Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-04
President Wilson Follows Ex-
ample of Taft and Cleveland
in Opposing Attempt to Bar
Out Illiterate Aliens.
M0Vl MENT TO OVERRIDE HIM
Representative Burnett Will
Propose That Measure BE
Passed Over Presidents Veto
Doubt AS to Possibility of
Securing Necessary Majority.

Washington, Jan. 2s.--President Wilson
vetoed the immigration bill because IF
the literacy test for admission Of aliens
to-day. His message was received in tho
House and referred to the immigration
committee. whose chairman. Representa-
/ tive Burnett will move next Thursday
| that the measure he oasscl over the ex-
ecutve veto.
Much informal discussion among mem
pers Of the House followed the reception
| of the veto and while advocates Of the
bill expressed confidence, other members
asserted that the required two-thiids
ma iority to force the measure into law
over the head Of the chief executive
could not he assured Three times has
| an immigration bill containing a restiic-
tive literacy test been vetoed. first by
/ President Cleveland. next by President
Taft and now bv President Wilson.
| Twice Congress failed TO override the
presidential disapproval and to-day House
managers We're insistent tina, the veto
should not he considered until there had
been time for reflection.
PRDSI DENT WITHOUT PRIDE.
The President in his message frankly
told tho House, which originated the bill.
that he had no pride Of opinion on the
question and neither was hn foolish
enough to profess to know the wishes
and ideals Of America better than the
body of hcr chosen representatives know
them
III the people OF this country have
made up their minds to limit the number
OF immigrants by arbitrary tests and 81
reverse the policy of all the generations
OF Americans that have gone before
. them it is their right to do So" he said.
IL am their servant and have no license
to stand in their way, but | do not he
lievc that they have.
FEELS RESPONSIBILITY
1T is with unaffected regret" the
message said that I fnd myself CON
strained by clear conviction to return
this bill. H. r. $3.50. an act to regu-
late the immigration of aliens to and
the residence of aliens in the tinted
States, without my signature.
Not only do feel it a serious mat
ter to exercise the power of veto in
any case because it involves the judg
ment of the President with the judg
ment Of both houses of Congress, a step
which no man who realizes his own
liability to err can take without great
hesitation and also that this particular
bill is N many important respects.
admirable, we'll conceived and desir-
able.
Its enactment into law would un-
doubtedly enhance thu efficiency and
improve the method. of handling the
important branch of the public service
to which it relates. But a sense OF
duty with regard to the responsibility
so clearly imposed upon me by the
constitution In matters of legislation.
leaves me no choice but to dissent
is DEPARTURE; FROM /. .Et'EDENT.
In two particulars of vital con-
sequence this bill embodies a radical
departure from the long esta blishel
policy OF This country a policy in which
our people have conceived the very
character of their government to be eX-
pressed, the very mission and spirit of
the mission in respect Of its relations to
the people OF the world outside of its
borders. 1t speaks to all but closes en-
tireiy the gates which have ALWAYS been
open to those who could ind nowhere
and agitation for what they conceived
to be- the natural and inalienable rights
OF man and it excludes those to whom
the opportunities OF elementary educa-
ton have been denied without regard
to their character. their purposes or thci,
natural capacity.
) WOULD BE. AMAZED.
Restrictions like these adopted earlier
in our history as nation would have
very materially altered the course and
cooled the humane ardor OF our politics
The right of political asylum has brough,
to this country many a man OF noble
character and elevated purpose who was
| marked as an outlaw in his own less
. fortunate lands, and who has Yet be
come An ornament to our citizenship and
to our public council
The children and the compatriots OF
these illustrious Americans must stanC
amazed to see the representatives OF theil
nations now resolved in the fullness o,
our national strength and at the maturity
of our great institutions to risk return
Ing such men back from our shores with
out test OF purpose or character It Is
difficult for me to believe that the who'll
was realized when 1t was framed ant
|
for me to sign Il in the form in whicr
it Is now cast"
INSISTS HOUSE TAKE TIME
When the message was read in the
House the attention given was marked
I Upon It's conclusion there was applaus,
r from both sides OF the chamber. Similar
. applause followed "A statement by Repre-
sentative Burnett that at the proper tim,
S he would move for reconsideration o,
the vote by which the bin passed ana tina
the measure be passed over the Presi
z dents veto. Conference OF House leader.
followed, the speaker. Majority Leader
Underwood Minority Leader Mann Rep
resentattve Burnett ana Representativ,
r | SABBATH. leader Of the House opponents o.
the measure. participating. MI Sabati
wished to hssten consideration of tn,
4 veto Mr. Burnett insisted upon time, DE-
4 ola ng that oil members should Do a1vsr
y len opportunity to he present before n.
q Innal test,
\ senate leaders insist thst there Woul,