Speech #620267236

Does the farmers son stay on the farm? My observation is that he is anxious to live in our cities. When you look around for mien to do the work that the immigrant now does you will find very few to do it if tihlis bill becomes a law. The foundation for our present Bureau of Immigration was an act approved July 4. 1864. a most fitting day. which itself suggests freedom to worthy and downtrodden human beings.. It was introduced by Mr. Washburne. a Representative from my State. wio served in this body for 16 years. 1Ie was a friend of Lincoln. also Secretary of State under Grant. President Lincoln. in his message to Congress. December 6. 1S64. speaking in reference to this act that had for its object the encouragement of immigration. states: The act passed at the last session for tile encouragement of lmmigra. tion has. so far as was possible. been put in operation. It seems to need amendment which will enable the officers of the Government to prevent the practice of frauds against the immigrants while on their way and on their arrival in the ports. so as to secure them here a free choice of avocations and places of settlement. A liberal disposition toward this great national pclicy is manifested by most of the Earopean States. and ought to be reciprocated on our part by giving the immiigrants effective national protection. I REGAna OuR IMMIGRANTS AS ON) OF TIE PRINCIPAL REPrLEN SIIING STIREAMS WlHICl ARE APrOINTED PY