I favor the enforcement of the law which looks to their exclusion. But surely because a man. woman. or child happens to be illiterate does not by any means imply that he or she belong to either of these excludable classes. Go to the great centers of population among the immigrant classes and see how illiteracy decreases. as many of these inlmigrants avail themselves of the opportunity held out to them to learn to read and write. I heard the gentleman from Illinois describe the conditions in his city tespecting the foreign born. their progress and advancement. I come from the city of New. York. which abounds with multitudes of the foreign born. Aided by their contribution of thrift and industry. energy and perseverance. my city has grown in wealth and position. in power and in influence. and we who come from that cosmopolitan city. teeming with the myriads of people of almost evdry nationality. do not in any way share the fears about the influx of immigration so freely expressed on this floor by the advocates of the bill. I have at all times been a supporter and advocate of the cause of labor. Throughout my public career I have willingly. cheerfully. and unhesitatingly supported the measures designed for the benefit of labor and the betterment and protection of the working classes.
Keywords matched
immigration immigrant foreign born