Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-02
Wilson Again Vetoes The Immi-
grafton Bill.

President Wilson on the 29th instant
vetoed the immigration bill passed recently
by Congress. because of its literacy test
provision.
II was the second time that President
Wilson had vetoed an immigration bill
because Of the literacy test, and for the
same reason similar measures were vetoed
by Presidents Taft and Cleveland.
The Presidents veto message to the
House. in which the bill originated. fol-
lows:
Il very much regret to return this bill
without my signature.
in most Of the provisions Of the bill
should be very glad to concur, but can
not rid myself Of the conviction that the
literacy test constitutes a radical change
IN the policy of the nation which is not
justified in principle. 1t is not a test of
character, of quality. or personal fitness.
but would operate in most cases merely as
a penalty for lack Of opportunity in the
country from which the alien seeking ad-
education is in many cases one of the
chief opportunities sought by the immi-
grant in coming to the United States, and
our experience in the past has not been
that the illterate immigrant is as such an
undesirable immigrant. Test of quality
and Of purpose cannot be objected to on
principle, but test of opportunity surely
may be.
Moreover, even if this test might be
equitably insisted on, one Of the exceptions
proposed to its application involves a pro-
vision which might lead to very delicate
and hazardous diplomatic situations.
The bill exempts from the operation of
the literacy test all aliens who shall prove
to the satisfaction of the proper immigra-
tion officer or to the Secretary of Labor
that they are seeking admission to the
United States to avoid religious persecu-
ton in the country of their last permanent
residence, whether such persecution be
evidenced by overt acts or by laws of gov
ernmental regulations that discriminate
against the alien or the race to which he
belongs because of his religious faith
Such provision, so applied and adj
ministered, would oblige the officer con-
cerned in effect to pass judgment upon
the laws and practices of foreign Gov
eminent and declare that they did or did
not constitute religious persecution.
This would, to say the least, be a most
invidious function for any administrative
officer of this Government to perform, and
II is not only possible but probable that
very serious questions Of International
justice and comfy would arise between
this Government and the Government or
Governments thus officially condemned,
should its exercise be adopted
Il dare say that these consequences were
not in the minds of the proponents of this
provision. but the provision separately and
in itself renders it unwise for me 10 give
my assent to this legislation in its present
FORM"
When the MESSAGE was read in the House
il was ordered to lie on the table until
Thursday morning, and champions of the
bill began laying their plans for an effort
TO override the veto. Chairman Burnett
announced 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 26l and the nays 1856. The
attempt having failed in the House. no ac-
tion was taken in the Senate.
When President Taft vetoed a similar
measure because of the literacy test the
Senate succeeded in overriding him by
more than a two-thirds majority. but the
House fell short about dozen votes.
The bill which the President vetoed
passed the House last March by vote of
3OS to 81 and the Senate in December by
"a to 7.