Speech #520151368

Mr. Speaker. the bill reported by the Select Committee on Immigration and Naturalization. known as the Chandler bill. to be considered by the House. does not meet with my approval. Inmy judgment. it does not go far enough and does not restrict immigration sufficiently. I had hoped for an opportunity to offer an amendment as follows: Provided. That no alien immigrant shall be admitted within the United States unless he or she shall exhibit to the United States inspectors of arriving immigrants at the place of admission a certificate signed by the United States consni or other authorized representative of the United States at the place nearest where said immigrant last resided. setting forth that said consul or other United States representative has made aninvestigation concerning said immigrant. and that said immigrant does not belong to the classes of aliens excluded from admission into the United States under the provisions of the act of Congress approved March 3. i89l. entitled "An act in amedment to the various acts relative to immigration and the importation of allbns under contract or agreement to perform labor. its amendments and supplements." It shall be the duty of nited States consuls and United States representatives in other countries to investigate and grant or withhold certificates as shall be disclosed on investigation under the directions and instructions of the State Department. I never could see any good reason why an immigrant should be brought 3.000 miles to undergo this examination. He can be examined just as well by our representatives at his home before he departs to the United States as he canby our representatives after he reaches the United States. The difficulty under our present laws. and the bill proposed does not remedy it. is that when an immigrant has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reaches this country. without money sufficient to enable him to return to his home. the sympathy of our officials goes out towards him I and he too often passes an examination. not becau..e he is fitted. but because of the sympathy which his case carries. But under the rules it is impossible to consider this amendment or any other. My objection to the bill is that it is not sufficiently drastic. and. in my judgment. will not sufficiently restrict immigration. Under the act of March 3. 1891. immigration has not been restricted to those physically capable of selfsupport. Out of a total of 258.155 immigrants admitted under the law between July 1. 1891. and January 31. 1892. only 481 were barred on the ground that they were likely to become a public charge. ast reported by the Superintendent of Immigration to me on February 20. 1892. in the following table. Statement of immigrants returned. barred. and landed from July1 1. 1891. to January 31. 1892. Returned Likely after one Ports. Contract. to be- year as laborers. come a having be- Bonded.