Speech #640069791

Mr. Cimiman. I desire a few minutes to call the attention of the House to what I conceive to be the constitutional power of Congress to regulate and control the conditions under which foreign vessels may bring immigrants to this country. The power. thnt the Constitution grants to Congress over foreign commerce is absolute. Tiere is no limitation whatever. It is within the power of Congress to prohibit.any foreign ships coming to our shores. It is within the power of Congress to make any condition that it desires upon I .which vessels may enter our ports and upon which vessels may be allowed to clear from our ports. It is within the power of Congress to pass any laws that they may deem wise or .advisable regulating the conditions under which emigrants may be brought to this country. I can conceive of no condition that might arise that would interfere in the slightest degree with the full exercise of this power. except one. and that may be treaty agreements with foreign nations. There is no other limitation that can be placed on the power of Congress to absolutely regulate these matters. So. when gentlemen talk about the foreign vessels being foreign territory. which we could not invade for the purpose of inspecting immigrants. they are laboring under a misapprehension regarding the power of Congress. We can say that no such .vessels shall enter our ports unless they allow inspectors to be placed on the vessels at the port of departure and that they be allowed to inspect the emigrants on the voyage over. We can impose any regulation of that character that we deem wise or expedient. So Congress need feel no hesitancy in imposing any judicious law thei think right on a vessel entering or clearing our ports that goes to the protection of the immigrant or of the people of the United States. Nearly all the immigrants coming to this country are brought here on foreign vessels. Naturally. these foreign steamship companies want to be as free as possible from restraint and control by this country. Instead of that being a reason why we should allow them relief from suryeillance. we should consider it a reason why we should subject such commerce to control. In our own interest and in the interest of humanity. I am glad to anticipate that if this bill becomes a law the conditions of the immigrant will be materially improved and our own country will be further protected from undesirable immigrants. Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island was recognized.