The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-23
IMMIGRATION BILL DEBATE.
Several Amendments Adopted by the
HOuse-An Educational Test.

WASHINGTON, May 22.-The House to-
day resumed discussion of the immigration
bill. Almost the entire day was taken up
with the amendment offered by Mr. I'm
derwood, of Alabama, requiring an educa-
tional test for immigrants to this country
1t was adopted. The provision in the bill
for tax of $50 on each passenger not a
citizen of the United States or the Domin-
ion of Canada or Mexico gave rise to some
discussion.
Mr.. Hepburn said years age immigrants
were largely confined 10 Great Britain
Germany and northern portions of Europe
and that they were welcome. Now, how
ever, immigration comes in large degree
from the eastern and southern quarters of
Europe, and these immigrants are not de-
sirable additions TO our population. Five
years from now, said Mr.. Hepburn, these
people will be voters. II do not want the
voting power of the United States diluted
in that way"
Mr.. Powers, of Maine, offered an amend
ment, which was agreed to, >exempting
citizens of Cuba, as in the case of Canada
and Mexico. from the payment of the tax
An amendment by Mr.. Shattuc was
agreed to, which includes within the tax
provisions passengers coming to the United
States by any railway any other mode
of transportation from foreign contiguous
territory to the United States.
Another amendment was adopted ex-
tending the exclusion provision TO those
aliens who have been, within one year
from the date of the application for admis-
sion to the United States, deported as be-
ing under offers solicitations, promises or
agreements to perform labor or service of
some kind therein.
An amendment by Mr. Rucker. of Mis-
souri,, was adopted providing that the pro-
visions of law applicable TO contract labor
shall not be held TO exclude professional
actors, artists, lecturers, singers, ministers
of any religious denomination, professors
of colleges or seminaries, persons belong
ing to any recognized learned profession or
persons employed strictly as personal or
domestic servants.
Mr. Shattuc made a point of order
against an amendment by Mr.. Underwood,
of Alabama, embodying an educational
| test for immigrants, which the chair over
ruled.
Mr.. Underwood then urged the necessity
| for the adoption of such a provision. in
sisting that the steamship companies would
see to il that the passengers could pass the
test If they knew they would have to carry
them back unless they could.
Mr.. Shattuc and Mr.. Kleberg opposed
| the amendment. Mr.. Shattuc charged that
a certain element in the House in years
gone by had persisted in hurting immi-
grafton legislation by offering amendments
providing educational tests. He then sent
to the desk an amendment to that of Mr..
| Underwood's which. he said. would get
make the rule applicable at the places il
was desired to touch. 1t provides that all
! persons, whether able TO read the English
language or some other language, or not
! able TO do so, who shall enter the United
! States except at the seaports thereof or at
Nanceboro, Me-; Newport or St Adams,
/ Vt; Plattsburg, Niagara Falls or Buffalo,
y. Y; Detroit or Sault Ste Marie. Mich:
Pembina, n. D.; Sumas, Wash; Laredo,
| Ell Paso or Eagle Pass, Tex, or Nogales,
Ariz., shall be adjudged to have entered the
country unlawfully and shall be deported
| as by law provided. After a long discus
| sion the Shattuc amendment was adopted
and the Underwood amendment amend
| ed was also adopted. The bill then was laid
| aside until next week.
The following bills were passed: To es-
! tablish lfe-saving station on Monomoy
/ Island, Massachusetts; to authorize the con-
| struction Of a bridge across the Savannah
river from Aiken county, South Carolina
/ TO Richmond county, Georgia.
The House disagreed TO the amendments
/ OF the Senate TO the omnibus public build
/ Ing bill and IL was sent TO conference.
An amendment TO the rules was adopted
| requiring that conference reports should be
/ printed in the Congressional Record before
! being presented 10 the House.