The Holly chieftain., 1899-07-28
7HE IMMIGRATION LAWS.
The Sub Committee of the Industrial
Commission Hold an Inquiry
at New York.
The ITALIAN pApsoAE SYSTEM HERE.

The Species of Lsbor-sslling Prevalent In
New York At One Time Suppressed
Testimony About the Arrival Of Nor
mon Converts-rhe Exclusion Of Inmi.
grants-Canadian Immigration.
New York, July 26..-The hearing of
the subcommittee of the United States
industrial commission. which is inquir-
ing into the working of the immigra-
tion laws at this port, was resumed
to-day. The examination of Assistant
Commissioner Of immigration Edward
F. McSweeney was resumed. Chair
witness regarding the existence Of the
padrone system in this country. MIR.
McSweeney said:
II by the padrone system Is meant that immi-
grants are controlled by certain bankers after
they come here; that the commissary Is regu-
lated by these men; that the money Of the i'm
migrant is sent back to Italy by these bankers
II that is what we consider the padrone system
1t still exists The system reputcd to have OBJ
tanned years ago. whereby the bankers induced
these men to come here, 1 do not think any
longer exists because there is no need for it
They now come OF their own accord. Before
they come they know that by going 70 certain
banker they will fnd employment My impress
sion is that the Italian immigrants prefer to be
under the control OF the padrone.
"What other races, besides the Ital-
ians and Orientals, are held in indus
trial bondage?" asked the chairman.
The reply was:
There was species of labor-selling prevalent
In New York for long time, but 1 believe 1t
was suppressed under Commissioners Senner
and tNhf
were taken into families and kept there at NOM
innl wages for years.
Mr.. McSweeney said that while the
girls were not brought here for i'm
moral purposes, many of them became
outcasts owing to their harsh treat
ment. He said that many such girls
were living in New York, according to
the police.
The assistant commissioner said that
during the Spanish-American war the
Italian cabinet had issued circular
saying that business here was sus-
pended and instructed the projects of
police to curtail as much as possible
the granting of passports to prospec-
tive emigrants.
Mr.. McSweeney was questioned at
length in regard to Mormon immigra-
ton. He said that probably 95 per
cent. of the new arrivals were women.
They all come over in charge OF an
elder. They all claim to be Latter Day
Saints and declare, with great deal
of force, that they intend to obey the
laws of the United States.
Regarding the exclusion Of immi-
grants he said that of the Is per cent.
of the new arrivals, or rs, 900 persons,
examined by the special board of in
quiry, ten per cent. were excluded.
Mr.. McSweeney made long state
ment regarding the complaint that
Hebrews were not properly classified
He said the great thing was to classify
the immigrants industrially and that
asking their religion was means to
that end.
what records have you in regard to
the Canadian immigration?" was asked:
There are great many Canadians who come
here every year to work and then return. The
problem is more pressing In Boston than here.
The port OF Boston receives as many immigrants
from Canada as from Europe. 1t has been es-
timated that from $1,000 to 7O,0o1 come here
every year. and many Of them find their way US
far south as New Orleans where they work as
longshor emen.
Mr.. McSweeney's examination was
suspended and he gave way to Gustav
H. Schwab, one of the agents of the
North German Lloyd Steamship COM
pany, who was sworn. Mr.. Schwab
said he believed the immigration laws
were inte]ligently and carefully exc
cuted. He said the companies had issued
orders to investigate everyone applying
for passage and his company held such
agents personally responsible If the
immigrant is returned. He believed
such rigid investigation of the antece-
dents of such persons was more reli-
able than the proposed consular in
vestigation
Robert Floyd, representing the Gu
nard line, declared his company would
not be party to any attempt to evade
the immigration laws. Several other
steamship agents also testified in like
Champion wingshot of the World.
Kansas City, Mo-, July 28.-J. A. K.
Elliott, OF this city, yesterday defeated
w. b. Crosby, of Batavia, N. Y, in
match for the wingshot championship
of America, which makes him the un-
disputed champion of the world with
the shotgun. He now holds every