The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-19
COMMITTEES BUSY
Work Of the Trans-M ississippi Con,
gress at Seattle Well
Under Way.
Grade With the Orient" and Sew.
eral Timely Topics Were Dis
cussed To-day.

Seattle, Wash. Aug. 19.-The Trans
Mississippi congress listened this morn
ing to an address by Edward F. Harris on
THE Port Of Galyeston-Child Of the
Trans Mississippi Congress-
Major John Mills, engineer corps, U.
S. a., spoke on 1.-THE Navigable Water
ways in the State of Washington" John:
Bassett, minister to Argentine, and re-
Gently commissioner general to Asia for
the Louisiana purchase exposition, dis.
cussed 1.-THE st. Louis Worlds Fair and
Its Relation to Mississippi Trade
with the Orient
A Voice from the South.
Tom Richardson, manager Of the New
Orleans Progressive union, spoke on "Im-,
migration and Its Distribution"
THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM.
Mr.. Tom Richardson said, in part
The question of migration into the United
States is one which has gradually been be-
coming more acute during the past decade,
and which will continue TO augment In i'm
portance and significance as the time pro-
dresses.
While, of course. very large proportion Of
the immigration which has yearly been COM
Ing. into this country thru the Atlantic ano
1t is unfortunately the fact that our pos
sessions have been made the dumping
ground" Of Europe, and the transportation Of
aid, not because Of a particular desire to
assist In the upbuilding of American citizen
countries and provinces of the OLD world OF =
class which contributed but to the evil ana
villainy of the countries out Of which they
Fortunately, the United States with it's
magnificent domain and possibilities for
amalganation, has been but! little hurt thru
the causes mentioned, but I am strongly op-
posed to an unrestricted immigration. The
scum Of Europe must not be dumped into the
circulation, Of our large cities, If it should
be 1ecoived at all: The degenerate may con-
become fair American citizens. The MUIR
derer, the thief. or the social outcast should
DO given back to the country which gave him
birth, but the immigrant; in all cases, SO
long as he or size be in health. should be
given the benefit Of possible doubt, The gov
ernment. however. should not lose sight OF
| the immigrants Immediately upon having per-
mftted their entrance into this country. 1t
should be demanded that they be taken from
the large, cities, where, in a number OF in
stances, they. add to the undesirable. portion
Of their population, creating additional de-
mands for charity and public benefactions,
ana existing with what energy or Drawn "
tie better than the one they left
The, great west cen furnish homes for mill
ions of people, and it is into the great trans
Mississippi country which is crying with open
arms for the agriculturist and the artisans
that the migrant should be taken, there to
work out his material redemption and become
an honest, prosperous member OF the body
polite. - = s.. "a 5Eszs.s Is ( :
In MY opinion the trans Mississippi com,
mercial congress should adopt .someegresolu-
much more acute restriction in the, matter
OF foreign immigration. While certain re-
strlctiens at present prevail, not two per
cent OF the aliens for admittance at various
sea ports are returned to their homo coun-
| try because of a failure to come within the
| standard of the United States government.
These standards are too low and should be
altered or amended so as to take into CON.
s1deration elements not now Included: in the
custom house examination, I believe the
come SO apparent to the people of the United
States that there Will shortly eva. combined
navenient on the part Of American citizenship
| to close the doors which are now adn3ittin g
| everybody who knocks without