Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-03-05
A VETO MESSAGE.
President Refuses to Sign the I'M
migration Bill.
PRESENTS REASONS FOR HIS ACTION.

The Monetary Conference Bill Goes
to the President for His Action
House Displays Jealousy Over
Inaugural Arrangements.
Washington, March 3.-The presi-
dent has vetoed the immigration bill.
The message setting forth its objec-
tions to the measure was written and
was delivered to the house late in the
afternoon. 1t 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 radical departure from our
national policy relating to immigra-
ton. It says:
Should Admit All Good People.
Heretofore. we have welcomed all who
came to 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 to 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 a share in the
blessings of American citizenship A CEN
the assimilation and thrift Of millions OF
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 soundness
and a willingness and ability to work. A
contemplation Of the grand results OF this
policy cannot fail to arouse sentiment
in its Defense"
Have Made Good Citizens.
Referring to the claims that the quality
Of recent immigration Is undesirable, Pres
ident Cleveland says the time is quite with
in recent memory when the same thing was
said of immigrants who. with their de-
scendants, are now numbered among our
best citizens. 1t is said that too many i'm
migrants settle in our cities. thus danger
ously increasing their idle and vicious pop
ulation. This Is certainly disadvantage.
It cannot be shown, however, that 1t af-
fects all our cities nor that it Is perma-
nent; nor does 1t appear that this condi-
ton where It exists demands as Its rem
edy the reversal of our present immigration
policy.
Eject ON Labor.
The claim Is also made that the influx Of
foreign laborers deprives of the opportuni-
tyto work those who are better entitled than
they to the privilege OF earning their i've
lihood by daily toll. An unfortunate con-
dition is certainly presented when any
who are willing to labor are unemployed.
But so far as this condition now exists
among our people, 1t must be conceded to
be a result of phenomenal business de-
preston and the stagnation OF all enter
prises in which labor Is factor. With
the advent of settled and wholesome finan-
cial and economic governmental policies
and q consequent encouragement to the &C.
tivity of capital the misfortunes of unem-
ployed labor should to a great extent, at
least, be remedied. If 1t continues its nat
ural consequences must be to check fur
Their immigration to our cities of foreign
laborers and to deplcte the ranks Of those
already there. In the meantime those most
willing and best entitled ought to be able
to secure the advantages OF such work as
there is to do.
The Educational Test.
The educational test contained in the
bill receives close attention. On this par
ticular point Mr.. Cleveland says: I'm my
opinion 1t is infinitely more safe to, admit
10000 immigrants who, though unable to
read and write, seek among us only a
home and opportunity to work, than to adj
NIT Of one of those unruly agitators and
enemies of governmental control who can
not only read and write, but delights in
arousing by inflammatory speech the H.
literate and peacefully-inclined to discon-
tent and tumult. 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 in this bill, in and of it
self, Affords in my opinion, misleading
test Of contented industry and supplies I'M
satisfactory evidence of desirable citizen
ship or proper appreciation of the bene-
fits of our institutions.
1.-The provisions intended to rid that part
of the proposed legislation already re-
ferred to from obvious hardship appear
to me to be indefinite and inadequate. A
parent, grandparent, wife or minor child
of a qualified immigrant, though unable to
read and write, may accompany the immi-
grant or be sent for to join his family,
provided the immigrant is capable of sun
the general rule of exclusion contained in
the bill were made to prevent the separa-
ton 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 to join the immigrant here. What
formality Is necessary to constitute this
prerequisite, and how are the facts of re-
lationship and that the relative is sent
for, to be established? Are the illiterate
relatives OF immigrants who have come
here under prior laws entitled to the adj
vantage OF these exceptions? A husband
who can read and write and who deter
mines to abandon his illiterate wife abroad
will 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 of support
ing them when they arrive This require
ment proceeds upon the assumption that
the foreign relatives coming here are In
every case. by reason of poverty, liable to
become public charge unless the immi-
grant Is capable of their support. The
contrary is very often true. And vet.
II unable to read. and write, though quite
able and willing to support themselves and
their relatives here besides, they could NOT
be admitted under the provisions of This
bill II the immigrant was Impoverished
though the aid of his fortunate but Tiff.
crate brother might be the means Of saving
him from pauperism."
Cn-Americnn Provisions.
Further on the president remarks: "T61e
prohibition against the employment If
aliens upon any public works of the Initial
States is in line with other legislat ton of
ike character. It is quite a different
thing, however, to declare it a crime for
an alien to come regularly and habitually
into the United States for the purpose of
obtaining work from private parties. II
such alien returns from time to time 10
foreign country and to ,constitute any enn
| ployment of such alien criminal Of
| tense.
When we consider these provisions Of
| the bill In connection with our long north
srn frontier and the boundaries of several
OF our states and territories. often but an
| imaginary line separating them from the
| British dominions, and recall the friendly
intercourse between the people who are
neighbors on either side, the provisions of
this bill affecting them must be repa rted