The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-04-23
DIR, ], w, Andrews In an Interesting
Paper Points the Need for
Greater Restriction.
Various Phases of the Question
Discussed by the Social Science
Club.

past years, what has been done toward
excluding those of an undesirable ma
ture, and also commented upon the
measures that are proposed in shut
ting out those of an undesirable
character in the future. In part he
said: There is no country in the
civilized world so diversified in
climate, in commerce, in agriculture
and in its inherent resources as is the
United States Of America. 1t is not
an easy matter therefore for congress
to enact law which will be equally
beneficial to, and desirable for, every
state in the union. Yet we must re-
gard our country as one great and
grand whole, and her sons and
daughters as composing one large
family, the individual members of
which are interested in those things
which will be of the greatest benefit
10 the greatest number" So any law
that would work to the disadvantage
of an eastern state cannot be fOStered
by one west, though it might work no
injury to her people. Minnesota, the
DakOtas or Oregon may not feel the
need of a law restricting immigration,
yet no loyal citizen of the United
States cannot but most fOrcibly feel
the urgent necessity of restrictive
legislation, and that it be speedily
enacted. 1t may be urged that we have
sufficient legislation in that respect
already. The writer then reviewed
the legislation now on the statute
books providing the restriction of i'm
migration, commencing with the act
of 1891, prohibiting the landing OF
idiots, insane persons, paupers or per-
sons likely to become a public charge,
persons suffering from lOathsome or
contagious disease, those convicted OF
felony, polygamists, or contract Ia
borers. The only penalty for the vio-
lation of this act is that the persons
so rejected shall be returned by the
person or steamship company bringing
for the asking Of certain questions,
which cover name, age, sex, married
or single, occupation, ability to read
or write, last residence, final destina-
tion in this country. whether ever in
prison or almshouse, or supported by
charity, etc. These statements are
not sworn to by the immigrant, and he
may answer them as best suits him.
The act of 1894 imposes tax of Sl.0O
per head. But these acts are little
restraint upon immigration, farther
than to exclude idiots, insane persons
and those suffering from loathsOme
or contagious disease. All others who
are aimed to be excluded, are not for
they will not confess that they come
under the class not wanted. For the
years 1892, '93 and '94 out of total
immigration of 100000 only 5000
were excluded. When the character
of many of these immigrants are con-
sidered it will be found that our pres
,ent laws are wholly inadequate, and
more effective laws are demanded,
first because they are not sufficiently
stringent. Second, because foreign
courts allow criminals their freedom
on condition that they come here.
Third, because with government
like ours, pure government cannot
long exist, with our ports thrown open
to the class of immigrants we are now
receiving. Fourth, because our i'm
migrants are increasing in numbers
and deterioating in q uality. Fifth
because providing for our unemployed
is becoming a serious question. Sixth,
because thousands come here simply
to earn money and then return home
to spend it. Seventh, because as our
financial prospects brighten thousands
of undesirable immigrants will sweep
in upon US. Eighth, because the best
service our country can render the
world is to maintain our present high
standard.
He then discussed the remedy, and
could see nothing better than that
suggested by the immigration Re-
striction League, of Boston, and which
was incorporated in the Lodge bill,
viz: the illiteracy test. This pro-
posed that all immigrants between
the ages of IA and 60 years shall read
and write their own or some other
language intelligently and legibly. 1t
is conceded that the Germans, Scandi-
navians, English, Scotch and Irish
are our most desirable immigrants,
and all but very few of them can read
and write their own language. In
1885 and 'S6 only A per cent of this
class could not write or read. Our
present immigration is largely from
southern and eastern Europe, and i'm.
migration statistics show that 80 per
cent of them can neither read or
write. The tendency of this class to
crime was also commented upon. The
illiterate immigrants are all unskilled
workmen. and the American laborer
cannot compete with them as their
M ode of living is n iffprent and deprad.