I regret to find. however. that such is not thecase. that several of the gentlemen who put that question to us at that time have now by their speeches placed themselves in opposition to this proposition. and have made extensive argnments here against it. I believe that the system of bringing into this country labor under contract is entirely vicious. While the United States Government opens its doors to all vluntary immigration. it should most unequiv-. ocally close its doors against all involuntary immigration. or against any immigration which comes in here under contracts to labor for a period of years. Such immigration. such labor. is to all intents and purposes slave labor. and it can under no circumstances do anything else than degrade and debase free American labor. You will remember. Mr. President. that during the colonial times much of this kind of labor came int6 some of the colonies. particularly into Pennsylvania. and undbr the laws which then prevailed there was absolutelywhiteslaveryin this country. Large numbers of white emigrants were brought here under contract for a term of years. and the owners of their labor were able to sell that labor and pass it from hand to hahd. I wish to say as a manufacturer myself that the manufacturers of this country do not desire to have this kind of labor brought into the country. that so far as my knowledge goes one and all are opposed to it. If skilled labor. manufacturing labor. desires to come to this country. let it come intelligently and voluntarily. and when it is here it will then be upon an equality and a par with American labor.
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immigration emigrants