Speech #620266916

As a general rule I have alhays been opposed. ever since I have been a Member of this House. to these special rules. and I can see no reason why one should be adopted now. On next Wednesday. in the regular order. the Corinittee on Immigration will be reached. and this bill can then come up in the usual and regular way and receive fair consideration and proper time can be had to debate its provisions and the various piases that underlie the subject. Nothing has arisen which calls for urgency in this matter. There is no emergency which requires this bill to be rushed through the House. The Committee on Immigration held many hearings on this bill and a number of men from different sections of the country. representing diverse views. came before that committee. both in favor and in opposition to the measure. There has come no one. so far as I am aware. from the city of New York. into which city come the largest proportion of the immigrants to this land. who have favored restriction of immigration. On the contrary. the sentiments of those who came from the city and appeared before the committee were in vigorous opposition to the bill. The rule is drastic in its provisions. and under it we can not have that freedom of debate. that unlimited discussion which could be obtained if in the regular order of things the bill came before the House. Highly important legislation awaits the attention of this body. and yet with undue haste it is proposed that this bill to restrict immigration be hurried through. The