Speech #620231106

Not just now.- A resolution making the Burnett immigration bill. a general restrictive bill. a special order. The Committee on Rules has considered dozens of special orders which have been brought to their attention subsequent to that lime. and if we are not at this session to have consideration of general restrictive immigration legislation it should not be placed upon an incorrect excuse or attributed to a false reason. A suggestion has been made to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois that during his Speakership .a similar bill was reported. and the Committee on Rules of the Republican House would not act upon it. It is true. and just about that time organizations interested in the advancemuent and passage of general restrictive immigration legislation wrote to the Members of the House of Representatives asking how they stood on such legislation. They began at the top. They addressed one of their communications to the honorable .Speaker of the House a little prior to March .14. and at that time the Speaker replied: I am in favor of all just. proper. and rational legislation along the lines of regulating foreign immigration. but am not in favor of every proposition to restrict foreign immigration that may be proposed. Undoubtedly the right sort of immigration is desirable and the wrong sort ought to be shut out.