It is said that the statute violates the rule of uniformity and the provision of the Constitution that "no preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another." becauseitdoes not apply to passengers arriving in this country by railroad or other inland mode of conveyance. But the law applies to all ports alike. and evidently gives no preference to one over another. but is uniform in its operation in all ports of the United States. It may be added that the evil to be remedied by this legislation has no existence on our inland borders. and immigration in that quarter needed no such regulation. Perfect uniformity and perfect equality oftaxation. in all the aspects in which the human mind can view it. is a baseless dream. as this court has said more than once. (State Railroad Tax Cases. 92 U. S.. 575. 612.) Here there is substantial uniformity within the meaning and purpose of the Constitution.
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immigration