The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-05
IMMIGRATION AND EDUCATION

That the United States is now receiv-
ing considerable and increasing num-
ber OF undesirable immigrants is gencr-
ally conceded, says the New York Times.
That this class OF immigration should
I'm some effective manner be restricted
is unquestionably the general senti-
ment OF the country without distinction
Of class. That the restriction can, on
the whole, best be made by means OF
n test of the education of arriving i'm
migrants is the opinion of those who
have given TO the subject the most care
full study. With that opinion we cord
tally agree.
Since 1878 the total immigra ton into
the United States has more than doubled.
IN that year II was 229. 300, and last year
IL was 4s7s7s. according tn the figures
compiled from official sources by the I'm
migration Restriction League. The char
acter OF the immigration has steadily
changed. and IL has not changed for the
better. without any prejudice, express
or implied against one race or in favor
Of another. IL Is clear from experience
that the immigrants coming 20 us from
the east OF Europe and from Southern
and are likely To be more of burden
than those coming from the races OF
Western Europe, the British Isles. Ger
many. France, and Scandinavia The
former are coming In larger numbers
and the latter In smaller numbers. In
1898 the proportion of immigrants from
Austria Hungary. Italy, Poland, and
Russia was 81 per cent, In 1901 ii was
nearly GO per cent In the meantime
h, 81 th. 49,,
countries mentioned had fallen from 30
per cent 10 22.5 per cent Nor is this
change a recent one. In 1880 the relations
or the two bodies OF immigrants were
almost exactly reversed. Eastern Europe
contributed only "a per cent, and vest
ern Europe nearly IS per cont. Ten years
earlier the preponderance Of the western
immigration was far more marked. II
Is plain. then, that the tendency of east
ern immigration TO increase and OF west
ern 10 dwindle IL very strong, has con-
tinued for many years, and Is reasonably
sure to go on indefinitely.
Restriction by test excluding Hitter
ates would act chiefly on the classes re-
ferred to. During the last three fiscal
years the percentage of those who could
not read and write their own language
was. among the immigrants of western
Europe, 3.6 per cent, ~ per cent, and
Sc per cent. The percentage among the
immigrants from eastern Europe In the
same three years was 3.6 per cent. 3s. 4
per cent and 49, per cent. These are very
serious figures. They indicate plainly
enough the effect that an educational test
would have.
Such a test in itself cannot we think,
he regarded as ali unreasonable precaution
10 enforce for the protection OF the social
and political life OF the nation. We do
not nt all believe that nll iliterates are
sure TO make bad citizens, or even poor
citizens. They may be honest, orderly.
industrious, of clean morals, faithful to
the obligations OF family and they may
breed excellent children who will not b.
allowed to grow UP rs illitcrate "a their
parents But II will be conceded that
these. according TO all experience, would
be exceptional cases. Statistics show
that commitments TO penal institutions
for offences other than lntoxication arc
greatest In number for those foreign-born
peoples who are also the most ilitcratc.
And this, Of course, agrees with general
observation. III there were not this con-
vincing fact 10 weigh, II still romans true
that this Is government by public
opinion. and that the Immigrant who can
not read Is likely In the first INSTANCE Ia
be ignorant az to AFFAIRS and preiudiced,
and afterwsrd will with great difficulty
get rid Of his proJudices. He will necCs-
sarily remain n foreign and unassmilatcd
element I'm the community. He will be
resistant to the influences that surround
him, and especially 10 the better i'm
nuenccs IL is, indeed, almost q self.
evident truth that our nation has right
and is morally obliged. TO demand from
those seeking homes among us that they
shall be able AZ least 20 inform themselves
I'm some language of what Is going on
about them.
The bill proposed by the Immigration
Restriction league IS very simple. It,
main provision excludes all per.
sons over Is years OF agc and
physically capable of reading. who can
not read the English language or some
other language. But an admissible I'm
migrant or \ person now I'm or hereafter
admitted 10 this country may bring I'm oT
send for his wife. his children under Il
years OF age. and his parents or grand.
parents over 81 years OF age, II they are
otherwise admissible, whether they are
so able 60 read or not
Tho chief advantage of this par, ,lculll
Test 81. in the matter of application. that u
would be applied hy the steamship com.
paLies al tho place ~ purChas> ct thc
ticket. since those who failed to stand
the test would be sent home az the oX.
pcnse ~ the company. II therefore adds
practically nothing 10 tho cost or risk,
of administration and serves its purpose
directly. simply. and effectively And n
will have really benchcent influence ir
PROMOTING the educa tion of those intend.
ms 80 iulmirrate. n A.. I'm our judgment
4 the lenstfhet this country should demand
| IN .he way Of preparation for We h
America.