Mr. President. as a member of the Committee on Immigration. I joined the committee in reporting favorably the bill that is now under consideration. I believe it is just and proper as a matter of selfprotection that there should be some restriction upon immigration. Those immigrants who are paupers. who are unsound in body or unsound in mind. who are morally and physically unfit to enter this country should be excluded. The bill only aims to cover a part of the ground. It simply seeks to enforce what is known as the literary test. It simply provides that immigrants who are over 14 years of age shall be required to read and write some language. either that of their own country. the land of their nativity. or of some other country. This is a fair and reasonable test as far as it goes. It may be conceded that perhaps in some cases it will work a hardship. that sometimes there are good and healthy immigrants. fit to enter this country and become good members of society. who could not pass this test. But it is very difficult in a matter of general legislation to fit all cases. We have to legislate upon general lines and under general principles. and so we can not at all times reach and meet individual cases.
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