The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-03
IMMIGRATION BILL VETOED.
Ability TO Read and Write Is Not q
Conclusive Test-To Come Be-
fore the House To-day.

WASHT<GTON March 2.-The pres!-
dent today sent TO the house message
vetoing the immigration bill. After set
tinENout the provisions OF the Bill relative
10 the requirement 10 read and Write. the
message says;
a radical departure from our national
policy relating 10 immigration Is mere
presented. Heretofore We have welcomed
al who came 10 Us from other lands eX-
cept those whose moral or physical con-
ditson or history threatened danger 10 our
national welfare and safety. relying upon
the jealous watchfnlneSs OF our ffeopie 70
prevent injury 10 our political and social
fabric We have encouraged those com
ing from foreign countries to cast their
lot with us and Join in the development
Of our vast domain, securing IN return a
share in the blessings of American citi-
zanzhfp A centuTy's stupendOus growth,
largely due 10 the assimilation and fhFlft
az millions OF sturdy and patriotic citizens.
attsSts the success OF this generous ana
sreehgndsd policy. which. while guarding
fhe neople's interests. eXacfs from our iTfl-
migrants only physical and moral sound
ness and a willingness and aD4tity 70
work.
The message discusses At some ieng{h
the class OF immigrants 70 America and
the tendency TO crowd into the cities Il
continues:
The best reason that could he given
for this radical restriction OF tmmigr a. ton
Il the necessity OF protecting our popuia-
ftHn against uREfntratfoNt ana HANANe VII
rational peace and quiet from imported
turbulence and disorder. I cannot be-
Meve We would he projected against fhese
evils BY limiting immigration 70 those
who can read and write in any language
twenty-five words Of our constitution
In my ouinfon ID IS Infinitely more SAFE
10 admit fe9 90 immigrants VINO fh1uXh
unable 20 read and write. seek anloIlE 9s
only 4 home and an opportunity 10 woTA.
thar 10 admit ore of those uufuly aEl-
tat0rs ard enemies OF govern Tnen5al con
troll un0 can n0t only read ana NFite'
bfyr delight lu sr0usIUg Oy tnilauiT1atofy
s-~.r.srh fse sI}lterate ard peacefully in
fifnea 90 discomfort and tumuN- Niosence
ard disorder do not originate Nifn lfal-
crate Ia ts0rers. They are r@Eher tae VIC
ff~~s ~ ire afurafgd aEtiafGfs. z 1e aHtf-
fsr ri read and write - required tn this
h3H az ITSELF affords. 81 gnt 0IiniSH.
r-sisf.-s,s trs.y test 81 cuntente1 industry ard
supplies unsatisfactory evidence % desir-
aha csr .zensHEo cF q proper @tfYF jitl374s@
~ fhs. benefits Of cur Institutions
AFsa~ discussing the nfsh section. rsla-
.s-e 20 tha employment OF aliens. the
message says the prohibition against EN-
r-3svnnent of aIens on puoisc works Is n
ire with LEGISLATION of a Ike character
s.ft is quite different tnlng. says the
message. eEo declare it 3 crime for an
af.er 10 come regularly AID haoitG1tlF
sv.so rne t.nItsz States fer the purpose of
otrat-fnr work from private parties. Il
sura alien returns from tine 70 time 20
a foreign country. and IL constitute any
s<nu1rvu vuasrt of such ai4en criminal Of
tense when We consider these provisions
of tne hn{ ~ c8anact5on win our long
r,.-~there frontier and fhe boundaries C
sssersf - our states and territories. often
hssr an imaginary lire separating them
frous fhe Brit}sh douiBlans, ard refa u
ne friendly ~ ereourse aetvTesa fae peo-
rse una are ID Ehnors on sl1her side. the
rro~isions 81 tlsz ns3 affecting thefn must
fs rexzrsae1 IS .f8asral ard an-Anaerl-
can-@
says.
a careful examination OF tbs s4I las