I present a petition numerously signed by citizens of the city of St. Louis. Mo.. stating "that at divers times and places there have been landed upon our shores large numbers of foreign immigrants. embodying paupers. criminals. anarchists. socialists. nihilists. mafias. birds of passage. who work a season and return to spend the fruits of their labor abroad. and (especially during the past year) persons affected with cholera. typhus fever. and other malignant and loathsome diseases. thus endangering the life of our nation and individual citizens as well. bringing unfair competition into our market. resulting in hardships. the extentof which can not be computed. and causing general depression on every side." The petitioners therefore pray "for the passage of such an amendment to the immigration laws as to prohibit the landing within our border of any and all immigrants. whether at seaports or along our borders. for the space of one year after the passage of said law. excepting foreigners who may come here as visitors during the progress of the Worlds Fair." The petitioners further pray "for the appointment of a commission to thoroughly investigate the evils of immigration in sections colonized by aliens during the last two decades. and to report to the next session of Congress." I move that the petition be referred to the Committee on Immigration.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants are described as embodying paupers, criminals, anarchists, socialists, nihilists, mafias, birds of passage, and carriers of diseases.