Speech #590060691

Mr. Chairman. a few days ago * * * occupied the floor of this Iouse for more than an hour in an apparent effort to answer a speech previously mode by me on the subject of restrictive immigration. So far did the genthman fail to present any argument either to sustain his own position or refute the one taken by myself. that not one single line or sentence of his speech can be construed as casting any light on this important subject. If the gentleman had been a professional pilot. he could not have more successfully steered around every point at issue. and if it were not for the fact of glaringly false statements made by him reflecting on the intelligence of my people and on the honor and integrity of the courts of my State. I would not dignify his effort with a reply. But there is method in my friends madness. From a trustworthy source in this city I a advised that onehalf of the men engaged is marine immigration transportation living in the whole city are in his district. Mr. GARDnELS of Massachusetts said the other day that our greatest obstacle in passing a restriction bill would come from the ship companies. who woul die in the last ditch rather than have tie maguificent profits they are now making out of tralnsportiug immigrants both ways across the ocean curtailed. * * * who had been brought to New York by one of the steanship companies. but was refused admission and ordered to be deported more than two weeks ago. Section 2 of the act of March 3. 1903. provides that no idiot. pauper. or person likely to become a public charge. shall be admitted. Section 11 provides that the master or owner of the vessel bringing such person shall transport them together with an aittendant back to tie country from which they were brought. Section 13 provides that the commanding officer of each vessel bringing immigrants shall take an oath before an immigration oflicer at the port of entry to the effect that lie has caused the surgeon of the vessel to make a physical and ural examination of each of said aliens. and that from the report of said surgeon �and that from his own investigations lie believes that no one of said aliens is an idiot. aL pauper. or likely to become a public charge. This unfortunate woman is such a pronounced blank that ConlnissionerGeneral Sargent told me that the sores oil her legs showed she had been manacled. that she shrank from the light. indicating that she had been kept in darkness. and that she did not eat with her hands. but thrust her mouth into her plate to eat. * * * Now. who is the beneficiary of this resolution? It is not the poor unfortunate idiot. who will have to be placed in an asylum wherever she goes.