Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-28
WILSON vETOES
| IMMIGRANT BILL
Returns Measure Unsigned
Because of Literacy
Test Feature.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
ACCOMPANIES VETO
Reasons For Exercising Veto Power
Set Forth in Lengthy Explanation
Claims Measure Would Restrict De-
sirable AIiens-1ilI contempla ates
Radical Changes in Policy Of Nation
House to Reconsider Law.

RADICAL changes IN Policy OF iNaeion
House to Reconsider Law.
Washington, Jan. 2S.-President Will
son vetoed the immigration bill today
and sent special message to cognress
saying he disapproved the measure be-
cause of the lteracy test.
President Wilson's message. delivered
to the house, was as follows:
1T is with unaffected regret that I
find myself restrained to return this
bill, (R. H. 6060,) an act to regulate the
immigration of ;oiens to. and the resi-
dence of aliens in, the United States.
without my signature.
mot only do feel it to be serious
matter to exercise my veto, because 1t
involves opposing the single judgment
of the president to the majority of the
judgments of both houses. and also be-
cause this bill is in many respects ad.
mirable, well conceived and desirable.
Purpose Of Bill Recommended.
Its enactment into law would ur1-
doubtedly enhance the efficiency OF the
branch of the public service to which it
relates. But the duty imposed on me
in the matters Of legislation leaves me
no choice but to dissent In two par
ticuIars this bill embodies radical de-
parture from the traditional policy OF
this country, the policy in which our
people have conceived the very char
acter Of their government to be ex-
pressed. the very mission and spirit Of
the nation in respect Of it, relations to
the people Of the world outside their
borders. It seeks to all but close en-
tirely the gates Of asylum. which have
always been open to those who could
find NO where else the right and oppor-
tunity Of constitutional agitation to
what they conceived to be the natural
and inalienable rights Of men; and 1t
excludes those whom the opportunities
OF elementary education have been de-
MED, without regard to their character.
their purposes or their natural ca
pactty.
Would Restrict Desirable Aliens.
Restrictions like these adopted
earlier in our nation would very ma
terially change our politics. The right
Of political asylum has brought to this
country many man Of noble char
acter who was marked as an outlaw in
his own less fortunate land and yet who
has become an ornament to our citizen
ship and to our public co.rcils.
"The children and the compatriots of
these illustrious Americans must stand
amazed to see the representatives of
their nation now resolved at the matur-
ity of its great institution to turn such
men back from our shores without test.
at is difficult for me to believe that
the full meaning of this feature was
realized and it is impossible for me to
accept 1t.
Radical Change Contemplated.
"The literacy test and the tests and
restrictions which are included, con-
template a most radical change in the
policy Of the nation. Hitherto we have
kept our door open to all not untitled
by reason Of disease, Of incapactty for
self support or such personal records
and antecedents as were likely to make
them q menace to our peace or order
or the wholesome and essential rela-
tionships of life. In this bill it is pro-
posed to turn away from tests Of char
acter and quality and impose tests
which would exclude and restrict; for
the new tests embodied are not tests of
quality and personal fitness but tests
Of opportunity. Those seeking oppor-
tunity are not to be admitted unless
they have already had one of the prin-
cipal opportunities which they seek
the opportunity of education. The OBJ
iect OF such restriction is exclusion, not
selection.
- exe1, hn1
made up their minds to exclude aliens
by arbitrary tests, and reverse the old
system it is their right to do so. lam
their servant and have no license to
stand in their way. But do not be-
lieve that they have.
Not Desire Of People.
"Has any political party over
avowed a policy Of restriction in this
Fundamental matter, gone to the coun-
try on 1t and been commissioned to make
such legislation? Does this bill rest
upon the conscious and universal as
sent and desire Of the American peo-
pie? doubt It. It ID because / doubt
1t that mako bold to dissent from It.
am willing to abide by the verdict but
until it has been rendered. let the plat-
forms Of parties speak out upon this
policy anu tHc PCOPA0 PAOucuuCC IuCbI
wish. The matter Is too fundamental
to be settled otherwise.
II have no pride Of opinion on this
question. am not foolish enough to
profess to know the wishes and ideals
Of America better than the body OF
her chosen representatives know them.
only want instruction; direct from
those whose fortunes with ours and all
mems are involved"
Will Reconsider Measure.
The reading Of the message evoked
applause on the democratic side and
from some republicans.
"At the proper time. said Repre-
sentative Burnett chairman Of the Inn
migration committee. II shall move y
reconsideration OF the vote by which
the bill passed the house and that II
be passed over the president's veto u
do not desire snap Judgment Of any
one. No one has had any idsa whoa
n, ~ ~ -