The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-09-24
Paper Read Before the Chautauqua Circle.

FupCT H6UU bGJOfE tlG CHQUJUuqllU C1TCl6.
THE question of foreign inmi-
grafton, or rather, the ques-
tion 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 impartiaIly 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-
tion 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 a comparatively limited residence
in this country, beside the freeborn
American who had resided here a full
twenty-one years or more. We could
not help but stop and ask ourselves,
where was the end to be, and the quas-
tion 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.
It is not my intention to attempt to
treat this matter in its 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 to
the contrary from members of this cir
Gle, will say that 1 am personally,
most decidedly in favor of a more re-
stricted immigration law than we now
possess. I firmly believe that the ulti-
mate solution of this question will be
founded on law more restricted in it's
character than our present one, with the
restrictions placed on an educational
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 he
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.
I believe our present law approves
of the admission of all foreigners, with
the exception of the Chinese, who pass
the required physical examination, pro-
vided they are able to earn livelihood
as common laborers, and possess
certain amount of cash. This amount
believe is in the neighborhood of $35
for each head of family. The possess
sion of this sum simply serves as a
guarantee that they will not, at least
Immediately, become a public charge.
Until recently the immigrants almost
invariably had friends or relatives
who at once assisted them to procure
employment at living wages. Recently
the immigration bureaus and agents of
the big steamship companies, knowing
there was soon to be more stringent
regulations enforced with reference to
the admission of foreigners, have been
landing less desirable class of immi-
grants-less desirable, from the fact
that while they possessed the required