South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-30
WILSON OPPOSES
LITERARY CLAUSE
President VetOeS immigration
BiII-0ther Parts Are
Satisfactory.

WASHINGTON. Jan 80 - Pres't
Wilson Monday vetoed the immigra-
ton bill passed recently 10y congress
because of its lteracy test provision.
X was the second time that Pres't
Wilson had vetoed an immigration
bin because Of the literacy test, and
for the same reason similar meas
ures We're given vetoes by Presidents
Taft and Cleveland.
The presidents veto message 20
the house, i'm which the bin orig
mated. follows
Why He Vetoed Bill.
IL very much regret 70 return this
bin without my signature In most
Of the provisions Of the bill I should
be glad TO concur, but / cannot rid
myself Of the conviction that the
literacy test constitutes q radical
change in the policy OF the nation
which is not justified in principles.
IL is not test of character. of per
sonal fitness. but would operate in
most cases merely as a penalty for
lack of opportunity in the country
from which the alien seeking ad-
mission came. The opportunity 10
gain an education is in many cases
one Of the chief opportunities sought
by the immigrant i'm coming 10 the
United states. and our experience in
the past has not been that the IL
literate immigrant 10 such an unje-
sirable immigrant. Tests of equality
and of purpose cannot be objected
to on principle. but tests of oppor-
tunity surely may be-
Moreover. even if this test might
be equitably insisted on. one of the
exceptions proposed 10 its applica-
ton involves a provision which
might lead TO very delicate and haz-
ardous diplomatic situations.
Involves Religious Liberty
The bill eNempts from the opera
tion Of the literacy test all aliens
who shall prove 70 the satisfaction
Of the proper immigration officer or
10 the secretary of labor that they
are seeking admission 70 the United
States 10 avoid religious persecution
i'm the country of the last permanent
residence, whether such persecution
be evidenced by overt acts or by
laws or governmental regulations
that discriminate against the alien
or the race TO which he belongs be
cause Of his religious faith
such a provision. so applied and
administered, would oblige the of
ncer concerned in effect to pass
judgment upon the laws and prac-
tees OF a foreign government and
declare that they did or did not con
stitute religious prosecution. This
would, TO say the least, be a most
invidious function for any admins
trative officer of this government TO
perform. and il is not only possible,
but probable that very serious ques-
tions of international justice and
comfy would arise between this
government and The government or
governments thus officially con
demned should its exercise be /
adopted.
Il dare say that these conse-
quences were not in the minds of
the proponents Of this provision. but
the provision separately and itself
renders it unwfse for me to give my
assent TO this legislation in its. plat
form"
May Vote Thursday.
When the message was read in
the house it was ordered TO lie on
the table until Thursday morning,
and champions of the bill began lay
ing their plans for an effort 10 over
ride the veto. Chairman Burnett an
Eounced Monday night that he
would move for a vote Thursday.
Two years ago the house lacked only
four votes OF the necessary two
thirds majority TO pass the bill over
the veto, the yeas being POI and the
nays 1876. The attempt having
failed in the house. no action was
taken by the senate.
When Pres't Taft vetoed a sim |
liar measure because Of the literacy
test. the senate succeeded in over /
riding him by more than two /
thirds majority, but the house fell Z
short about a dozen votes.
The bill which the president We
toed Monday passed the house last
March by vote of sos to 81 and |