Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-30
Veto OF the Immigration Bill

THE reluctance with which President Viii
son vetoed the immigration bill was in
spirei he says in his MESA Sc. not only by
regret that he should find himself in disagree
meut with Congress on the two important
sections that controlled his action. but also
by the fact that his veto would defer the &C
complishment % muCh-neet;ed reforms in the
impli gration service.
Wise and good men differ fundamentally
70 the literacy test TIC those who are
alarmed by aunua! additions to our pcpula-
ton OF q million foreign Immigrants.
many of whom are alien in spirit as we'll as
III birth and environment TO the genius OF
American institutions. some policy OF restric-
ton appears demanded. They declare il OBJ
vious from the history OF recent labor
troubles and other social phenomena. that
this nations apacity 10 digest and assinliiate
certain elements OF immigration not only has
limit. but that the limit has been reached.
OF course, they do not defend the lteracy
test. save in its restrictive aspect and as
restrictive policy. They admit that i, would
exclude many immigrants who II admitted,
would become desirable citizens. Roughly.
their argument is that literacy is at least a
measure. even though imperfect rnea sure.
OF fitness. capacity and desira bi;ty; that OF
those excluded under the operation Of the
test the greater number would actually be
undesrables; that restriction is essential to
the country's happiness and the prosperity
OF its people; that restriction can only be
effected through the operation of some gen
eral rule. operating impartially or all nation
alities otherwise admissible. and that the
literacy test is the best regulation OF this
character that can be devised
The opposing view is well stated by the
President in his veto ge He says:
The l!te-acy test and tho tests and
restrictions which accompany II CON
sttiuie an even more radical change in
have generously kept our doors open 10
all who were not unified b. reason Of
disease or !nca2acity Cor seIt-support
such personal records and ante
cedents as were likely 10 MAKE them
menace 10 our peace and order or 10
the wholesome and essential relation.
ships OF lie IN this BILL * is proposed
to turn a"aF from tests OF character
and OF quality, and TO impose tests
which exclude and restrict; FOR the new
tests here embodied no, tests Of
quality or o: character or Of personal
fitness. but tests o. opportunity Those
who come seeking opPor;unity are not
10 be admitted unless they have already
mad on" OF the chic: OF the opportuni-
Ties they seek-the opportunity Of educa-
ton The object Of such provision is
restriction, not selection.
1t Is difficult and quite unnecessary to add
anything 10 that plain statement OF the case.
To many minds-to the minds Of most Demo
Gratis. perhaps--t will appear conclusive
The country's principal regret. believe
will spring from the realization that the other
reforms in the immigration service, regula-
tons and equipment. which are admittedly
necessary and 10 which the President refers,
are not TO be accomplished. These include
forced medical inspection of prospective i'm
migrants at foreign ports, better care and
more comforts on shipboard diversion OF
large share OF immigration from New York
TO various ports OF entry In thos country. and
other changes that promised highly bene-
hccnt results. Tho loss OF these reforms IS
great one II Is much TO be regretted that
they could not have been incorporated in
measure not subject 70 the fatal influence OF
congressional and presidential difference