Speech #500154675

from the Special Committee. on Immigration. submitted the fol. lowing report: That he disagrees with the report of the majorityof the committee both in regard to the report of tie committee and the billreported for the considera. tion of the House. The undersigned is opposed to a headmoney tax of more than $1 for each immigrant. believing this sum sufficient to meet all the required expenses necessary to conduct the Department of Immigration. The undersigned also disagrees with the majority- of the committee In regard. to any change of existing law limiting the number of passengers to each 100 tons of the vessel conveying the immigrant. as the safeguards of the present law are sufficient protection to the immigrant and therefore require no change. The undersigned is of the opinion that the committee was only charged with the duty of making a thorough and full investigation. and to report a bill to effectually protect the country from a flood of paupers. lunatics. idiots. ant cripples entirely incapable of selfsupport. thereby becoming a charge upoa the country. adding greatly to the burthens of the people. Another subject of investigation requiring consideration by the committee was not onlyto check but to prevent the influx of criminals into this country. as well as to thoroughly wipe out the unjust and injurious system of the im. portaton of laborers and mechanics under contracts made abroad at a very much less rate of compensation than the wages paid in this country. to the great injury of our own mechanics and workingmen. So far asthe report and bill of the majority of the committee deal with the three propositions last above referred to. the undersigned is prepared to go any length in advocacy of the passage of a proper measure to furnish absolute protection. in order to shutout paupers. lunatics. Idiots. cripples. and thieves. as well as all other evildoers. who come here to practice their wickedness and fll our poorhouses- and prisons. I am unqualifiedly opposed to the passage of any law that will in any way check orstop the influx of honest immigration. believing- that our happy and prosperous. country witl in the- future as hi the past continue to receive with open. arms everyhonest. industrious man who may seek a home among us for 1889.. the purpose of improving and benefiting his condition in life. whether such comer may be worth one dollar or one million of dollars. All of which is respectfully submitted. F.