Speech #570064638

I grant you that an education is merely a tool that can be used successfully in the hands of an intelligent man. but I do say that an intelligent man will seek education. and the fact that a man has education implies that he has intelligence. Well. how would an educational test affect the citizens of this country? What effect would it have on the class of immigrants now coming in? I find that in 1890 the percentage of illiteracy of the total immigration over 15 years was 20 per cent. in 1896 it was 29 per cent. in 1897 it was 23 per cent. in1898.23 per cent. in 1899. 19 per cent. in 1900. 24 per cent. in 1901. 27 per cent. So that as shown in these figures the illiteracy among the immigrants that come into this country is constantly increasing. I have shown that in the figures I have already read that in these years the number of immigrants coming from northern Europe has greatly diminished. and the number coming from southern and eastern Europe has largely increased. keeping pace with the illiteracy that is shown. I also find that the number of persons in each hundred immigrants. over 14 years of age. who can not read or can not read and write their own language. from those races which contributed 2.000 immigrants to the United States during the years 1899. 1900. 1901 are as follows. I will merely read the difference for the year 1901 and insert the balance in the RECORD. There was eighttenths of 1 per cent among the Scandinavians who could not read. among the English. 1.8 percent.