Speech #530178048

I present three petitions largely signed by citizens of Pennsylvania. praying for the passage of what is known as the Stone immigration bill. I will take the liberty of stating the contents of the petitions. The first bears 2.508 signatures. the second 3.465. and the third 2.508. and the petitioners represent thAt at divers times andplsjes there have been landed upon our shores large numbers of foreign immigrants. embodying paupers. criminals. anarchists. socialists. nihilists. mafias. and birds of passage (who work a season and return to spend the fruits of their labor abroad). thus endangering the life of our nation and its institutions. bringing unfair competition into our market. resulting in hardships. the extent of which can not be computed. and causing general depression on every side. Therefore the petitioners. all of them being American citizens. after carefully considering the grievances set forth and their inevitable results. respectfully petition the Senate to pass H. R. bill No. 5246. as passed by the House of Representatives (introduced by Hon. WILLIA A. STONE of Pennsylvania) providing for consular inspection of immigrants before embarkation. The petitioners also pray that anarchists. mafias. or members of any society whose principles are inimical to our Government be added to the excluded classes mentioned in act of March 1. 1891. and also that Congress provide for the appointwaent of a nonpartisan commission to thoroughly investigate the evils of immigration. especially in sections colonized by aliens during the last two decades. und to report to the next session of Congress. together with such revision of law as may be necessary to remedyAhe evil and protect our country from the dangers of undesirable immigrants. I have already mentioned the numerous signatures to these three petitions. I present in addition. on the same subject. three other petitions not so numerously signed. I move that the petitions be referred to the Committee on Immigration.