Why agriculturists? Have not the farmers of the United States hard times enough that especial competition should now be forced upon them? There is no assurance. however. that these immigrants will remain on the farm. and everyone knows that we already have enough idle workmen. I can not consent. Mr. President. to allow men to come in here to compete solely with farmers. I would not consent at this time to their coming in to compete with labor under existing conditions. because charity begins at home. Why. sir. we are amending our immigration laws for the benefit of our own people. We have quite a problem on our own hands at this minute. a big problem. Help the Belgians. as you ought. Every generous American is now helping that torn and distracted people. but in the meanwhile do not add to the distress of our own people. Do not complicate more our already perplexed foreign relations. Do not undermine our beneficent law against alien contract labor. At a time when a million idle. hungry American laborers are pleading fdr work in order that they may have bread. let us not add to their misery and despondency by legislating. competition upon them. I must know more about this scheme of contracting with foreign laborers and be convinced of the magnitude of the proposed blessings to be conferred by this amendment before I can give it my support.
Keywords matched
immigrants immigration contract labor