The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-05

service in reducing the number of arri- @ls. although 1t will strengthen the au- thority of the Commissioner of Immigra- tion in shutting out those who are pro- hibited from entering our ports. The number of arrivals this year is larger than. ever. Last month the total was 47.261, as against 36,76S for the correspond ing month of 1902 264S3 for 1901, 22,I9l for l9UO and 14.47S for 1899.
 During the eight months of the current fiscal year the total arrivals have been 2.S59. against 323 09S during the cor responding period of l90l,2. The four months yet remaining of the fiscal year (March, April May and June) always sec the largest number of arrivals. which last year amounted to 355. .656 and it will be undoubtedly very much greater during the current year, and the ratio of increase during the last eight months win un- tioubtcdly be continued, which will bring the total for the year up nearly to L0Oo.- GOO.
 During the last ten years 5.6sL2i3 for eigners have been added to the population of this country by immigration, and at the present rate of increase the number of arrivals during the census decade be- tween 1900 and 1910 will exceed 5,V00. 900. All efforts to raise barrier by estab- fishing a standard of education, inteiii- gence or property havc failed in Con- Eress. They were defeated by the agents of the steamship companies and the rep resentatives of the societies of foreign born citizens throughout the United States which threatened political retail iation against members of Congress who voted to debar members of their race from enjoying the blessings of this coun- try. However. the new law shuts out three classes of undesirable foreigners who have not been debarred-epiieptics prostitues and anarchists. The provision against the admission of anarchists is not only severe. but will be strictly enforced so far as possible. Every foreigner who A. ara1r D. that he does not belong to any organiza- ton which advocates the removal of kings or the destruction of society or resistance to authority. and that he does not be- lieve in such things, and any one who makes this oath and is afterward found to he nanarchist in sediment may be fined 5000 and imprisoned for five years.
 The head tax upon immigrants has been raised from H to g, and the revenue from that source during the current year will far toward the support of the immigra- ton service.
 Thousands of home seekers are doomed to disappointment when they learn the character of the public land which is to be thrown open for settlement in South ern California during the next six months. The proclamation will be issued very shortly, and all the formalities will. be completed by the first of June, when near- ly 100000 acres will be subject to settle ment under the homestead. desert land. timber and mineral acts. This land is all located in Kern and San Bernardino cOuu- ties California, on the line of the Santa Fe Railroad. between The Needles and Mojave. It is a part of the land grants made by act of Congress July l. 1866 to the Atlantic and Pacific and the Southern Pacific railroads, but is not of much val ue. It Is the most undesirable part of California, and very little of 1t would ever be productive even if 1t could be ir- rlgated. That lying nearest the Colorado river may be reached by water, but much of 1t is below the sea level and hopeless desert. Its value may be appreciated when it is stated that the alternate sec. tons of government land in the same area which have always been open for settle | ment. still remains part of the publlC domain