I repeat. of the mnen now occupying seats in this Chamber would not only not be Representatives on this floor. but would not even be citizens of the United States if this bill had been in operation a hundred or a hundred and fifty years ago. Why. sir. this bill is not only a wrong in theory. but it is a monstrosity so far as its practical operation is concerned. A year ago. when the Committee on Immigration visited Ellis Island. I took particular pains to test the working of the socalled Lodge restriction bill. Standing by the side of Dr. Senner. the able and experienced administrator of that immigration office. I took out of the line of Italian immigrants that were passing before the inspector one whom I asked. through the interpreter. whether he could read or write. He replied that he could. I then had brought to me an Italian testament. a small book printed in double columns. and selected a passage occupying five lines. equivalent to about a line and a half of ordinary newspaper print. I asked the immigrant to write a copy of the indicated passage. From the moment his pen touched the paper. we timed his effort. He wrote the verse. and his chirography was legible and beautiful.
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