brought him.
The best reason that could b, given FOL
this radical restriction OF immigration Il
the necessity OF protecting our people
agains, degeneration and saving our Ma
tional peace and quiet from imported tur
bulence and disorder | can not believe
that We would be protected against these
evils by limiting immigration to those Wit
can read and write In any language twenty
Ave words of our constitution.
In my opinion It is infinitely more SAFE
IN admit a hundred thousand immigrants
who though unable to read and write. seel
America only for home and for opportu'
nity 10 work, than to admit one OF thos'
unruly agitators ard enemies OF govern
mental control who cLn not only read anc
write. but delights In arousins by ihllahl
r,.,orv speeches the illiterate and peace
sniiv inclined 10 discomfort and turbulence
v,ojence and disorder do not originate WIN
nv rather III