I think. every member of the committee. Perhaps you who have not entered on the investigation of this subject can scarcely realize the difficulties that we have encountered. You are all perfectly aware that the most of us have constituencies quite largely made up of what is called our foreign population. very sensitive of course on all questions relating to immigration and naturalization. We naturally have had to consider this. and the sentiments held by this class of our people. and we have tried to prepare a bill not objectionable to them. not expecting that it would meet the favor or judgment of all the members of the committee here or of the House. I suppose that the most of us who are members of the committee would say. if our private judgment was asked. that some of us would prefer to go further than this bill goes. while others might say we have gone too far already. We have prepared this bill as a compromise of the judgment of the members of the committee so far as possible. and have presented it here to the House. And I want to say now that if we enter upon the broad field of discussion as to the number of immigrants that come within our borders. as to the precise quality of this immigration. as to their fitness for citizenship. and all that. we might just as well adjourn and go home. because we have but a few days left. and if this bill becomes a law. in my judgment it must pass this House tonight. Otherwise. if it should be the judgment of the committee here that it is too imperfect to pass. why of course it must fail. Now. we do not wish to shut out any legitimate criticism.
Keywords matched
immigrants immigration naturalization