These figures were compiled in 1909. I have referred to the iron and steel industry merely as an illustration of what the conditions were found to be in other industries in the country. The reason that the Immigration Commission selected the educational test was that various tests were suggested. I do not know how many people recommended increasing the head tax as a bar to the admission of aliens. but that. if done at all. should be done cautiously. It is fully high enough now. in fact. it is too high. in my judgment. What we want in this country is an immigration of familiesmen who bring their wives and children with them. Those classes that make good American citizens. they are easily assimilated. they are soon inspired with American instincts and enterprise and energy. Those were the classes we were getting before 1882. Think of the character of that great English. Irish. German. and Scandinavian immigration that came to us prior to 1882. It was that immigration that helped us to open and build up the West. it was that immigration that enabled us to construct our vast system of railroads. a system that connects the two oceans and surpasses in mileage the systems of continental Europe.
Identified stereotypes
Generalizing that immigrants before 1882 were of good character, easily assimilated, and contributed to the country's development.