Speech #630386066

The limitation of the number of each race arriving each year to a certain percentage of the average of that race arriving during a given period of years. 3. The exclusion of unskilled laborers unaccompanied by wives or families. 4. The limitation of the number of Immigrants arriving annually at any port. 5. The material Increase In the amount of money required to be In the possession of the immigrant at the port of arrival. 6. The material Increase of the head tax. 7. The levy of the head tax so as to make a marked discrimination In favor of men with families. Those who have drafted this bill have selected the first method designated by the commission. In my judgment. they1 ought to have selected the second method. to wit: The limitation of the number of each race arriving each year to a certain percentage ofthe average of that race arriving during a given period of years. While I am not an expert. and have not given nearly as much attention to the subject as others. particularly those who .were members of the commission. in conversation with members of the commission who have made this very exhaustive study I am informed that the second method suggested would result. first. In limiting immigration to the same extent as it will be limited by the first suggestion and the one adopted In the bill. and. second. that it would keep out the same class of people. immigrants coming from the same sources. as will be kept out by the Illiteracy test. We have several. exceptions In the bill. but there Is one in particular of which I want to speak. It Is that those who are escaping or attempting to escape from religious persecution. if otherwise qualified under the bill. shall not be excluded on account of the illiteracy test.