The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-18
L|1ERlcY TEST RETAINED.
SENATE COMMITTEE DECIDE TO
REPORT IMMIGRATION BILL
FAVORABLY.
senator Smith at Work ON Statement
To Be Made When Bill is Handed
oil

Washington, March 12.-The COM
mittce on immigration of the senate
OF which Senator f.. ID. Smith Of
South Carolina is chairman. today
voted To report to the senate favor
ably for passage the pending immi-
grafton measure.
For several weeks the senate com
mittce has been at work on various
sections of the bill. which was intro
duced early in the present congress.
Chairman Smith has been devoting
practically his entire time for a
month to me various questions in
volved and is highly pleased with the
terms OF the measure today reported.
1t Is doubtful IL there is a more
important bill now receiving the con-
sideration OF congress than the i'm
migration measure--a measure that
is important not alone to the laborers
OF the United States and to the flu
ture OF America. but important as it
affects the relationship of this coun-
try with the foreign nations.
Chairman Smith has been in fire.
quent conferences with Secretary Bry-
an with regard to those provisions Of
the measure which might affect the
official or friendly conduct of the
United States with foreign countries.
1t is understood the bill that the
senate committee this morning re-
ports is entirely satisfactory with
reference to International policies.
The senate committee on immigra-
tion. one of strongest committees Of
the present senate. has gone minute
ly into every detail of the bill and ex-
per,s OF the immigration service to-
day pronounced tho measure az being
the best thought out and strongest
immigration measure that has ever
been presented to the senate.
The literacy test. which was the
provision that aroused most oppOsi-
tion. is retained practically as orig
inally drawn. and is regarded as one
Of the strongest restrictive features Of
the measure.
IL Is however, but one OF the seY-
eral provisions which have as their
aim the restriction OF the present day
influx of aliens into the United States.
The opinion OF Senator Smith. of
course. In known to be in favor Of all
provisions which will prevent the fur
their entry Of undesirable immigrants.
and the fact that the committee has
voted to report the measure contain
ing all OF the restrictive clauses in
dicates that che committee is behind
It's chairman in this attitude. 1t Is
pretty well agreed that the senate
will pass the pending measure, not
withstanding reports that are current
that the act might be vetoed il passe d
in it's present form.
1t 10 quite probable that efforts will
be made to amend the bill on the
floor OF the senste, but as to whether
or not this will be done ID problem.
atical.
Senator Smith is today engaged in
the preparation of the report which
will accompany the bill into the SEN
ate, and beyond stating that. he was
highly gratihed at the results SO far
and that the fight had just now be-
gun In earnest would have nothing
further to say.
Senator Smith has been warmly
congratulated today by friends of the
measure for the able manner in
which he has conducted To success
ful issue the passage OF the bill
through his committee.