Speech #590120352

Now. if that applies to the people here at home. no matter whence they came. no matter how long they have been here. does it not apply. and ought it not to apply. to people seeking to come in from abroad? Let us see if here we can make the application. That the reading test would exclude some who are desirable immigrants there can be no doubt. but that it would also exclude many more who are not desirable. I think. is equally beyond the possibility of dispute. This is not an idle proposition. nor can that be idle which will give more of good and less of harm. will be most reasonable. and an effective agency to secure to us the better classes of those who seek these shores. and exclude the less desirable elements. Will not the man who is able to stand that reading test prove more desirable than the man who can not read in any language or dialect? I believe this test. coupled with other tests. will tend to give better results from immigration. will tend to hold American citizenship to the standard upon which our institutions rest. that of the intelligence and virtue of the people. I believe the section JUNE. 25t ought to be retained. I believe it would be unwise and injurious to the legislation to strike it out. I do not care to turn aside from the real question by trying to argue as to whether or not we ought to admit an ignorant class of immigrants merely because they can work. Now. what is that proposition when you come to dwell upon it? Do gentlemen desire the introduction of an ignorant class becasuse they can be put to work. because they can be "bossed" in their work. because they can be used by the evil agencies of this country. because they may be marshaled to stand against the free. intelligent. homeloving. reputable laboring citizenship of this country?