Speech #640260995

SABATH. Mr. Speaker. three times before the immigration bill containing the literacy test has been \-etoed. three Presidents of this great and glorious country have thus properly expressed their disapproval of this unAmerican measure. The first time was in 1897. when President Cleveland refused to give his sanction to a bill containing this obnoxious provision. I shall read. for the benefit of the membership of the House. President Clevelands message returning the bill without his signature: MAitcH 2. 1897. To thfl House of Representatives: I hereby return without approval House bill No. 7804. entitled "An act to amend the immigration laws of the United States." By the first section of this bill it is proposed to amend section 1 of Ibe act of March 3. 1891. relating to immigration by adding to the classes of aliens thereby excluded from admision to the United States the following: "All persons physically capable and over 10 years of age Wiho can not read and write the English language or some othr language * " A radical departure from our national policy relating to immigrants is here presented. Heretofore we have welcomed all "who came to us from other lands except those whose moral or physical condition or history threatened danger to our national welfare and safety. Relying upon the zealous watchfulness of our people to prevent injury to our .political and social fabric. we have encouraged those coming from foreign countries to cast their. lot with us and join in the development of our vast domain. securing in return a share in the blessings of American citizenship. A centurys stupendous growth. largely due to the assimilation and thrift of mllllons.of sturdy and patriotic adopted citizens. attests the success of this generous and freehanded policy which. while guarding the peoples interests. exacts from our immigrants only physical and moral soundness and a willingness and ability to work. .A contemplation of the grand results of this policy can not fail to rouse a sentiment in its defense. for however it might have been regarded as an original proposition and viewed as an experiment. its accomplishments are such that if it Is to be uprooted at this late day its disadvantages should be plainly apparent and the substitute adopted should be just and adequate. free from uncertainties. and guarded against difficult or oppresslve administration. It is not claimed. I believe. that the time has come for the further restriction -of Immigration on the ground that an excess of population overcrowds our land. It is said. however. that the quality of recent iinigration is undesirable. The time is quite within recent mnemory when the same thing was said of immigrants who. with their descendants. are now numbered among our best citizens. A careful examination of this bill has convinced me that for the reasons given and -others not specifically stated its provisions are unnecessarily harsh and oppressive. and that its defects in construction -would cause vexation -and its operation would result in harm to our -citizens.