Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-03-06

largely due to the assimilation and thrift Of
millions Of sturdy and patriotic adopted citi-
zens attcsts tho success OF this generous
and free-handed policy which. while guarding
the peoples interest, cxacts from our immi-
grants only physical and moral soundness and
o willingness and ability 10 work.
Il Is claimed, believe, that the time has
come for the further restriction OF immigration
on tho ground that IN excess Of population
overcrowds our land 1t Is said. however that
the quality Of recent immigration Is undcsir-
able, for the time is quite within recent mcm-
CRY when the same thing was said OF immi.
grants who. with their descendants, are now
numbered among our best citizens
The claim IL also made that the influx OF
foreign laborers deprives Of tho opportunity to
work those who are better fitted than they 70
privileges OF earning their own livelihood by
daily toll An unfortunate condition II Ger
tainly presented when any man who IL willing
70 labor Is unemployed But SO far Us this
condition now exists among our people IL
must be conceded to be q result Of phenomenal
business depression and the staynation Of oil
enterprises In which labor Is factor With the
advent OF settled and wholesome financial and
economic governmental policies and con-
sequent encouragement to the activity Of cap
ital. tho misfortunes Of unemployed labor
should, to great extent ut least, DO remedled
II Il continues It's natural consequences must
DO to check tho future immigration TO our cities
Of foreign laborers and to deplcte the ranks OF
those already here In tho meantime those
most willing and best entitled ought TO be able
70 secure the advantages OF such work Us there
Is to do
II IL proposed by the bill under consideration
20 meet the alleged difficulties OF the situation
by establishing IN educational test by which
the right OF the foreigner TO make his homo
with US shall be determined. Its general scheme
Is TO prohibit from admission TO our country all
immigrants physically capable and over 10
years who cannot read nnd write the English
language" The best reason that could DO
given for this radical restriction OF immigra-
ton was the necessity Of protecting our popu-
lation against degeneration md saving our
national peace and quiet from imported
turbulence and disorder. cannot
believe that we would be pro-
tected against these evils by limiting immi-
grafton to those who can read and write In any
language e5 words Of our constitution In my
opinion II Is infinitely more safe TO admit q
hundred thousand immigrants who. though
unable to read and write, seek among US only o
home and opportunity to work. than TO admit
one Of those unruly agitators who cannot only
read and write. but delight In arousing
by inaammatory speech the illiterute
and peacefully inclined TO discomfort and
tumuit Violence and disorder do not origi-
nate with illiterate laborers. They arc rather
the victims OF educated agitators. The ability
70 read and write rs required In this bill and OF
itself, affords. In my opinion. n misleading test
Of contented industry and supplies unsatisfac-
tory evidence OF desirable citizenship or q
proper apprehension Of the benefits OF our In
situations