Evening star., 1897-03-03
IMMIGRATION BILL VETO.
The President Objects TO the Educa.
ttOnal Restriction

The veto message of the President unon
the immigration bill was sent to the House
last night. The fact that the bill had been
vetoed was published In The Star yester-
day. The message said, In part:
A radical departure from our national
poicy relating to immigration is here pre-
sented- Heretofore we have welcomed all
VINO came to us from other lands except
those whose moral or physical condition or
history threatened danger to our national
welfare and safety. Relying upon the
Jealous watchfulness OF our people to pre-
vent injury to our political and social fab
ric. We have encouraged those coming
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 citizenship A
century's stupendous growth largely due
TO the assimilation and thrift of millions of
sturdy and patriotic adopted citizens at
test the success of this generous and free
named policy, which. while guarding the
peoples interests, exacts from our ,mmi-
grants only physical and moral soundness.
and willingness and ability to work.
"A contemplation of the grand results Ct
this policy cannot fail to arouse a senti-
ment In Its defense; for however II might
nave been regarded as original PROPOSE
ton and viewed an experiment, lis ac-
complishments are such tha; IL il * 10 he
uprooted at this late day its iisadyan-
tages should be plainly apparent and the
substitute adopted should be just and ade-
quate. free from uncertainties and guard
ed against difficult or oppressive admins
tration"
1T is proposed by the bill under consider
alton to meet the alleged difficulties of the
situation by establishing an educational
test by which the right Of a foreigner to
make his home with us shall be letter
mined. Its general scheme is TO prohibit
from ADMISSION TO our country all immi-
grants physically capable and over sixteen
years of age who cannot read and write
the English language, some other Ian
guage:' and II is provided that this test
shall be applied by requiring immigrants
seeking admission to read and aftsrward
to write not less than twenty nor more
than twenty-five words of the Constitution
of the United States in some language
and that any immigrant falling in ths
shall not be admitted, but shall be return
ed to the country from whence he came al
the expense of the steamship or railroad
company which brought him.
The best reason that could be given for
this radical restriction of immigration is
the necessity of protecting population
against degeneration and saving our ma
tional peace and quiet from imported tur.
buence and disorder.
II cannot believe that we would be FRO.
tected against these evils by limiting i'm
migration to those who can read and write
in any language twenty-five words Of our
Constitution. In my opinion. II as infinitely
more safe to admit hundred thousand
immigrants who. though unable To read
and write, seek among us only home and
opportunity to work. than to admit one of
those unruly agitators and enemies OF
governmental control who cannot only :ead
and write, but delights in aro1sina, by in
hamma tory speech, the illiterate and peace
fully inclined to discomfort End tumUlt.
Violence and disorder do not originate with
illiterate laborers."