The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1901-12-04
ITALY IN THE LEAD.
Sends More Immigrants to America
Than Other Lands.
Commissioner General Powderly
Recommends Law for DISTRIBUTION
of PenniIess AIiens-Hint
Worth Taking.

The annual report of COMMISSIONS
General Powderly, of the immigra
ton bureau, shows the total steerag
arrivals in the United States during
the year to have been 4s7,o1S, an in
crease over the preceding year of 80,
BAG, or approximately nine per cent
OF this increase, 1000 came through
Canadian ports, and the remainder
through ports of this country. There
were also 74,950 other alien passen
gers who came in the cabin, making a
total for the year of 562,S SOS.
The ratio of increase of Italian inn
migration as compared with those
from the same country last year, is
approximately 36 per cent, or more
than threefold the ratio of increase
from all Europe. The increase nu-
mericalIy from all other countries of
Europe aggregate scarcely onefourth
of that of Italy.
The total steerage immigration
was distributed, as to sex, between
331 ,055 males and 156,S63 females; as
to age, between 62,562 under IA years,
396,516 from IA to As years, and U.s.
GU OF 40 years ana over.
1t is shown that 1851 were I'M
able to read or write, 3,O5s could read,
but not write; that 294,S60 brought
each less than $50 and that 56,312 had
more than $50 apiece.
During the year 1863 were returned
to their respective countries, having
become public charges within one
year after landing.
The number refused landing was
S,516, as against 4,246 for last year.
1t is shown that the character of
immigration was decidedly superior
to that of last year, the reflections
being 73O less, although the arrivals
were 1896 more. The principal
countries from which the steerage ar
rivals for the year came are given as
follows: Italy, Sicily and Sardinia,
I35,996; Austria-Hungary, 1890;
Russian empire and Finland, S5,257;
Ireland, 30,561; Sweden, O., 1881; Ger
man empire, 21,651; Norway, 12,24S;
England, 1924.
The larger number of immigrants,
1t is shown, were destined to the
York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
The bureau reiterates the view ex-
pressed in its last annual report as
TO the necessity of amending the laws
In relation to punishment of persons
who induce aliens to come to the
United States to engage in labor or
service of any kind.
In discussing the general subject
of immigration, the commissioner
general says, in part:
ITO deal with the problem success
fully it seems indispensable to re-
uove as far as possible those condi-
lions which conflict with the incor-
poration of the alien element into
Che social system of the country, so
chat by actual experience the former
may learn as soon as possible that
the basis and foundation of the Amer
lean policy is respect and affection
tor willing obedience to the laws
and customs of the land, because the
maintenance of those laws is the
best safeguard of individual liberty.
1t is, therefore, recommended that
congress enact suitable legislation
either with, or, if necessary, without
the cooperation of the state, for the
purpose of distributing the alien pop
0laion with some reference to the in
dus trial law of supply and demand"