Speech #640067293

I desire to be called when I have used eight minutes. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. there are some Members who are under the impression. in view of what has been stated. that I am in favor of repealing all of our immigration laws. or that we should have no laws on immigration. That is not true. I desire to say that I believe outside of three or four provisions in this bill that this is a good bill. and I believe a good deal will be accomplished if the bill be enacted into law providing we eliminate the educational test. The literacy test provided in the bill will not serve. as I stated frequently. to keep out the viciously inclined. the criminal. or otherwise undesirable alien. Experience has demonstrated the fact that with the educational facilities afforded in this land thousands of illiterates who. unhappily. were denied educational opportunities in their native lands. have learned to read and write here and have shown eagerness to acquire knowledge and fit themselves to become good citizens.. In my opinion the desirable immigrant is the healthy. lawabiding worker. who comes to this country in good faith. and the undesirable immigrant is the clever and educated schemer who immediately upon his arrival begins to find fault with our institutions. We agree that the criminal. the insane. and mentally defective. the pauper. the morally unfit. and those who are incapable of earning a living. ought. as the existing law now provides. to be barred. We know from experience that the educational test would inflict an unjust hardship upon some of the elements which we can not class among the undesirables. IMARtcu 25. The literacy test is neither the test of fitness nor of character. It is opposed to principles upon which our Governmentwas founded and to the high t raditions which have always been maintained in the American Republic. It is beyond dispute that miany of the socalled illiterates come from countries where .they have been compelled to live under laws which are oppressive. cruel. and unjust.