The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-21
The Bars Must Be
Put Up YET Higher
From the Lancaster New Era.


Few facts and figures have more inter-
est for the average American at the pres
ent time than those which are concerned
with the immigration problem. Every one
is aware of the demand on the part of the
majority of the American people for some
legal measures that shall imit, even
though it may not entirely prohibit, un-
desirable immigrat ton. We all know why
this is demanded; it is not only very
reasonable request, but it seems absolute
ly necessary if we would keep our citizen
ship up TO its past and present standard.
1t is true we are a nation of 1O,OO0000
souls, and it may be alleged we need not
be under any apprehensions that quar-
ter of a million or even a half million for
eigners annually dumped upon us can do
us much harm. Granting that such a
view is in the main correct, there are
other considerations that come into play
and deserve recognition.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1897,
the number of strangers who came to us
from other countries was go, ,S32. That
was more than 100000 less than came the
year before. In other years the annual
arrivals We're more than half n million.
But 1t is not to the mere numbers that
Americans are opposed, so much as to
their character. And here we may pause
to say that the character of the people
during the past decade or two is vastly
different frol that of the men who came
to us half a century or more ago. Then
the newcomers were mostly Germans
and Irish, with sprinklng of other ma
tionalties. 1t is no longer so. True the
Emerad Isle end the Fatherland still send
some of their sons, but in greatly dimin-
ished numbers. Instead we have the
swarthy sons of Italy, the unkempt Po-
lander, the unwashed Hun. Worst of all,
those who now crCss the sea are the most
abject and illiterate Of all their country
men.
1t will hardly be believed when we say
that so per cent OF al the immigrants
Italy sends us can neither read nor write
their own language. OF those who came
from Poland, S9l5 per cent. are in the same
fix Russia, Austria and Hungary present
us with 2S per cent. illiterates. Is ii any
wonder that these people, knowing MOTH
ing Of our laws, are continually found
violating them, from a mistaken idea
that this being a land of freedom and lib
erty, they can do about as they please?
Not only are these people iliterate, but
they are also largely unskilled workmen.
They come here knowing no trade. They
must rely on any odd job they find to do.
They help to augment the volume>of the
| unemployed and the idle, There Is at all
| times large Quantity of labor that can
get nothing TO do, except odd Jobs now
and then. 1t is from the ranks of such
men that the criminal class graduates.
But there are some other Objectionable
| features to this almost unrestricted immi-
| grafton. Much of 1t has been criminal
| and pauper. OF course, we try TO guard
| against that, but often unsuccessfulIy.
The proportion debarred and returned is
| steadily diminishing. During the past
.1,, al
| cent. This is another deplorable evil.
| There as a time when even the jails and
poor houses of the o!d world poured their
| inmates upon us. From very shame, that
had been almost stopped but even now il
is sometimes attempted. All these things
seem to render 1t almost imperative that
| further restrictive legislation should be
had. II is demanded on all sides. The
need OF 1t is acknowledged. The remedy
must be applied.