Speech #550134646

If a more effective one could be suggested. it would be urged instead of this. The present laws have proven inefficient for that purpose. Last year. out of a total of 230.832 immigrants. only 1.880. or less than 1 per cent. were excluded. The leading journal of this country through which labor speaks says. in its issue of January 13. 1898: � The present laws are not effective. they do not afford relief. That they are entirely inadequate and do not meet the requirements of the case is altogether too obvious to need demonstration. Ninety per cent of the immigration that would be affected by this testthe educationalare of a class not wanted in any section of the country. Our organization and work carries us into every State in the Union. and elsewhere. Not only the wage earners but men in every walk of life are pronounced in favor of more effective restriction of immigration. This bill provides for the exclusion ofall persons physically capable and over 16 years of age who can not read or write the English language or sonm other language. but a person not so able to read or write whois over 50 years of age and is the parent or grandparent. may accompany such immigrant. or such a parent or grandparent may be sent for and come to join the family of a child or grandchild over 21 years of age similarly qualified and capable. and a wife or minor child not so able to read or write may accompany or be sent for and come to join the husband or parent similarly qualified and capable. It embodies the only practical method for the exclusibn of the undesirable classes. The opposition to it are the old hackneyed cries. "It will cause cruel separation of families." and "A man need not be able to read and write in order to make a good citizen." One is founded on a misreading of the bill. and the other upon a misconception of its purpose.