The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-09-24

Paper Read Before the Chaotauqua Circle.
TIME question of foreign iEmi-
grafton, or rather, the ques-
ton of its solution is one
which will soon confront us;
and while at present it is to some of
us of absorbing interest, the time is
not far distant when the ability OF our
lawmakers, and others interested in
solving questions of great public i'm
pertance, will be taxed to their utmost to
devise measure to counteract the many
evils of our present legislation, and
yet enact law which will justly, hon
estly and impartially provide solution
which will be satisfactory to the citi-
zens of our land.
In the deliberations of our legislators
the well-being of our own citizens,
present and future, must be consider
ed first, for in this instance we truly
give more than we receive. The ques-
ton is one of vital interest to us all,
but few if any have studied it pro
and con. Possibly the only forcible
reminder we have had of this growing
evil was when at election time we no.
ticed the almost palpably ignorant for
eigner exercising his right of franchise
after comparatively limited residence
in this country, beside the freeborn
American who had resided here full
twenty-one years or more. We could
not help but stop and ask ourselves,
where was the end to be, and the quas-
ton at once arose in our own minds as
to whether or not the average schoolboy
of ten was not better qualified mentally
to pass upon the questions which the
foreigner was then deciding with the
ballot.
The wisdom used in the solution of
this question will affect us and our pos
terity, politically, morally and socially
much more than we can at present fore
see.
1t is not my intention to attempt to
treat this matter in it's entirety, for
that is beyond my ability, but 1 desire
to point out what believe will be the
basis on which the solution of this
great question will ultimately be
founded.
In the beginning, and despite the
many able arguments have heard tc
the contrary from members of this cir
Gle, will say that I am personally
most decidedly in favor of more re
stricted immigration law than we now
possess. I firmly believe that the ulti
mate solution of this question will bt
founded on law more restricted in it,
character than our present one, with thu
restrictions placed on an educationa
basis, demanding of the foreign appli
cant for admission, through the medium
of an examination, the absolute assur
ance that he is not illiterate, and that h.
has some small knowledge of the funda
mental principles of our government
and the ability to understand and ap
preciate to small extent, the work
ings of the greatest and grandest gov
eminent on the face of the earth.
l believe our present law approve
of the admission of all foreigners, wit
the exception of the Chinese, who pas
the required physical examination, pre-
vided they are able to earn livelihoo
as common laborers, and possess
certain amount of cash. This amour
believe is in the neighborhood of So
for each head of a family. The posses
sion of this sum simply serves as
guarantee that they will not, at leas
Immediately, become public charge.
Until recently the immigrants almos
invariably had friends or relative
who at once assisted them to procur
employment at living wages. Recent
the immigration bureaus and agents {
the big steamship companies, KNOWN
there was soon to be more stringer
regulations enforced with reference
the admission of foreigners, have bee
landing less desirable class of hmm
grants-less desirable, from the fa'
that while they possessed the require