Speech #610099079

I do not want to stand for a. moment in the way of the proposed legislation. I think it is so very important concerning the moral life and health of this country that I shall be glad to see it passed without any obstruction in the way. but. nevertheless. the attention of the committee Is now called to this pointthat under the law as it exists today. as I understand the fact. there is a provision which permits quite a number of classes of people afflicted with those contagious diseases. from which we are trying by legislation to protect the people of the United States. to enter this country. It is evident that the State of New York. or the State of Massachusetts. or any other State where the immigrants come in great numbers. can prevent all this by their police regulations. We can only prevent it by the commerceregulation clause. but certainly the State of New York. into which twothirds of these immigrants come. can provide against the admittancenotwithstanding the power of the United States to regulate comnerceof any persons afflicted with contagious or moral disease. They have a right to do that. it has been affirmed by the court several times. and it Is not necessary to discuss it. but as we are legislating as to a matter under the regulation of commerce. I think it is proper that the attention of the committee should be called to this phase of it. and if no steps are taken today to correct it.