Smyrna times., 1903-04-29

AMONG the numerous problems that |
thoughtful citizens are obliged to con-
slider. if not to solve, that of immlgra-
tion is by no means the least OF i'm
portant, says a New York exchange.
To Northern people it may even be
more important than the Negro prob,
lem. which does not force itself upon
us so directly as upon the Southern
people.
The number arriving during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1902, was
648, TAB, the largest since 1882, when
the number was 7SS, 992. This year the
total will probably exceed that of last
year and may equal that of 1882.
Under the efficient and energetic man
asement of the present Commissioner
of immigration, the percentage OF un-
desirable immigrants has been reduc-
ed. The steamship companies have
heretofore been somewhat lndlscrlml-
nate in their acceptance OF steerage
passengers. Now they are more care
full and are therefore not obliged. as
often as formerly, to bear the ex-
senses incident to the detention and
deportation of immigrants.
The increase in the immigration OF
italians in recent years is particularly
noticeable. 1t has been stated thai
during the so years ended with 1890
392 900 Italians immigrated to thii
country, while during the three year,
ended June 80, 1902, 414,000 entered
our ports-22, 900 more in three year
than in the half century from 1910
as9O. It is estimated that about 200,
900 will be the number for the yea
ending June 30, 1903.
When we consider the circumstance
IN which italian labOrers are COZ
demned to pass their lives, especial
in the southern provinces of Italy,
IS not surprising that so many thoI
sands seek homes and employment
this country in the hope of improvln
their condition. Their habitations
their native villages are squalid; the
Iabors are continuous, aud their wag
are pitifully small.
If they receive % or % cents di
for their work they are doing we
from the italian point Of view. He
many of them can count on $1.50 da
Their daily expenses IN this count
are somewhat higher than in Ital
but with their extreme parsimony a
thriftiness, they manage to save me-
of their earnings. AS unskilled labC
ers the Italians are entitled to co
znendation.
The question for students and pl
licists to consider is, what will be
effects upon the population and vi
the National life of the introduction
so many iIliterate Italian laborers il
the country? Some of them-w
percentage we do not knOw-returI
Italy; but most of them remain he
Their descendants will be citize
Can they be properly and advants
ously assimilate1? The same quest
nav be asked about the Hungaria
uauians. POlGcks, SlOvaks
y.4ers Already the percentage
foreign born citizens, with the C
dren Of foreign-born parents, is '
large. The commingling of so m
strange and alien elements will
dnce recognizable results in the
public of the future.
The question OF naturalizaf
should also receive attention. A I
dence of FIVE years is not a suffiC
qualification for the right of suffr
The majority of the illiterate and
skilled laborers who are sur
ecross Ellis Island nearly every
cannot, IN five years, become yer
aelligent citizens. They may
compare unfavorably, however,
some of the descendants of the
New York families who are disg
fully ignorant of political affairs
are less useful members of the
snunity than the poor toiling l
-roufa