Mr. Chairman. I am opposed to the bill now before the House for its consideration because it contains the literacy test. Such a test is not only undesirable but it is. in my judgment. unfair and unreasonable. and it violates every principle of justice and fair dealing. It violates the principle that this country shall be a refuge and asylum for the oppressed of other lands. a principle that we were all taught at school and at home to revere and cherish. The only questions with which we should concern ourselves respecting the immigrant are those that concern his health. his morals. and the condition of his mind. We should rigidly exclude as undesirables the criminal. the insane. the permanently disabled. the diseased. and all others who are likely to become charges on our communities. And I believe we have at this time ample provisions in our statutes to meet such cases. I would have no opposition to offer to this measure with the literacy test stricken out. We heard a great deal here yesterday about the vetoes of President Cleveland and President Taft. and the gentleman from Alabama sought to excuse the veto of President Cleveland. and said that conditions were different at that time. But.
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immigrant literacy test