The Nome nugget., 1902-04-12
IMMIGRATION IN THE YEAR 1900.


 Immigration Commissioner T. V. Powderlv's port, issued in November last shows that the tctal secrage arrivals numbered 4S7,91S being increase of 39,246, approximately nine per cent over the arrivals of the previous year. In addition to the seerage immigrants there were during the year A. 950 alien cabin passengers who entered the country making the total for the year 562, s6S.
 A study of the report shows something in the of improvement but still there remains good deal that is far from satisfactory One of the gratifying features is the announcement that the character of the immigration is much hi gher than it has been in recent years Thus the number of intending immi- grants who rejected considerably less than last year, notwithstanding the increase in the total number who arrived On the other hand, it Is noted that among the persons admitted there IF ,5S7 who could hether read nor write and their general poverty was such that 29 S6O had less than $50 each on their arrival.
 The classification of the immigrants 10 and nationality shows that there arrived from Italy l35996 from Austra-Hungary 1900, from Russia S5,257 from Ireland 30 561, from Sweden 23 33l from Germany 2i 665, from Norway IF 24S and from Great Britain l2,2l4. The ma orty of the immigrants gave as their destination the states of Illinois, Massachu setts, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Com paratively few were going to the South or coming the far West Most of them were going to districts where they had relatives or friends already estab lished.
 The fact that large proportion of the new corners had less than $50 each is a proof of the lov erty from which they have sought escape and also of the low standard of living to which they have been accustomed. Many of them indeed, have been almost forced to cmigrate from their former homes by the pressure of taxation upon the scant revenues derived from their profits wages. American influences wi the strain upon the labor market is certain to be severe in some communities
 Discussing the relation of immigration to the labor market and the general welfare of the country, the commissioner says:
 ITO deal with tho problem successfully, it seems indispensable to remove far as possble those ditons which conflict with the incorporation of the alien element into the social system of the country. so that by actual experience the former may learn possible that the basis and foundation of the American polity respect and affection for and willing obedience to the laws and customs of the land, because the maintenance of those laws is the best safeguard of individual liberty It it therefore, recommended that congress enact suitable legislation. either with if necessary without the operation of the states, for the purpose of distributing the alien population with some reference to the industrial law of supply and demand"
 It is probable the proposed legislation would prove advantageous to all concerned It is at any rate one of the recommendations which merit consideration when the whole subject of immigration law is taken up for revision, and that is task which ought to be attended 10 promptly.