The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-02

the field of labor. 1t became apparent after
a few years of experience that without re-
striction immense numbers of the subjects
of the densely-populated Chinese Empire
would sweep through the Western gates,
invade the Pacific coast, cross the Rocky
mountains down into the Mississippi valley,
and to the Atlantic coast, taking the places
occupied or to be occupied by American
workmen.
The Chinese have no ways in common
with us. They are not OF our religion.
They can never become blended into our eX-
cellent citizenship. Actin upon the prin-
ciple that our supreme duty is TO our own
couDtrymen, we closed our doors against
the further admission of Chinese laborers.
There were those who believed their adj
mission wise; that thereby We would OBJ
tain abundant and cheap labor, but those
who reasoned, reasoned against our ulti-
mate best interests.
Cheap labor is not the sole end we seek
in the United States. 1t is our pride that
this is not cheap-labor country; that
labor is better paid here than in any other
country. The sentiment is proclaimed over
and over again from platform and press.
labor We want well-paid labor. We desire
not only well-paid labor, but want that
labor steadily employed.
THE INFLUX OF FOREIGNERS.
1.-The currents of immigration are strong
ly set towards the United States. During
the last ten years 3.6l5,163 have landed
upon our shores. and during the fiscal year
ending June 80 last 64S, 743 aliens were added
to our numbers. 1t will be seen that in one
year enough arrived to found four cities
as large as Kansas City; more
than enough to make city as
large and populous as the great me-
tropolis of st. Louis, and. If the present
rate of immigration continues enough will
be admitted in five years to make State
as great and populous as the State of Mis-
souri, Many of the arrivals are desirable.
Many of them possess the qualities which
will make good citizens. and many OF them
give no promise that they will strengthen
our institutions.
THE duality of our immigration is not
so good nor so desirable as Ii was in the
earlier days. The percentage of illiteracy
has increased in marked degree. OF
fourteen years 162,1SS could neither read
nor write They came chiefly from the
countries that contribute our least de-
sirable immigrants. May we not, in the
exercise of a wise national policy say to
such as are not able TO read or write that
they shall not come to be educated at our
expense or to enter into competition with
educated American labor? III they want
TO come and enjoy our priceless heritage,
let them be better prepared to wear the
robes of American citizenship. May We
not Justly apply a reasonable educational
test? Bills have been pending In Congress
for some years. and have passed one or the
other branches. adding to the classes of
aliens excluded from admission TO the
United States those physically capable and
over sixteen years of age. who cannot read
or write the English language or some
other language, but reasonable exceptions
were made so not to exclude such as
were over fifty years of age, and whose
admission should be allowed out OF hui
manitarian considerations. The application
of this slight educational test last year
TO those above fourteen years of age
would have excluded about 10000
Let us not be too profiigatc of our op-
portunities. In being generous to others,
let us be entirely just TO ourselves, native
and foreign-born alike. The quality rather
than the quantity of our citizenship is the
all-essential consideration. Who will say
that we have not the right TO exclude those
who are illiterate, above reasonable age,
and who are not entitled TO admission be-
cause of family considerations? Who will
say that IL Is not our moral duty to do so
And who will deny that such exclusion is
not justified in the best interests of Amer
lean labor and American citizenship?
LABOR INSURANCE.
There are few subjects more worthy OF
our consideration than that of labor in
surance. One OF the most beneficent pro-
visions I'm our domestic economy is in
surance: life insurance, fire insurance. fidel-
ity insurance, accident insurance and the
like The wisdom OF the distribution OF loss
resulting from death. fire. dishonesty and
accident has long been recognized. The
extension Of this principle to those who are