In other words. while they furnish a little more than oneseventh of our population. they furnish about onethird of our criminals. It should also be stated that the number of Illiterates over 14 years of age who came to the United States in 1904 was 172.856. and the number of illiterates in 1905. 239.091. or an increase of Illiterates of 66.235 in one year. Senators may speak conservatively and kindly about Immigration to the United States. but I believe that the facts which I have stated are alarming. I believe they need attention by Congress. The question of restricting immigration Is very important and calls for the exercise of conservatism and judicious legislation. De Toequeville. with farseeing vision. wrote of American immigration nearly threefourths of a century ago. "No power on earth can close upon immigrants that fertile country which offers resources to all industries and a refuge from all whnt." His declaration has grown in importance until people in every part of the civilized world are watching the prosperity. growth. progress. and attractions of our great country. and as the years roll by the desire of foreigners to come to our country grows and increases. The Senator from Colorado spoke with great force and appropriateness on the progress and prosperity of our country. and I heard him with much pleasure. While we should always be ready to welcome desirable and worthy immigrants. we should remember our duty to our fellowmen. and we should keep constantly in mind that our duty Is to our own people and our own country. We have received millions of strangers within our gates and treated them as friends and brothers. The law of selfprotection. which is the first law of nature. is now becoming of pressing and conspicuous importance. I believe in the elevation and the betterment of mankind in all lands and among all races. and all men deserve credit who work to advance civilization and Christianity. but we should not imperil our own household or detract from our own superb citizenship. The report of the CommissionerGeneral of Immigration discloses the fact that undesirable immigration is largely due to the methods of steamship companies and their agents that ply their unlawful practices of getting immigrants for the gain of transportation. Every person who has watched the trend of passenger steamship traffic between the United States and European ports within the past few years. and especially within the past year. has been impressed by the increase in the number of sailing vessels. and especially by the marked increase in the sailing vessels to and from Mediterranean ports. It has been announced that the White Star Line has inaugurated a new service between the Mediterranean ports and the United States. and the Cunard Line has entered into competition for the steerage traffic from southern Europe and northern Africa and Asia and has closed a contract with the AustroHungarian Government by which.the Cunard ships are guaranteed 30.000 immigrants from AustriaHungary every year. Complaint was made against this contract. and it has since been modified. A new line of steamers has been established between Odessa.and New York.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants are largely illiterate and pose a threat to American society.