Speech #540082053

I am dealing in facts. The records here show that our prisons and our poorhouses and our asyhuns are largely monopolized by this class. imposing an additional tax upon our people and giving an idea of how the life of the great body politic is being poisoned by their admission. Onethird of the insane are foreignborn immigrants. Onehalf of our criminals and our paupers are foreign born. And yet we are told. in the name of Liberty. that we must admit these classes. Gentlemen say. "Let not this great country raise the -flag of proscription against any of the poor sons and daughters of Eve." Why. -Mr. Speaker. it is an almost criminal enlargement and perversion of the idea of liberty to say that the laborers of this country should be deprived of the opportunity to earn an honest livelihood simply because. in the name of Liberty. we are invoked to allow every son and daughter of Eve upon this earth to come in. If this country wanted immigration we would hear a demand for it. The commission appointed to investigate that question have made the investigation and submitted their report. Twentyseven States have made answer to the inquiry whether they wanted immigration. such as this bill proposes to exclude. Of those 27 States. these 11 want no labor immigration at all: California. Idaho. Illinois.