Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1917-01-30
tBy Associated Press,

Washington, d. c., Jan. 30.-Presi.
dent Wilson Monday vetoed the i'm
migration bill passed recently by Con-
gress because Of its literacy test pro-
visions.
1t was the second time that Presi.
dent Wilson has vetoed an immigra-
tion bill because Of the literacy test
and for the same reason similar meas
Ves were given vetoes by Presidents
Taft and Cleveland.
The Presidents veto message to
the house. in which the bill originat-
cd, follows:
Il regret very much to return this
bill without my signature.
I'm most OF the provisions OF the
bill ! should be very glad to concur.
but cannot lid myself OF the convic.
tion that the literacy test constitutes
a radical change In the policy OF the
nation which is not Justified in princi.
pie. II is not test Of character, of
quality or Of personal fitness. but
would operate in most cases merely
as penalty for lack Of opportunity in
the country from which the alien
seeking admission comes.
The opportunity to gain an educa-
tion 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.
Moreover. this test might be inequit.
ably insisted on. One OF the excep-
tions proposed to its application In.
wolves a provision which might lead
TO very delicate and hazardous diplo-
matte situations.
Might Involve United States.
The bill exempts from the opera.
tion OF the literacy test all aliens who
shall prove to the satisfaction Of the
proper immigration officers or the
secretary OF labor that they are seek.
Ing admission to the United States |
to avoid religious persecution In the
county Of their last permanent resi-.
dence. whether such persecution be
evidenced by overt acts or by laws or |
governmental regulations. that dis.
criminate against the alien or the race |
to which he belongs because Of his re-
ligious faith.
Such provision 90 applied and ad. !,
ministered would oblige the officer
concerned In effect to pass Judgment !,
upon the laws and practices Of a for. !,
eisn government and declare they did
or did not constitute religious perse. |
cution. This would be. to say the
least, the most invidious function for
any administrative officer of this gov.
ernment to perform. and II is not only
possible but probable that very seri.
Gus questions Of International justice
and comfy would arise between this
government and the government or
governments thus officially condemn.
Cd should its exercise be adopted.
u dare say that the consequences
were not In the minds Of the propo.
nents Of this provision. but the pro.
vision separately and in itself rem.
ders II unwise for me to give my a..
sent to this legislation In It's present
FORM"
Vote May De Taken rhursday.
shen the message was read In the
house II was ordered to lie on tho IN.
BILE until Thursday morning and cham.
pions OF the bill began laying their !
plans for an effort to override the
veto. Chairman Burnett announced
Monday night that he would move for
a vote Thursday Two years ago the
house lacked only four votes Of the
necessary twc'thirds majority to pass
the bill over the veto. Tho attcmpt
having failed In the house. no action
was taken bSSshe senate.
When prosifont IT., ....