New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
EMPLOYMENT OFALLENLABOR
PURPOSE OF AssEA1BLYMAN MINToN IN
THE MEASURE TO RESTRICT IT
ON PUBLIC WORKS

Albany, Feb II (SpeciaD.-The resolution in
troduced by Assemblyman Minton OF New
York, in regard TO the restriction OF immigra-
ton and the employment Of alien labor on pub
lie works will be brought up in the Assembly
tomorrow night In defining his reasons for
introducing this resolution. Mr.. AIinton said to
q Tribune correspondent to-day:
We are entering an area of vast improve
ments, one that Is common to all civilizations
when populations increase and concentrate,
creating thereby a demand for extensive public
works, which are made attainable by wealth.
The Manhattan and Bronx tunnel contemplates
an expenditure Of not less than $50, 100000. and
already II is animated that similar tunnels con-
Meeting the several bOroughs Of the city are 10
be constructed The Governor Of this State has
recommended that over S6O,OOO,OOO be expended
on the Erie Canal In view Of these improve
meuts alone il is safe 10 say that within few
years not less than S5OOOOOOOO will be paid
out for public works in this State. Let Us,
therefore, consider for a moment just one phase
of this expenditure. Does it not present a brill
liant promise for the employment Of labor? 1t
does, but not to the American citizen much
as to a multitude Of aliens who come crowding
to shores
The news Of these improvements has been sent
across the seas In spite Of the prohibition
placed by Federal authorities the issu-
ance Of circulars and posters setting forth prom
ises of Ia Dor the steamship companies in the
immigrant transportation business are making
strenuous efforts TO load their ships with immi-
grants in open violation Of the Federal laws.
These companies know full well that these laws
are but rarely carried out. They know that it is
ton 70 obtain evidence against them that would
stand in a of law. and upon which COnviC-
ton could be obtained. Indeed, Commissioner
FoWCerly himself says that there is abundant
proof that the law is Violated. The statistics
show that while 31l115 persons were admitted
TO this country in the year ending June 80, 1899,
only al were rejected. The steamship conpa-
MES are not at all concerned in the fate that
awaits the immigrant. As one steamship agent
testified before the Congressional committee
their business was that Of a commercial enter
prise and not of philanthropic concern.
The statistics Of immigration substantially
prove that the tide Of immigra ton sweIs with
the prosperity of the country and GIBBS when
panic prevails; Reports OF prosperity are indus
rlously circulated abroad. In view Of these
contemplated improvements, what have we rea-
sonably 10 expect? Our own State is affected
tne most. OF the 81, 10 persons received in the
last year New-York retained 1859 Or 81 per
cent, and Pennsylvania 10 1872 l6 per cent.
making q total of more than one-haIf Of the
number 81 ir7--ierar+s y - -1o-aI--- -
esjlH5 70 note that OF the 115,5T9 nat remained
in this State 50 per cent came from Southern
Europe, ISM were skilled wOrkmen. 27175
laborers. II, $50 domestic servants and II 500
were women and children having no occupation.
OF the entire army of invasion 1883 We're under
fourteen years 4 age and -4>lSI between four
teen and forry-tiye years Of age There were
1927 males and 16+3S females. ~ per cent
OF LV,,F', over me age OF fourteen years could
neither read nor write in their native language
Now, let il be assumed that the tide Of fnlr11-
grafton HoWs on without interruption What
IN the county md city Of New-YOrk? our Ia ho-
market is overlooking with citizen Ia bor can II
be anything else than glUttad when there is
pouring il such an influx IF foraigaers2 Thar
such is the case is proved by the report Of the
such labor unemployed. one or r-ro -hiut-7. nus
result therefore. Either the citizen labor !
crowded out by alien labor or the latter, after
having been cruelty deceived, is left TO suffer
from misery and poverty.
To whom does the work 20 be done on these
vast improvements really beIong2 Does il NOT
belong TO the citizens Of this State be rhav
native or natursltZed2 Is IL not the Cutv Of The
Legislature 10 protect the people they represent
OF the Labor law was intended TO protect the
citizen against the inrOads OF foreign immigra-
the law put into effect. II is only necessary
10 refer TO the report Of the Bureau Of a nor
relative 70 the canals. II is stated in this report
that aliens were employed on this work almost
70 the entire exclusion OF citizens. Il was shown
that aliens who had not been in this country
longer than three weeks were employed on the
canals, and identified one from the other
like chattel by means Of numbered brass tags
To evade the law they signed or made their
mark on a card 10 the effect that they were
American citizens The violations Of the Labor
law, therefore. are so glazing as 10 be absurd.
IN fact, the compliance with the law was the
exception Out Of 1900 IabOrers only 1000
were American citizens, whereas 1880 were
ltaHans o0O Poles and I9O Hungartans- Out Of
800 masons 600 were aliens. Out of All wall
layers 364 were aliens. and out Of 100 mason
helpers 625 were unnaturalized- In his report
the Commissioner says.
1T is a pitiable sight 10 see a lot OF Polish
Italian and Hungarian laborers az work on
State contracts while American citizens are
standing around idle, waiting for work. Con-
tractors will not hire citizens because aliens are
preferred"
Accordingly is il not reasonable to assume
that the American laborer is iruperiIled even
though Federal and State laws have been en-
acted for his protection? For this reason I have
introduced this resolution which I believe VIII
be Of more avail than further legislation. All
that hope TO do therefore. IS 10 attract atten-
ton to the pitiahle condition of things now ex-
listing and 70 those laws which are not enforced.
50 that an appreciation Of the situation Will
suit In elaboration and proper action.
pATT0E TOrrEFC nv Evp.1-oTo,-