I think the simple statement of these propositions. aside from the consideration of the enormous expense involved for the establishment of the necessary machinery to carry out the provisions of that bill. sufficiently proves its futility and absurdity. The Corliss bill in its inception was a valuable measuie. But under the action of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization a section was incorporated which seems to me to destroy the usefulness of that bill. I will say here. in order that I may not seem to be inconsistent in opposing a measure which originally had my support. that the committee. contrary to my vote. incorporated also in the bill introduced by me and favorably reported by that committee a similar provision permitting the lake shipowners by a kind of special license to hire foreign seamen to man American vessels. The plea for this proposition is that. owing to the alleged scarcity of American sailors. it would be a serious disadvantage to the merchant marine of the Great Lakes to insist upon the exclusive employment of American citizens on American ships.
Keywords matched
Naturalization Immigration