The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-03-06

President Cleveland vetoes the
immigration Bill
Message setting Forth His Reasons
Declares Its Provisions Are
un-Americnn and Harsh
The Educational Test.


dent has vetoed the immigration bill.
The message setting forth it's objec-
tions to the measure was written and
was delivered to the house late in the
afternoon. IL calls attention TO the
first section of that measure excluding
from admission to the United States
illiterate persons. designated in the sec
ton and declares that the provision
presents a radical departure from orr
national policy relating TO immigra-
| ton. II says:
! Heretofore, we have welcomed all who
/ oame 10 us from other lands. except those
whose moral or physical condition or his
tory threatened danger to our national well
/ fare and safety. Relying upon the jealous
watchfulness OF our people 10 prevent In
| jury TO our political and social fabric, we
| have encouraged those coming from for
eIgn countries TO cast their lot with us
and Join In the development OF our vast
domain. securing In return n share in the
blessings OF American citizenship. CEN
tury's stupendous growth. largely due TO
| the assimilation and thrift OF millions or
sturdy and patriotic adopted citizens at
tests the success OF this generous and free
| handed policy, which, while guarding the
peoples interests exacts from our immi-
] grants only physical and moral soundncss
and willingness and ability 20 work a
contemplation OF tho grand results OF this
| policy cannot fail TO arouse sentiment
In it's defense"
The claim is also made that the infiux OF
foreign laborers deprives of the opportuni-
| ~ 10 work those who are better entitled than
| they 10 the privilege OF earning their live
| lihood by daily toll. An unfortunate con-
] dillon Is certainly presented when any
who are willing TO labor are unemployed.
| Hut so far as this condition now exists
among our people. II must be conceded 10
| be n result OF phenomenal business de-
| preston and the stagnation OF all enter
prises I'm which labor IS n factor. With
the advent OF settled and wholesome fnan-
| cial and economic governmental policies
| and a consequent encouragement TO the ac-
| tivity OF capital the misfortunes OF unem-
ployed labor should 10 great extent. at
| least, be remedied. III II continues It's nat
| ural consequences must be 10 check fur
| ther immigration 10 our cities OF foreign
laborers and TO deplete the ranks Of those
already there In the meantime those most
| willing and best entitled ought to be able
20 secure the advantages OF such work as
| there IL 20 do
The educational test contained I'm the
! bin receives close attention. On this par
| ticular point Mr. Cleveland says: I'm my
opinion 81 ~ Infinitely more safe 10 admit
| 100 600 immigrants who, though unable TO
read and write seek among us only n
home and opportunity 10 work, than 70 adj
nit OF one of those unruly agitators and
| enemies OF governmental control who can
not only read and write, but delights I'm
| arousing by innammatory speech the H.
| llterate and peacefully-inclined 10 dlscon-
| tent and tumuit Violence and disorder
| do not originate with illiterate laborers.
| They are rather the victims OF the edu-
Gated agitators. The ability TO read and
| write as required I'm this bill. In and OF IT.
self affords. In my opinion, misleading
| test OF contented industry and supplies un-
satisfactory evidence OF desirable citizen
ship or a proper appreciation OF the bene-
/ Ats or our institutions.
''The provisions intended TO rid that part
OF the proposed legislation already re-
/ ferred TO from obvious hardship appear
TO me 10 be indefinite and inadequate.
| parent grandparent, wife or minor child
OF qualified immigrant. though unable 20
| read and write, may accompany the immi-
| grant or be sent for TO join his family,
| provided the immigrant is capable OF sup
| porting such relative. These exceptions 10
/ the general rule OF exclusion contained I'm
| the bill were made 10 prevent the separa-
tion OF families. and yet neither brothers
| nor sisters are provided for. In order that
| relatives who are provided for may be re-
| united, those still In foreign lands must be
sent for 10 join the immigrant here. What
| formality is necessary TO constitute this
! prerequisite. and how are the facts OF re-
! lationshiD and that the relative Is sent
i for. 10 be establshed2 Are the illlterate
/ relatives or immigrants who have come
here under prior laws entitled TO the ad-
vantage or these exceptions? husba nd
/ who can read and write and who deter
mines to abandon his illiterate wife abroad
VIII find here under this law an absolutely
safe retreat. The illiterate relatives mem
| toned must not only be sent for, but such
| immigrant must be capable or support
ing them when they arrive This require
| ment proceeds upon the assumption thnt
| the foreign relatives coming here are In
every case, by reason OF poverty liable 10
Il ~
| grant Is capable or their support The
contrary Is very often true. And vet
| II unable 10 read and write, though oIlto
able and willing to support themselves and
their relatives here besides. they could not
be admitted under the provisions or this
bill II the immigrant was Impoverished
though the aid OF his fortunate but nlit-
crate brother might be the means OF saving
him from pauperSm."
Further on the president remarks: THE
prohibition against the employment OF
aliens upon any public works OF the United
states is In line with other leglslation/of
like character. IL Is quite a different
thing. however. 10 declare II a crime FOR
an alien 10 come regularly and habltually
into the United States for the purpose or
obtaining work from private parties. N
such alien returns from time TO time To
foreign sountry and 10 constitute any em-
ployment Of such alien a criminal or
tense.
when we consider these provisions Of
the bill In connection with our long north
ern frontier and the boundaries of several
OF our states and territoriea. often but an
imaginary line separating them from the
British dominions and recall the friendly
intercourse between the people who are
ncighbors on either side, the provisions OF
this bin Affecting them must be reea rded
as ilhberal. narrow and un-Amor.can.
In conclusion. he says. "A careful OK
animation Of this bill has convinced me
that for the reasons given and others spe-
cihcaliy stated. its provisions are unnec-
essarily harsh and oppressive. and that It's
defects la construction would cause vexa-
ton and ia operation would result i'm harm
TO our citizens"
Want UhI Retained.
Berlin, March IA petition for the