Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-13
'PEANs, FOR FALLEN HORDE,
Sarsent's Scheme for Ellis Island I'm
provements.

Washington, Sept. 12.-Less immigra-
ton and q much higher class of immi-
grants are the two most important
features Of Commissioner Sargent's re-
view of the work of his bureau for the
last fiscal year, and his chief recon-
mendation to be urged this winter on
Congress is for improvements at the
Ellis Island gateway.
Year before last, when the high tide
Of immigration to the United States
was reached, nearly one million aliens
reaching these shores in those twelve
months. the average of education and
other desirable attainments possessed
by the immigrants was about as low
as could be legally passed by the i'm
migration officials.
The newcomers consisted Of Poles,
AuStrO-HungarianS and Italians, and
the majority of them remained in the
large cities. At the same time it was
noted that these immigrants were
mostly extremely illiterate and disin-
clined to adopt the habits of the ma
tive American. Many of them came
from countries where they had been
prosecuted by the public officials. and
had, therefore. a hatred for the police,
considering them their natural enc
mics.
This enmity 1t was found difficult to
eradicate, and the consequence was
that an undesirable class of immigrants
was thrust upon the great cities. which
were forced to accept them. The class
coming In the year ended June 80, 1904,
was OF a much higher order, the pro-
portion of English, German, Swedes,
NorWeglans and kindred natiOnalities
having largely increased. AS 4 rule,
THESE people desire to migrate to the
west, there taking up land when they
can and settling down to an agricul-
tural life.
what has been considered by Com
missioner General Sargent the most
important point in his annual report
Is the recommendation to Congress for
legislation for the erection of certain
buildings at Ellis Island. New York.
and at perhaps one or two other i'm
migration stations. for the use of the
several States in disseminating infor-
nation regarding their attractions for
settlers.
This recommendation has been re-
peatedly made by every Commissioner
General since it was first called to the
attention of Congress by Herman
Stump, In the administration of Presi-
dent Cleveland. 1t was repeated by
Powderly and reiterated by Sargent
Nothing has been done by Congress
with the recommendation, and it is be-
lieved at the Bureau of immigration
that the question of distribution of the
immigrants will not be satisfactorily
settled until proper action has been
taken along the lines suggested
The plan is to invite the several
States to make use of the buildings
that may be erected by the govern
ment, filling them with all manner of
information concerning the territory
covered by each commonwealth, having
officials in charge, maps, scales of
wages, lands for sale or open to set
Element and any other features that
may be calculated to induce the i'm
to go into the country and
there begin his career as an American
by adoption.
Many of the States are DESTROYS Of
large influxes of immigration and are
waiting for just such an opportunity
to invite the right class of people to
come to them and make their homes. |
is this SO of the South. |
the sluggishness of the DEVELOPMENT |
OF the natural resources of that great |
territory being entirely due to a lack
of proper labor for the work.