New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
JOHN e. RAYBURN.
AGAINST LITERARY TEST
Nathan Bijur on Immigration Re
StICtiOn Bill.

Nathan Blur who recently spoke before the I'M
migration Restriction League at Boston and de-
hated the Dillingham; bill with Representative o.
w. Underwood. OF Alabama. and Prescott s. Hall,
has sent the following argument against the litter
ary requirement Of the measure to Senator Dill
inghami
j am Informed that an effort is being made to Sc
House. on the enactment OF a literary requirement.
foT the admission of an immigrant TO this country
in the past las been the desiTabiiity Of Gterate
law at the last session Of Congress. prescribing
ability 10 speak the English language a pre-
expression TO the viii or the country on, this sub
Congress desires.
II seems to be universally conceded that our
country is in great need OF persons capable of
manual labor. I4teracy certainly can have no
sumption Is that the unskiiied aborer is the litter
as one Who competeS undUlv With native Skilled
labor must admit that the terac- test is not likely
knowledge that thoussnds Of honest spdv and i'm
teligent natives of many European countries are
HIHerate. due solely To the lack of educational
dence. The fact is well known to every person
having experience with this class of immigrants
Iamarity With our language to overcome their
The consideration. however. which more com
pletely disposes OF any objection 10 them ad-
the census OF f@j. showing that Of white children
of those e horn @ ana a,a q per cent
attending school. and only Is per cent Of those
born of native parents Again, YOU will find. Rt
page los OF the second volume OF the Census OF
1850, that of native white persons of ten years of
age and over born Of native parents % per cent
were illiterate while of native whites Of the
ages born OF foreign parents only LS per cent
i!terate.
It could not even be claimed that the lteracy
test would exclude the wicked dangerous These
ale, indeed, more likely TO be lherate than
other persons.
1t is not proposed far I aware.
70 make exception In favor OF refugees from
political religious persecution; that the
actment Of this law would only be.
pointed out by President Cleveland, anomaly
would arbitrarily exclude those classes which II
has been traditional policy 20 welcome and
protect. il would be reputation OF the genius
of institutions and source OF positive cru
city.
I cannot refrain from expressing the opinion
that the advocates OF restriction finding that they
have been beaten at all points in the open discus
sion OF their contention, are eudeavOring
last OF restriction
they have failed secure II by direction.
Economists. pubiCists and students Of the sub
ject now earnestly advocating the appoint
ment OF commission 10 investigate tho subject
Of immigration thoroughly and impartially. and
to report its findings 10 Congress This investlga-
tion would include not only the results OF the I'm
migration upon our coUntry's condition and prog
ress but also proper methods Of safeguarding and
guiding the immigrant who comes to us. IL would
wholesome q movement is under way. the con-
cluslons u be arrived should be anticipated
and its possible results rendered partly nuEatory
by premature legislation.