Speech #630133029

EI)MONDS. Mr. Chairman. the bill before the Iouse No. 6000. known "1s the innigration bill. has aroused considerable public discussion. both favorable and unfavorable. on account of the proposed literacy test. Those opposed to the bill and those in favor of it might well be dividel into three classes--those in favor for patriotic reason. those opposed for sentimental reasons. and some in favor of the bill lrid some opposed to it for economic reasons. It would perlps be well to take up each class separately. and after studying what must be the fundamental reasons for the stand taken. place the bill in the balance for judgment. The first of these great classes are those in favor of the bill for patriotic reasons. Let us examine their contentions. They believe that It is time to call a halt upon the great numler of immigrants arriving annually. that tle admixture of races foreign to American practices and without education is detrimental to the country. that the continued influx of these people will eventually break down American institutions and cause revolution . and that the various classes of people who are now immigrating to this country have neither the moral nor intellectual standing to make good American citizens. Those opposed to the bill for sentimental reasous have an argument equally in their favor. They contend that to stop anyone from entering this country on account of being illiterate is unAlnerican. that being illiterate does not interfere with his or her intellectuality. morality. or civic worth. that in most cases illiteracy is not of ones own choosing. and that the illiterate immigrants have in the past. and will in the future. contribute their fair share of the upbuilding and expansion of our country. that this country would still be undeveloped had it not been for the many thousands of immigrants. many of them illiterate. who have been welded into a honogeneous mass to make America the greatest Nation on earth. There is a kindly feeling for those people who are suffering under burdens that their forebears were able to cast aside when they came to this country. It must be conceded by every fairminded person that both of these arguments are very strong and that the opponents of the bill .nd those in favor of it have an argument equally convincing. The economic question. however. is one that should be most carefully considered. After all. it is important to consider the public welfare of our country from this standpoint. From IS19 to 1910. inclusive. there were admitted into our country 9.555.673 immigrants. of whom 2.506.713 were without occupationincluding women and children. The remaining 7.04S.953 reported as having occupations. Of these. 234 per cent were farm laborers. 35.9 per cent were laborers. and 20.2 per cent were employed in skilled occupations. There should be no doubt in our minds that a great nmnber of our laborers employed on the farms. in our great lpublic works. or our railroads. must be recruited from this nmobile force of workmen reaching our shores almost daily. Therefore. is it possible for us to successfully continue our great public improvements without their assistance? A study of the following table. showing the countries from which immigration is now the greatest. will lead to some solution of the problem. Number Per- departFarm Skilled cent- ing for 18 9- 91 . um er ab r- Labor. S le d c nt 100 aders. oupa- age -160 d Prinripalcountrios reported.