The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-03
Plea Made that IL Is Better to Admft
IIliterafes than Educated Agita-
tors the Vicious.
Mr.. CLEVELAND NOT WELL
PRESIDENT Is SUFFERING FROM AT.
TACK OF RHEUMATIC GoUT.
Confined to His Bed Yesterday, Tnable
to Attend a Cabinet Meeting, but
Was Better Last Night.

WASHINGTON. March 2-The President
to-day sent TO the House Of Representatives
the following message. vetoing the immi-
grafton bill:
ITO the House of Representatives. here
with return without my approval House
bill No. 1864. entitled An act TO amend the
immigration laws of the United States BY
the first section OF this bill il is proposed to
amend Section ! Of the act of March 3. 1891,
relating TO immigration by adding TO the
classes Of aliens thereby excluded from the
United States the following:
"'All persons physically capable and over
sixteen 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 fifty years Of age
and is the parent or grandparent of a quali-
fed Immigrant over twenty-one years OF
age capable of supporting such parent or
grandparent may accompany such immi-
grant, or such parent or grandparent may
be sent for and come and join the family
or child or grandchild over twenty-one
years of age similarly qualified and capa-
bic. and wife or minor child not so able
to read and write may accompany or be
sent for and come and join the husband or
parent similarly qualified and capable
"A radical departure from our national
policy relating to immigration is here pre-
sented. Heretofore we have welcomed all
who came 10 us from other lands except
those whose moral or physical condition or
history threatened danger to our national
welfare and safety. RELYING on the jealous
watchfulness of our people to prevent in
jury TO our political and social fabric We
have eucOura.-ed those coming from foreign
countries To cast their lot with US and join
in the development of our vast domain, se-
curing I'm return a share of the blessings
OF American citizenship. A century's stu
pendous growth. largely due TO tie assim-
ilation and thrift of millions of sturdy and
patriotic adopted citizens. attests the sue
cess of this generous and free-handed policy,
which. while guarding the peoples inter-
ests, exacts from the immigrants only
physical and moral soundness and a wiIling-
ness and ability TO work.
"A contemplation of the grand results OF
this policy cannot fail To arouse a senti-
ment in its defense; for, however it might
have been regarded an original proposi-
tion and viewed as an experiment, fits ac-
complishments are such that If IL is 10 be
uprooted at this late day its disadvantages
should be plainly apparent and the substi-
tute adopted should be just and adequate.
free from uncertainties ana guarded against
difficult or oppressive administration.
DIRECTIONS ANSWERED.
1T is not claimed. believe. that the time
has come for the further restriction of i'm
migration on the ground that an excess OF
population overcrowos our land. 1t is said.
however, that the quality OF recent immi-
grafton is undesirable but the time Is quite
sbo
was said of immigrants who, with their
descendants, are now numbered among our
best citizens
1t is said that too many immigrants set
tie i'm our cities thus dangerously increas-
ing their idle and vicious population. This
is certainly a disadvantage. IL cannot be
shown, however that it affects all our
cities nor that il is permanent; nor does
IL appear that this condition. where IL ex-
lists, demands as its remedy the reversal OF
our present immigration policy.
Tine claim is also made that the influx
of foreign iaboreTs deprives Us of the OPP
portunity 10 work those who are better en-
titled than they TO the privilege OF earning
their livelihood by daily toll. An unfortu-
nate condition is certainly presen'ed when
any VINO are willing 10 LABOR ere unen-
plOyed. But so far as this condition now
exists among our people. it must be con-
ceded To be a result of phenomenal busi-
ness depression and the stagnaton OF all
enterprises in which labor is factor. With
the advent Of settled and wholesome finan-
cial and economic governmental policies
and consequent encouragement TO the ac-
tivity of capital the misfortune of unem-
ployed labor should TO a great extent. at
least. be remeded. IL il continues. it's
natural consequences must be TO check tho
further immigration to our cities OF foreign
laOorers and 10 deplete the ranks OF those
alre ady here. In the meantime those most
willing and best entitled ought TO be able
to. secure the advantages OF such work as
there is TO do.
1T Is proposed by the bill under con-
sideration to meet the alleged difficulties OF
the situation by establishing an educa-
tional test by which the right Of a for
eigner 10 make his home with shall be
determined. Its general scheme Is 10 pro-
hibit from admission TO our country all
immigrants. physically capable and over
sixteen years who cannot read and write
the English language or some other Ian
guage; and. ii Is provided that this test
shall he applied by requiring immigrants
seeking admission TO read and afterwards
TO write not less than twenty nor more
than twenty-five words OF the Constitu-
tion of the United States I'm some language
and that any immigrant falling I'm this shall
not be admitted but shall be returned 10 the
country from whence he came az the ex-
pense Of the steamship or railroad company
which brought him.
ILLITERATES VS.. AGITATORs.
THE best reason that could be given for
this radical restriction OF immigration II
the necessity of protecting our population
against degeneration and saving our na-
tonal peace and quiet from imported tur-
bulence and disorder L cannot believe that
We would be protected against these evils
by limiting immigration TO those who can
read and write in any language twenty-five
words Of our Constitution. In my opinion
IL is infinitely more safe TO admit hun
dred thousand immigrants who though un-
able TO read and write. seek among us
only home and opportunity TO work than
To admit one OF those unruiy agitators and
enemies OF governmental control who can.
not only read and write. but delights I'm
arousing by infiammatory spesch the Hitter
ate and peacefully inclined 90 discomfort
and tumuit. Violence and disorder do nos