I know we did. I have labored foryears. long before the Supreme Court of the United States decided this headmoney to be unconstitutional. I have labored in my place here to have the immigrants relieved from this burden. for although the owners of the vessels paid it. it was so much added to the fare of the immigrants. I have labored hard to get this headmoney imposition taken off. before the courts decided the question. I have hadto watch my friend from New York so closely to prevent his increasing the amoant of headmoney for the benefit of his city that I at last got almost tired ofit. It was more fatiguing even than the tariffbill. though perhaps mot so universally injurious to the country. Now. I have this to say: I was glad when this bill was brought to my attention. that all the immigrants to the country were relieved by the decision of the Supreme Court from this headmoney and could come here without being taxed the moment they set foot on our soil. I was willing that New York should have all she bad made during the last twentyseven years. I did not even ask that she should give to the Government the buildings which had been erected by means of this money taken from the immigrants. The United States Government has shown a disposition today to provide a landingplace for all these immigrants under the authority of the General Government. and I venture to say they will do it. These immigrants go to other portions of the United States. -where they have no headmoney to pay and never have had. The city in which I live. the city of Port Huron. is and has been for fifteen years the second place in the United States. as the records show. so far as immigrants are concerned. and they have never had to pay a -cent of headmoney there as they came from the Old World and passed through Canada and landed at that point. I hope this bill will pass. and that the city of New York will have the buildings which she has erected. but that these emigrants will be relieved from this tax.
Keywords matched
immigrants emigrants