Speech #620138127

Now. Mr. Prestlent. it is manifest that the imposition of the literacy test will bar practically onehalf of this class of immigration. It will bar that part which by and large is the least intelligent. the least capable of being manufactured into good American citizens. and the most dangerous as a new and unassimilated element in our body politic. That consideration. it seems to me. should be controlling in favor of the inclusion of this literacy test. Mr. President. there are two special considerations that I wish to lay before the Senate in its dealing with the question whether it is desirable for us to impose this limit. One is that the coining of great numbers of these people who are wholly illiterate and who have to take. of course. the lowest rate of wages. whose minds are not open to the ordinary opportunities for bettering their condition. does tend to break down the American standard of wages. and to compel American workmen. whether they be born here or be a part of the 9.000.000 who have come in since the War with Spain. to compete with a standard of wages and a standard of yiving that they ought not to be required to compete with. Now. tlat is the reason why within a comparatively recent time the workingmen of the country who formerly were moved by sympathy with the friends they had left behind them on the other side of the ocean have now come to feel that it is essential that something be done. so that this bringing in and planting on our soil the pauper labor of Europe may be checked. and why they are asking for this legislation. I do not see. sir. how any one upon either side of this Chamber can square his conduct with his professions of a desire to promote the welfare. to improve the conditions. to contribute to the happiness of men who work with their hands in this country and refuse to check this influx of ignorant labor to compete with our workingmen and reduce them to a standard of living below that which they have at present. Mr.