Speech #630381801

The existing law might. be conceded to be inadequate for the purposes intended. Some such amendments of that law as proposed in this bill ought to be had. The inability to meet the literacy test of itself. though. furnishes no adequate reason why a man ought to be excluded. .1 can not for my part see wherein it improves our population. leaving outside entirely the question of discussing the right of asylum in this country. on the ground. alone of improving our population. enabling us to people our country with those whom we adialt of a desirable kind. The literacy test of itself does not exclude any of the undesirables. nor does it permit any of the desirables to come in who would not otherwise be admitted if this test were out of the bill. The mere fact that the literacy test can be met when the person applies to be admitted does not decide his character. The criticism made of the character test that I have heard a great many times is that it is impracticable . that it can not be applied. If we can stamp upon each article of merchandise brought from abroad the country of its origin. appraise its value. pass it through the customhouse. charge the responsibility on our consuls and fdreign officers abroad of seeing that the proper appraisements are made. that invoices are prepared. and. no fraud coammittedif this can extend to the smallest article of merchandise before it is turned loose in our markets. it seems to me that the care of this Government could be so exercised through its officers abroad that a human being might himself be inventoried and appraised and his true value. based upon his character abroad. where he is known. be stamped upon him in some indubitable way. so that when he presents himself for admission the character test. outside 6f the literacy test. which is the one proposed in this bill. might be the broader or better test that would admit or exclude him.