The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-22
The Immigration Laws.

T. !.
During tho rate war now raging Pc
tween steamship companies immigrants
can obtain passage from several lIn slisn
and Scottish ports to New York for $40,
where formerly they paid 500. IA press dis
patch from New York says that hccord-
Ing to, the officials at Ellis Island thescut-
rate has brought in an unusually large
proportion Of undeslrables q total Of
PAS out Of 1856 having been already or
dered deported. Some $50 wcro held Win
the detention pen on June 14th. waiting
final decision OH their cases. and ,64i
have been detained for various reasons. /:
In commenting Oh this state OF Y affairs q airs.
the New York Evening Post points out
that the immigration laws provide q n
adequate protection against the gimporta-5
ton @of undcslrabes. These laws We're
re enacted year ago, and amended III
various particulars,
Under the new statute" says the Eve
Ming Post, practically all the objec-l
tionable aliens said to be tempted by the
reduced storage rates may be excluded,
and tho responsibilities Of the steam-
shin companies increased. 1t groups OBJ
jectonable immigrants under three
heads--the physically and mentally de-
ficent, the hopelessly poor and the
morally depraved. It thus excludes all
idiots, epileptics and insane persons; all
persons who have been insane for five
years or who have had two attacks Of
insanity at any time. II likewise pro-
So all ALT 81, Say.
ing from loathsome or contagious dis
eases. Under the second head come
professional beggars, absolute paupers.
and all who are likely to become public
charges. Polygamists. anarchists-of
philosophical or mountaineering variety
prostitutes. procurcrs and persons who
have been convicted of crimes involv-
ing moral turpitude are In the third
class. In addition. there is the con-
tract laborcr, with the understanding
Chinaman. The law of 1909 also requires
Increased vigilance by steamship COM
panies. They are forbidden to advertise,
except in the most perfunctory way; and
are made subject to fine of $1,000 for
every illegal Immigrant they attempt to
land. They are required to mako out
complete manlfests OF all passengers, and
answer a multitude of questions concern
lIs5 ljci PlJSISdis dIIu llUdICldi
status. They must themselves deport all
rejected immigrants, paying the expense
of their maintenance while here. And the
period during which they may be called
upon to return landed Immigrants who
become paupers Is Increased from one to
two years
The Evening Post also calls attention
TO the report of Mr.. Marcus Braun. who
was sent last summer by the government
TO southeastern Europe to investigate the
workings of the new law. He reported
that the steamship companies We're doing
everything in their power to improve the
quality of immigrants. and that the
foreign governments. especially Austro-
Hungary and Italy, We're heartily co..
10 alluring, literature, and Mr.. Braun
the Interesting fact that the
italian government does everything 1t |
can to keep undesirable immigrants away |
from America, because 1t Ia In constant
fear that the United States may pass
laws against italian immigration, which |
would be a, serious thing for Italy as
whole towns In the southern part are
supported mainly by remittances from
America.
1t would appear from the above sum
mary that II the immigration laws were
rigidly enforced. there need bs no fear
If an influx of undeslrables on account
IF the rate war. But the laws ought to
30 risidly enforced The United States
welcomes all desirable immigrants, but it
loes not want pauners and criminals.