Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-14
IMMIGRATION LAWS,
COMMISSIONER GENERAL. SAR-
GENTS VIEWS ON TIE SUBJECT.
LEGISLATION is NOT NEEDED.
Il is Desired, However. That Con-
Srcssmcn Keep Their Hands ofE
and Not Interfere with Workings
of the Bureau.
GENT,S VIEWS on TIE SUBJECT.
| LEGISLATION IS NOT NEEDED.
II is Desired, However. That Com

WASHINGTON, D. c., December 10
;Spacial.)-Mr Sargent. Commissioner
General of immigration. will tell the
Senate Committee on Immigration. at MS
earliest opportunity. that what is needed
is rot more lesiSIat top but rataer , .nat
their hands off and not interfere with
the workings Of his bureau, he viii
protest against the actions or congress
men who prevent the enforcement of the
present law The Commissio"er-Genera
feels very strongly the subject. His
experience in the Bureau OF lmmlgration
has taught him that the present law IS
good enough. without any changes pro.
yilcd it can be enforced, AID that II
cannot lie enforced under present cor
ditions.
General is that his AGENTS. IN Whom ne
HAS every reason TO have confidence, are
unable TO prevent undesirable inm M
grants from landing in this country pe-
s e. ~ their decisions IRE held up and
finally set aside by the influence ol ~
,rcssInen. 1t is not only unedlca tea PEI
sons who should not be aiio"tu 70 co!lls
into the J-nited States. and in the opinion
of Mr.. Sargent even some uneduca tca
nersons might make good citizens heil
: man goes before the Commissioner ..
Immigration at any port ne IS 0ne
toned and oxarHined in SUCH way lnat
il is possible for the Commissioner |"
iudc.. whether not he is mentally
morally. and physically tit for aoInls
sion to the United States some pros i
pective immigrants are ScAiS anu ~
sased. ard the Commissions: decides that
they must not be admitted The de
c;sion is upheld by Com-nissioner-e'e!ie
raj Sargent Then the congressman In
t.rferes with the effect that on account
of his Influence the Objectionable person
is allowed TO land. The Commissioner
f.e,7cral is prepared to show the COM
1;,ittee BY official statistics that such
n.rsCns soon become q charge upon ths
public. -,E>
The congressman are HiteIes.:u. -
course. by certain OF their CONSTITUENTS
y,ho arc rela rives or friends Of the mer
rvho have been refused admission to the
f--ited States. The reasons given By
~. corcressmer. as a rule, for admitting
tbe objectionable individuals is that the
viii he taken care CT by friends,
and trat il will very much please them
selves E(the conSrcss-nen> II it. can pc
arranged to have the persons LANDED.
Such mans are frequently eHectl!e. 70
thc great displeasure of such men III ms
immigration Bureau as are ANXIOUS 70
have the laws enforced.
1issioner-General Sargent mas al
ready be,fn present It hearing OF the
rorn,.ittee on Immigration. but mas 50
f,r been given no opportunity to mako
i,;e statemsnt lie will rot do SO III any
aTasiva Iercuace thare is reason to be-
I;ave but viii go directly to the point.
,,,1 tell the. cOuntry,s teslsia'ors
wherein their brother legislators nave
heen !, serious drawback 70 the enforce
men Of the law:
upop the pending immigration n!il car
not be predicted at the present time.
3. No.