The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-29
| BURNETT TO LEAD
FIGHT TO OVERRIDE
VETO OF PRESIDENT
CONTINUED from Page one)

any case. because II involves opposing
the single judgment of the President to
| the judgments of majority of both
houses of Congress, step which no man
who realizes his own liability to error
can take without great hesitancy, but also
because this particular bill is in so many
important respects admirable, we'll con-
ceved and desirable
Its enactment into law would undoubt-
eddy enhance the efficiency and improve
the methods of handling the important
branch of the public service to which it
relates. But candor and a sense of duty
with regard to the responsibility so clearly
imposed upon by the constitution in mat
tiers of legislation leave me no choice but
to dissent.
Departure From Policy
IN two particulars of vital consequence
this bill embodies a radical departure from
the traditional and long -esta blished policy
of this country, policy in which our
people have conceived the very character
of their government to be expressed, the
Very mission and spirit of the nation in
respect of its relations to the peoples of
the world outside their borders. 1t seeks
to all but close entirely the gates of
asylum which have always been open to
those who could find nowhere else the
right and opportunity of constitutional
authority for what they conceived to be
the natural and inalienable rights of men:
and it excludes those to whom the oppor-
tunities of elementary education have been
denied without regard to their character;
their purposes or their natural capaci-
ties. Restrictions like these adopted early
in our history as nation would very
materially have altered the course and
cooled the humane ardors of our politics.
The right of political asylum has brought
to this country many man of noble char
acter and elevated people who was marked
as an outlaw in his own less fortunate
land, who has yet become an ornament to
our citizenship and to our public coun-
ellis.
The children and compatriots of these
illustrious Americans must stand amazed
to see the representatives of their nation
now resolved in the fulness of our ma
tional strength and at the maturity of
our great institutions. to risk turning such
men back from our shores without test of
quality or purpose. 1t is difficult for me
to believe that the full effect of this
feature of the bill was realized when it
was framed and adopted and it Is impos-
sible for me to assent to 1t in the form
in which it is here cast. Literacy tests
and restrictions which accompany it. con-
stitute an even more radical change in
the policy of the nation. Hitherto we have
generously kept our doors open TO all
who We're not untitled by reason of dis
ease or incapacity for self support, or such
personal records and antecedents as were
likely to make them menace to our
peace and order, or to the wholesome and
essential relationships of life. In this
bill it is proposed to turn away from tests
of character and equality, and to impose
tests which exclude and restrict for the
new tests hel Elm embodied are not tests
of quality or of character or of per-
sonai fitness, but tests of opportunity
Those who come seeking opportunity are
not to be admitted unless they already
have had one of the chief opportunities
they seek-the opportunity of education.
The object of such provisions is restric-
ton, not selection.
Is Peoples Right
IF the people of this country have
made up their minds to limit the number
of immigrants by arbitrary tests and so
reverse the policy of all the generations
of Americans that have gone before Them
it is their right to do SO. | am their SER
want and have no license to stand in their
way. But l do not believe that they
have. / respectfully submit that no one
can quote their mandate to that effect
Has any political party ever avowed
policy of restriction in this fundamental
matter gone to the country on It. and
been commissioned to control its legisa-
scious and universal assent and desire of
the American people? | doubt it 1t is
because I doubt it that make bold to
dissent from it. l am willing to abide
by the verdict but not until it has been
rendered. Let the platforms of parties
speak out upon this policy and the people
pronounce their wish. The matter Is too
fundamental to be settled otherwise
Il have no pride of opinion on this ques-
ton. l am not foolish enough to profess
to know the wishes and ideals of America
better than the body of her chosen repre-
sentatives know them. only want in
struction direct from those whose for
tunes with ours and all mems are In
volved."
Other business in the House was sus-
pended while the Presidents veto message
was read. 1t evoked applause on the
democratic side and from some repub-
licans.
AT the proper time said Representa-
tive Burnett, II shall move a reconsidera-
ton of the vote by which the bill passed
the House and that it be passed over
tho preSi1ert'a yato