Mr. Chairman. I feel that the Members of the House and Senate of the United States can not. in justice to themselves. to the people they represent. or to the principles of democracy for which they stand. pass the Burnett immigration bill as it now stands. There is much in this bill that is objectionable. but the chief bone of contention. as we all know. is the clause concerning the socalled illiteracy test. Much has already been said oil the subject. and I can but add my convictions in the matter. The BurnettDillingham bill has for its object the restriction of immigration to our country. and with this object in view its authors have proposed a test of the literacy of those applying for admission to our shores. We all know that our Nation is a Nation of immigrants. immigrants were our first colonists. immigrants. those strong. sturdy people who fought for the freedom of our country and whose sons have kept that freedom intact ever since its gaining. Were these people literate or illiterate? No one stopped to ask that question. Immigrants today form the bankbone of our Nation. yet we talk of excluding these seekers of homes aud new opportunities on the grounds that they are unable to read or write. Can this be a just test of any mans ability to become an honest. industrious. and lawabiding citizen? The contention has been made that we compel our nativeborn children to attend the public schools before attaining citizenship. and we should require the foreigner to possess some substantial education before admitting him to enjoy a part of our countrys benefits.
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immigrants immigration Immigrants