The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-29
DENLY AIDS THE JEW
Secures Important Amendment to I'm.
migration Law.
IGNORANCE TO BE NO BAR
Lack Of Knowledge VIII Not Prevent
Prosecuted Refugees From Entrance
Into United States in Future-Mich.
lsan's Congressman Responsible.

Washington, June 26.-Jewish. po-
litical refugees from Russia are not
to be cut off from entrance to this
country by reason of illiteracy, and
Congressman DENLY is the man who
fixed it. When the immigration bill
came up In the house Monday after.
noon, he offered an amendment to the
effect that:
I'm case of an immigrant who
proves that he is seeking admission
to this country solely to- avoid relig
icus persecution or punishment on
religious or political grounds, or for
an offense of a political character, or
persecution involving danger of i'm
prisonment or danger to life ,or limb,
on account of religious belief, such
immigrant may be admitted, although
unable to satisfy the educational test
provided in this section, at the dis
erection of the secretary of commerce
and labor, or under such regulations
as he may from time to time pre-
scribe"
RattIing Speech.
In support of the amendment Mr..
DENLY made a rafting speech, in
which he said, among other things:
II thoroughly and earnestly believe
in the educational test provided in this
bill, because it will restrict a tide of
immigration which / think must soon
be restricted for the welfare of the
American nation. 1t is, therefore, as
a friend of the, bill that 1 offer this
amendment.
while do not believe that large
percentage of the immigrants who
come here from Europe now, come as
did our forefathers, to find here what
they lost-freedom to worship Col.
yet It is unfortunately still true that
many forms of oppression exist in
Europe today.
"And think no harm can be done
by maintaining the noble practice that
has so long prevailed in the United
States of offering a welcome to those
who flee from intolerance in other
lands
Proof Must Be Had.
"The amendment is carefully guard.
ed 1t will be noticed that the section
provides that the amendment must
prove that he comes here solely to
avoid religious persecution involving
danger to life or limb. 1t is not left
with the bare statement, but proof
must be made.
1T will be noticed also that the
matter of admission or non-admission
of any immigrant claiming the exemp.
tons of this amendment, is left with
the discretion of the secretary of
commerce and labor, or, II he does
not care to exercise the discretion.
then under such regulations as he,
may prescribe AS a friend
Of the provision providing for an ed
ucational test, l. hope there will be
no opposition"
tbs Wcantn9s
II would like to ask the gentleman
! question" said Mr.. Mahon of Penn.
'ylvania. What do you mean by po-
itical persecution? That is a pretty
broad term. Suppose a political party
n France tried to destroy the govern.
nent, and because of that the govern.
nent would drive them out and from
hat cause they would come to this
THE moment political offense IN.
'olves moral tprpitude, or the moment
t becomes anything which infringes
Upon the rights of other individuals
% the extent Of doing harm which
would be against the laws of our coun-
ry," replied DENLY, that moment II
leases to be political offense in the
,urview of international law"
The amendment was then adopted.
The immigration bill passed without
! yea and nay vote being permitted |
IN any OF the paragraphs