Speech #540082081

There is something real in its provisions. It excludes effectually. I think. that class of immigrants which has become commonly known as "birds of passage"persons who do not desire to become citizens. but simply drop in from foreign countries during the working season. prey upon our workingmen by destroying their wages and regular employment. causing innumerable strikes. labor disturbances. bloodshed. and violence. returning after the working season is over. carrying with them millions of dollars to foreign countries. and leaving nothing but discontent and the memory of unsavory lives behind. The Stone bill does nothing of this kind. it does not even suggest a remedy. as we shall see from further analysis. I have recited what classes are excluded from the United States. The Stone bill then proposes that the consul at the port of entry of the immigrant. or the other officer who may be designate shall make an examination of the immigrantfor what purpose? To ascertain if the immigrant is an idiot. or an insane person. or a lunatic. or a pauper. or is liable to become a public charge upon the people of the United States. or has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime or misdemeanor. or is a contract laborer. or is a polygamist. or an anarchist. or a Chinese. That is what the consul will be required to do. Now. I submit this question to every lawyer in this House. and I ask its fair considerationnot with a view to pleasing anybody or pandering to any outside influence. but with a view of doing that which is right from a legal and just standpoint: If those questions are to be passed upon in a foreign country. what use is there in having an immigrant station here to pass upon the very same questions again? Do you wish to have them passed on twice? Will you accredit your consuls or other parties abroad to transact certain business. and then say they are not competent to transact that very business fully and completely. that they are not competent to give a certificate which ought to admit the immigrant into the United States without further examination? If you are prepared to so declare. do so. because it is certain that if this bill is adopted either the consul abroad or the immigration officers on this sideone or the othermust be disregarded in the event of a conflict of opinion. The very officer upon whom this extraordinary power is to be conferred is directed to examine the immigrants with the distinct understanding that another and similar examination is to be made after the immigrant arrives in the United States. hence. I desire to ask the lawyers in this body the further questionand I would like to hear even the sanguine gentleman from Pennsylvaniaanswer itIf these two different authorities should conflict in their opinion as to the eligibility of the immigrant desiring admission. what will the immigrant do? Whose opinion will prevail? Suppose the consul across the waters. for instance. at Liverpool. or at Naples. should declare a man fully competent to enter the United States. should pronounce him not to come within the inhibition against the excluded classes. and give him a certificate to that effect. and on the arrival of this immigrant at the port of New York the Commissioner of Immigration should make a second examination and say. "I disagree with the consul or other United States authority abroad." in such a case tell me what would become of that immigrant? And what part of your laws would be enforced in that eventthat part applying to the examination in the United States. or that part applying to the examination abroad? One examination will be of as much force and dignity as the other. When we come to consider legislation of this kind these are pertinent questions which address themselves to our intelligence and calm deliberation. unless you intend to bring about a conflict of authority between different officers. The gentieman from Indiana and the gentleman from Pennsylvania said yesterday that they felt great sympathy for the poor immigrant. that there are many persons detained now on Ellis Island in New York waiting to be transported to the countries from which they came. Let us consider that matter for a moment. Suppose that a conflict should arise between the authorities. as I have suggested. if this bill passes. Would not your immigrant still be detained at Ellis Island or somewhere else until the question of his eligibility for admission had been adjudicated by somebody. and that somebody not known or even hinted at in the measure before us? There is no authority given in this bill for anybody to pass upon that question in the event of a disagreement between the different officers. and no appeal from either is granted.