Speech #510212555

Thatthey were needed iscertain. That they are insufficient appears to be equally so. The committee of the Fiftieth Congress appointed by Speaker CARLISLE to investigate thesubject of immigration say atthe close of their report: "Certainly the effect of the present unrestricted system of immigration. as applicable to the conditions under consideration. upon the industrial situation of this country. has been very bad. and the committee believe that the time has come when immigration should be more effectively regulated. that persons who immigrate to the United States should at least be composed of those who in good faith desire to become its citizens and are worthy to be such." As one example of the practical effect of unrestricted immigration the committee cite the case of the coalmining country. Generally speaking. the classof immigrants who have lately been imported nud employed in the coal regions of this country are not such. in the opinion of the committee. as would make desiraleinhabitantsof the United States. They are of a very low order of intelligence. They do not come here with the intention of becoming citizens. their whole purpose being to accumulate by parsimonious. rigid. and unhealthy economy a sum of money and then return to their native land. They live in miserable sheds like beasts. the food they eat is so meager. scant unwholesome and revolting that it would nauseate and disgust en American workman. and he would find it difficult to sustain life upon it. Their habits are vicious. their customs are disgusting. and the effect of their presence here upon our social condition is to be deplored. They have not the influences. as we understand them. of a home. they do not know what the word means. and.lathe opinion of (he committee. no amount of effort would improve their rxcals or a nmericanize this class of immigrants. They have been broughthee in such numbers and have been employed at such low wages that it has resulted in their replacing the American citizens who formerlyperformed this class of labor. until now there are comparatively few Americans engaged in mining coal in Pennsylvania." .The state of lacts thus set forth by this committee. of whiiih MIr. Ford. of Iichigan. was chairman. grows out of changed conditions.