The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-03


grafton to those who can read and write
in any language twenty-five words Of our
constitution. In my opinion, it is infin-
rely safer to admit a hundred Thousand
immigrants who, though being unable to
Tread and write, seek among US only a
home and an opportunity TO work, than
to admit one Of those unrUly agitatorS
and enemies of governmental contro-
Who can not only read and write but de-
light in arousing by infiammatory speech
the ;lIiterate and peacefully inclined to
discomfort and tumult. Violence and dis
order do not originate with illiterate la
borers. They are rather the victims Of
the educated agitators. The ability TO
read and write. as required in this bill,
and Of itself, affords. in my opinion. a
misleading test Of contented industry
and supplies unsatisfactory evidence of
desirable citizenship, Of proper appre-
hension Of the benefits of our institutions.
If any particular element Of our Hitter
ate immigration is 10 be feared for other
causes than illiteracy these causes should
be dealt with directly instead Of making
illiteracy the Dretext Of exclusion, TO the
detriment Of other illiterate immigrants
against whom the real cause of COM
plant cannot be alleged.
The provisions intended to rid that
part of the proposed legislation already
referred to from obvious hardship appear
to me to be inadequate and indefinite
A parent, grandparent, wife or minor
child Of a qualified immigrant, though
unable 10 read and write, may accom-
pany the immigrant or be sent for to
join his family, provided the immigrant
is capable of supporting such relative.
These exceptions to the general rule OF
exclusion contained in the bill were made
TO prevent the separation Of families, and
yet neither brothers or sisters are proVid-
ed for. In order that relatives who are
provided for may be reunited, those still
in foreign lands must be sent for 10 join
the immigrant here. What formality is
necessary 10 constitute this prerequisite
and how are the facts Of relationship and
that the relative is sent for to be estab
Iished? Are the illiterate relatives of i'm
migrants who have come here under pre-
vious laws entitled to the advantages of
these exceptions? A husband who can
read and write and who determines to
abandon his illiterate wife will find here
under this law an absolutely cafe retreat.
The i,literate elatives mentioned here
must not only be sent for but such immi
grant must be able 20 support them when
the arrive. This requirement proceeds
upon the assumption that the foreign
relatives coming here are in every case,
by reason of poverty liable to become
public charge unless the immigrant is ca
pable OF their support. The contrary is
often true And yet, If unable TO read
and write, though quite able and willing
TO support themselves and their relatives
here besides, they could not be admitted
under the provisions Of the bill If the i'm
migrant was impoverished. though the
aid Of his fortunate but iliterate rela-
tives might be the means of saving him
from pauperism.
THE ANTI-CANADIAN SECTION.
The fourth section OF this bill pro-
vides that it shall be the unlawful for
any male alien who has not in good faith
made his declaration before the proper
court, of his intention to become a citi-
zen OF the United States. to be employed
on any public works of the United States
or to come regularly of habitually into
the United States by land or water for
the purpose of engaging in any mechan-
ical trade or manua. labor for wages or
salary, returning from time to time TO
foreign country
1.-The fifth section provides that it
shall be unlawful for any person, part
nership, company or incorporation know
al;a
the United States in violation OF the
next preceding section of this act
The prohibition against the employ
nent of aliens on any public works of
the United States is in line with other
legislation of a like character. 1t is
quite a different thing. however, 10 de-
clare il a crime for an alien to become
regularly and habitually into the United
States for the purpose of obtaining work
from private parties, if such alien re-
trnS from time 10 time TO foreign cOun-
cry, and to constitute and employment of
such alien a criminal offense. When we
consider the provisions Of the bill in con-
nection with our long northern frontier
and the boundaries OF several of our
states and territories, often but an inn
British Dominions, and recall the friendly
intercourse between the people who are
neighbors on either side, the provisions
of this bill affecting them must be regard
ed as illiberal and narrow.
The residents Of these states and ter
ritorles have separate and especial in
tarests which in many cases make 4 in
a terchange of labor between their people
and their alien labOrers most important,
frequently with the advantage largely
in favor of our citizens. This suggests
the inexpediency Of federal interference
with these conditions when not necessary
u the correction Of a substantial evil
affecting the general welfare. Such I'M
friendly legislation as is proposed could
hardly fail 10 provoke retaliatory nea-
sures. 10 the injury of many Of our citi-
ze1s who are now employed on adjoin-
ing foreign soil. The uncertainty of the
construction - which the language OF
these provisions is subject is a serious; OBJ
lection in a statute which describes a
crime. An important element IN the Of
fenso sought 10 be created by these sec
items Is the coming regularly or habitu-
ally into the United States These words
are impossible Of certain construction.
The same may be ssid Of the equally inn
portant words returning from time to
time 10 a foreign country
A careful examination OF this bill has
convinced me that for the reasons given
and others not specifically stated. its
provisions are unnecessarily harsh and
oppressive. and that its defects in con-
struction would cause veXsuon and its
operation would result in harm ITO our
citizens