Speech #620291709

I am not responsible for the Members reading or failing to read that report. The facts are as I have stated them to be. If the distinguished Member himself has read the report of the Immigration Commission. he would know that the commission used this language in making its report: The commission as a whole recommends restriction as demanded by economic. moral. and social considerations. * * * A majority of the commission favor the reading and writing lest as the most feasible single method of restricting undesirable immigration. * * The investigations of the commission show an oversupply of unskilled labor In basic Industries to an extent which indicates an oversupply of unskilled labor in the industries of the country as a whole. and therefore demand legislation which will at the present time restrict the further admission of such unskilled labor. * * * The commission also recommended a "material increase in the head tax." So the gentleman from Missouri is mistaken in the facts when he says that the legislation now under consideration is not "ilh any way justified by the findings of that commission." It is not only justified by it but Is specifically recommended by it. The Immigration Commission recommends an increase in the head tax. The bill now before us increases it from $4 to $5. The commission recommends restriction as denmanded by economic. moral. and social considerations. and specifically indorses the reading and writing test. The bone of contention. the reading test. is embodied In the bill now before us. This and the other new restrictions I have pointed out in my remarks will lessen the number of immigrants coming to this country. and all in accord with the findings and recommendations of the Immigration Commission and not in opposition to it. as the gentleman from Missouri would have us believe. I have no bitterness in my heart toward the peoples of other lands and countries. I am not opposed to the right sort of immigrants coming to this country. In fact. we welcome them to our shores. Human nature Is pretty much the same the world over among all races and nationalities. There is not a land or country in the civilized worldno race or nationalitythat the sun sees that can not proudly boast of the brilliancy and accomplishments of at least some of its own distinguished fellow citizens. I hope the American people will never fail to recognize merit wherever it may be found. nor neglect to pay due homage to the greatness and deeds of achievement of the races and peoples of other lands and countries. America is under a debt of gratitude to and has not failed to show her appreciation of the desirable immigrants who have sought refuge and homes on her friendly coasts. Our history is full of instances of both. I will cite but a few. Carl Schurz. the "political offender" in Germany. escaped from that country and came to the United States as an alien immigrant. His merits were soon made manifest and were duly appreciated and recognized. He was elected to the United States Senate from Missouri. made a major general in Union Army during the Civil War. and was Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet of President Hayes. and he deserved them all and more. D. B. Henderson was an immigrant from Scotland. This country wvas not slow to appreciate his worth. He was made a general in the Union Army during the Civil War. was later sent to Congress for several terms. and became one of the ablest Speakers that has ever presided over the deliberations of this hlouse. Andrew Carnegie was an immigrant to this country. He borrowed the money to come on. but he does not have to borrow the money now to go back on. William Kelly. a Kentuckian. by the way. discovered in 1851.