Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-30
ALIEN BILL WITH
ABC TEST VETOED
President Rejects immigration
Measure Because of It's
Literacy Clause.
RADICAL CHANGE IN POLICY

Washington, Jan. 29.-Today preSi-
dent Wilson vetoed the immigration
bill passed recently by congress be-
cause of its literacy test provision.
1t was the second time that Presi-
dent Wilson had vetoed an immigra-
ton bill because of the literacy test
and for the same reason similar meas
ures were given vetoes by Presidents
Cleveland and Taft The presidents 5
veto message to the house, i'll which
the bill originated, follows:
Il very much regret TO return this
bill without my signature.
Radical Change of Policy.
I'm most of the provisions Of the
bill | should be very glad to concur
but | cannot rid myself OF the con-
viction that the literacy test consti-
tuteS radical change in the policy
of the nation which is not justified
in principle. 1t is not a test of char
acter, of quality, or of personal fit
ness, but would operate i'll most cases
merely as a penalty for lack OF op-
portunity in the country from which
the alien seeking admission came.
The opportunity to gain an educa-
ton 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 illiterate immigrant
is, as such, an undesirable immigrant
Tests of quality and of purpose can
not be objected to on principle, but
tests of opportunity surely may be.
Might Cause Trouble.
"Moveovcr, even if this test might
be equitably insisted on, one of the
exceptions proposed to its applica-
ton involves provision which might
lead to very delicate and hazardous
diplomatic situations.
THE bill cxcmpts from the oper-
alton of the literacy tests all aliens
who shall prove to the satisfaction of
the proper immigration officer or to
the secretary of labor that they are
seeking admission to the United
States to avoid religious persecution
in the country of their last permanent
residence, whether such persecution
be evidenced by overt acts or by laws
or governmental regulation that dis
eliminates against the alien or the
race to which he belongs, Because
of his religious faith.
An Invidious Function.
Such a provision, so applied and
administered, would oblige the officer
concerned, in effect, to pass judgment
upon the laws and practices of for
eign government and declare they did
or did not constitute religious perse-
cution. This would, to say the least,
be a most invidious function for any
administrative officer of this govern
ment to perform, and it is not only
possible but probable that very
serious questions of international JUS
tice 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 consequences
were not in the minds of the pro-
ponents of this provision, but the pro-
vision, separately and in itself, renders
it unwise for me to give my assent
to this legislation in its presentiorm."
Ordered to Lie on Table.
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 laying
their plans for an effort to override
the veto. Chairman Burnett an
nounced tonight 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 at
tempt having failed in the house no
action was taken by the senate.