Chairman. this is the importance of such a place as Castle Garden. as stated by one of the board of commissioners. Mr. Kapp. in his able work on immigration: This act (authorizing the purchase and occupation of Castle Garden) was as inaportant as the one creating the board of commissioners. for it first gave the power to afford really efficient protection to the emigrant. In view of these. facts. legislation such as this bill provides becomes imperative. It would secure to the Government more exact statistics of immigration and would enable it to invoke the aid of foreign states and the services of its own ministers and consuls in promoting such immigration. But there are other and nore urgent ends to be accomplished by the bill. If immigration to these shores is to be encouraged. there must be some lega method of protecting ourselves from the influx ofthe most degraded and burdensome classesof foreign populations. If. on the other hand. the immigration of those who will advance our prosperity is to continue and increase. there must be such legal provisions as will protect the inexperienced stranger who lands for the first time upon our shores from becoming the prey of every harpy who may choose to take advantage of his ignorance and helplessness. I will repeat. Mr. Chairman. that the protection of the immigrant from the rapacity of extortioners and thieves is demanded as a duty of the Government if it is to continue to foster immigration. It is demanded by a common humanity. The States ara virtually denied the power to protect the immigrant. and that power is declared to rest with Congress. Our present national disregard of the interests of those who seek a home in our land. is a discredit to humanity and to the honor of the nation.
Keywords matched
immigration emigrant immigrant