Speech #570065300

The love of children is not denied to those who can neither read nor write. Reading and writing do not determine intelligence. These immigrants coming here to us have learned how to do their work and do it well. That is sometimes better than knowing how to read and write. In my opinion it would be better to keep out the inechhnic who can read and write and who comes here in competition with the mechanic in our country rather than to keep out the laborer who. after he arrives here. will consume with his family his share of the products produced by others. I am not in favor of a narrowminded. selfish. stingy view of immigration. Mr. Chairman. I understand very well that there is quite a prevailing impression upon the part of the people of our country of American descent who have not come in contact with the foreignborn population or their children that the foreignborn population. or a very large proportion of it coming herepossible ignorant so far as reading and writing are concernedis a menace to the future of our country. Now. I happen to represent from the city of Chicago what would be known there as a silkstocking district. but I deny all of those charges concerning the foreignborn population and their descendants. and I say without hesitation that an observation of some years in our city. largely composed of foreignborn population. and more than half composed of people foreign born and their children. has convinced me that the children of these people coming here from other countries. attending the public schools. taking an interest. as they do. in public affairs. make just as good citizens as those whose ancestors came over in the Mayflower. Observation everywhere in these large cities. where you comein practical daily contact and experience with the descendants of the foreignborn population. is to the effect that they take a. greater interest in public affairs. oftentimes. than the Americans themselves. that they give as great attention to every question of public policy. that they become the very best of citizens. the children almost invariably attending public schools. I heard the gentleman here yesterday read an editorial from the Post of this city. purporting to quote a statement by some gentleman from the Austrian Parliament.