Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee. the committee has just voted down a proposition to permit the immigrant to be heard in the open. You have voted to lock him up* behind closed doors and administer to him a grilling and a crossexamination. which. In my opinion. is absolutely at variance with decency and justice and even common politeness. I am very sorry to see the temper of this House expressed in favor of conduct which can not be justified according to the standards to which I give my devotion. The amendment that I have just offered does not provide that the hearing shall be public. but it simply provides that the poor immigrant. If he desires it. may be represented by counsel. and I again appeal to the gentlemen in this Chamber and ask them if that is not a fair provision. Is it asking too much for a man who comes a stranger to a strange land to allow him to be represented by counsel. paid for out of iis own pocket or out of the pockets of his friends?
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