The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-28
RETURNS BILL
TO CONGRESS
President Wilson Vetoes I'M
migration Measure and
Gives His Reasons
DISAPPROVES OF
LITERACY TEST

says the quantities OF Character or of
Personal Fitness Are Not Consider
ed, And That the Test of opportun-
ity Is Applied
WASHINGTON. Jan. -. - Wilson
vetoed the immigration bill today and
sent special message to Congress
saying he disapproved the measure be-
cause of the iteracy test. In his mes
sage delivered to the House Presi-
dent Wilson said: 1t is with unaffected
regret that l find myself constrained
by clear convictions to return this bill
In two particulars of vital
consequence this bin embodies IL rad
zeal departure from the traditional and
long-estabhshed policy OF this country.
a policy in which our people have con
ceived 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 witch have always
been open to those who could find no
where else the right and opportunity
Of constitutional agitation for what
they conceived to be the natural and
, lnaHcnable rights If men and it ex-
| Guides those to whom the opportuni-
| ties Of elementary education have been
/ denied without regard to their char
aeter, their purposes or their natural
capacity.
| Restrictions like these adopted ear
/ her IN our history Us a nation would
! very materially have altered the course
and cooled the humane ardors Of our
politics. The right of political asylum
has been brought to this country
many man eff noble character and eIc-
waited purpose 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-
cil-
+, The children and the compatriots of
these illustrious Americans must stand
amazed to see the representatives Of
their nations now resolved in the full,
ness OF our national strength and Mt
I the maturity of our great institutions
+ to risk turning such men back from
/ our shores without test Of quality or
of 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 impossible for
me to assent to it in the form in which
1 1t is here east.
The hteraey test and the test and
restrictions which accompany it con
stltute an even more radical CHANGED
policy of the nation
Hitherto we have generously kept
our doors open to all who were not I'm.
fitted by reason of disease or inca.
paeity for self support or such personal
records and antecedents as were likely
to make them a menace to our peace
and order or to the wholesome and es
sential relationship of life
In this bill it is proposed to turn
away from test Of character and OF
quality and to impose tests which ex
clude and restrict. for the new test.
here embodied are not tests of aualitN
or OF character or of personal fitness
but tests Of opportunity Those whc
come seeking opportunity are not to bt
admitted unless they have already ha1
one of the chief opportunities the,
seek, the opportunity of education
The object of such provision is re
stflct1on; not selection.
If the people of this country hay,
made up their mind to limit the mum
Der of immigrants by arbitrary test
and so reverse the policy of all til,
generations of Americans that have
gone before them it is their right t,
do so. | am their servant and have II,
license to stand in their way, but | d.
not believe that thew have
| respectfully submit that no ON
eau quote their mandate to that effect
Has any political party ever avowe,
a policy of restriction IN this funda
mental matter, gone to the country O.
It and been commissioned to contro
its legislation2
Does this bill rest on the congciou
and universal assent and desire of tn
i American people?
] doubt it. It is because | doub
that that | make bold to dissent fror
4 IT. | am willing to abide by the vel
4 diet, but not until it has been rendered
Let the platforms of parties spea
I out upon this policy and the peopl
i pronounce their wish. The matter is to
fundamental 10 be settled otherwise.
/ have no PRIDE Of opinion on thi
1 question, I am not foolish enough I
4 profess TO know the wishes and ideal
& of America better than the BODY 0
her chosen representatives know then
L only want instructions d;roe+ &C.,