The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-22
AN INVOICE on INNIoRANrs.
plan for the Certincati0n OF the Chars cter
AMI History OF ImmIgrants.

To The EpIToR oY TIE SIN Sir worked
out a plan Tor obtaining accurate informa-
ton and records OF immigrants during my
incumbency as United states Consul AT Berne'
an outline OF witch give. In its operation
it would not only cause u material reduction
of immigration but also provide for the ad-
mission Of the desirable and the exclusion OF
the undesirable elements. even before om-
barkation.
An importer OF foreign merchandise must
furnish an invoice certified as to its cor
rectness by the United states Consul IN
tho country from which tho goods are sold.
without such a certified invoice, no dead
freight may enter the United states With
live freight, IL ! may thus style the inn
m grant. what is the procedure?
After the rather superficial physical e1amina-
ton that takes place in most foreign ports,
tho steamship companies gather all who can
provide the price or passage and dump them
on our shores. Included in this hetero-
geneous herd Of aliens are oriminaily inclined,
vicious immoral and offensive persons. num-
bers OF assisted emigrants and hundreds OF
Objectionable men and women. the rejection
OF whom is now impossible because know
ledge as TO their previous life and present
moral status Is not obtainable
propose. therefore. tnat the immi grant be
required TO furnish a certificate or character
a species OF moral invoice made out by the
authorities OF the place he calls hls home IN
every Continental European country neither
citizens nor foreigners are permitted to oo-
cupy a domicile unless provided with pa
pers.- The registry system ts everywhere
In vogue. At the birth of a child his name
and that OF his parents is entered In the
oHloial register he "a given book and page
number; he Ia tagged In much ne sane man An
post his certificate. and apply Tor II wnsn
leaving the town; he must turn II over 70 ne
pGoe Upon \. taking , SSm ae l. R
when he becomes a father entry IS made
accordingly and the children In Their turn are
Is duly made Of the occurrence 70, IN his pa,
pers,- He can be traced at all times; ne -
Is looked upon with suspicion. ls not per
nlitted TO reside In any fixed place. ana y
forwarded to the police OF tho country claimed
Bong provided with papers. y would be
no hardship for the emigrant 10 furnish for
the United States Inspectors a certineate oil
Inspectors Of emgrants should be sta-
toned az foreign ports in connection with
f5 Se a. has
already granted to the Commissioner-Gen-
eral OF immigration permission 70 assign
Armed with the certificate of character.
the emigrant is identified at the port OF de-
parture through the conscientious perform.
no valid excuse that could be made by an
emf grant for NEGLECT to furnish the certihoste.
Tho cost would be minimum; substitution
be accomplished only by collision with the
authorities--a most remote contingency.
False or forged certificates would be equally
impossible 10 obtain because the system OF
certincation provides that the communal.
or primary 81 Vnature be certified BY tho
district authorities and these bv the United
States Consul in whose jurisdiction the dis
trict ia situnte1
The United States. In recurring such GER
tincate would be demanding no more from
Immigrants to It's shores than the European
countries TINT compel American citizens who
do not reside in hotels to furnish passports.
Criminala and otherwise immoral persons.
would ind II impossible. on account OF the
above mentioned registry system, to provide
a clean bill OF moral health.
A law founded unon this plan. coupled
with a stricter medical examination. en-
foroe1 Nv suitable tnSrectors acquainted
with to Fir-pcap lrroIaFes pnd vide awake
for anarchists would not only result IN a fs-
citei cheek 10 mmigrqtion, but would also
provide for It's 1rm control
A /. FpHNEFNTRAT.
IRte = 8 Consul At Barne. Switzerland.
NEW YORK. Jan ~