Speech #590120395

Mr. Chairman. I have waited with very great interestI may say with eager anticipationfor an explanation by the gentleman from Massachusetts . whose name will be linked forever with this proposal. of his reazons for attempting to change so radically the policy toward immigration which we have maintained through all the years of our national existence. So far as I have been able to understand his position. it seems that he has Instituted a comparison between the number and influence of citizens who have signed petitions in favor of the measure and citizens who have expressed opposition to it. and striking a balance of popularity between them he appears to have decided its supporters are the stronger and more influential body. Now. that may be entirely satisfactory to him. it may meet fully his notions of loyalty to duty as a Representative on this floor. but I am confident a large majority of this committee are moved by a desire that justice and sound policy should govern them in dealing with this measure. rather than a desire to promote their popularity at any particular moment. In the few minutes at my disposal I shall therefore ask the committee to consider the effect of restricting immigration. and especially of restricting It by an educational test. on the substantial and moral interests of the American people. The one serious argument In favor of this proposalthe one argument that I think needs answeringis that of the gentleman from Missouri . He put the issue with a characteristic clearness. He asks if immigration should be restricted to the desirable. and if so. is an educational test the most effective method of restriction. He answers both questions in the affirmative. Eerybody here agrees that Immigration should be restricted to the desirable. but we differ radically as to the meaning of that word "desirable." If the significance of that qualification were made clear. there could be little division of opinion about the method or test most effective for establishing It. The gentleman from Massachusetts evidently considers the desirable inimigrant a man who can read. who can speak according to rules of grammar. who is trained in loquacity. That being his conception of what is desirable. the proposal he has submitted becomes intelligible to all of us. even though to many of us it is objectionable. We who oppose the educational test believe the man who works with his hands. who is trained to efficiency in labor. is the desirable immigrant. The test we wish to impose is one that will establish his ability and his willingness to work. Now. the gentleman from Missouri suggests that we who oppose this restriction favor the admission of ignorance in order that it may be worked.