The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-14
DOORS OPEN.
Senator Caffery of Louisiana,
on immigration Bill.
He Makes a Strong Appeal
Against 1t.
HE WANTS TO LET IN
Men Strong in Mind and Body
and Industrious,
Even if They Cannot Read and
Write.
lie WANTS TO LET IN

Washington. Jan. 14-Mr. Caffery
(Dem. Lap addressed the senate in op-
position to the immigration bill in part
as follows:
THE pending bill is as mild a form
of antagonism to immigration as ma
tivism will permit.
1T imposes an educational test of no
very stringent character as far as the
test is concerned. 1t is, however, the
beginning of a new departure. From
the foundation of the government we
have invited the hardy, adventurous
people of the Caucasian family to our
hospitabIe shores. The grand trans
formation of this continent from the
wigwam of the savage and the lair of
the wild beast to the myriad homes of
happy, Industrious people has been the
work of the white immigrant Yet we
are about to smite the hand that has
upbuilded US.
ITO give a sting to ingratitude many
whose ancestors are foreign born, are
now clamoring for a restricted immi-
grafton.
1T is just and proper to hold this
sentiment against the Monaghan. The
exclusion of the Chinese is justified by
wise policy and by the principle of re-
taliation. Their doors have been clos
ed to the world, but their arrogance
and seIdshness are not the role for wise
nations to play in this worlds grand
treaty.
Not to admit to this country the
Irishmen, Swede or Italian, who cannot
read or write, is Chinese, not Ameri-
can.
mo danger to our institutions has
ever arisen from admitting immigrants
who cannot read and write This gov
eminent is the outgrOwth of the labor
Of jT1oTl1i ntS who would be
DISQUALIFIED by the pending Dill he
who is vigorous in body, sound in mind
honest and Industrious, is a good citi-
zen
Mr.. Caffery maintained that each
state had a right to legislate regarding
restriction on suffrage, but he held that
a citizen of the United States was one
thing, and a voter in a state, quite an
other.
"A large number of the supporters of
this biu' said Mr.. Caffery, favor the
Incorporation into the United states
the Hawaiian islands with their het-
erogenious mass of Asiatics, Portu-
guese and Kanakas-
Mr.. Canery deemed it useless to print
long columns of figures showing that
the undesirable immigrants hocked to
the sIums of eastern cities and sup
piled the largest percentage OF the IL
ii+era tes If there was not work for
them. thew would not be there. If
there is, they are needed. Mr.. Canery
held that the enfranchlsed coIOred peO-
pie had kept the white immigrants out
of the south, since the war, much to the
detriment of that part of the country.
"A career of bOundless prosperity
opens up before u.s. declared Mr.. CAT
ferry. But we must take care lest
our unwise restriction of immigrants
and our cruel, foolish laws of prohibit
ton of foreign goods do not work US
woe.
'.This bilI'' continued Mr.. Caffery ''is
the cry of prescription and selfshness.
1t is another form of the mania of pro
lection 1t is repugnant to democracy
in it's widest sense. 1t is a libel of
|, 70. OOO, 600 freemen whose ancestors as
we'll as themselves, have welcomed to
our shores every son and daughter OF
TOLL