Speech #660282894

I have simply nmade use of machinery I have found here which I have not been able thus far to remove. and have utilized for the perfornace of a duty to myself. to the Congress. and to the people of the United States. With one exception I am opposed to embargoes absolutely. although I shall have some amendments to the embargo bill which passed the House yesterday when it comes over. I am in favor of a temporary embargo on the indiscriminate itsmigration now flooding this country with hundreds of thousands of immigrants per lnonth. most of them undesirable. If we really want to stem the tide of depressing conditions. and particularly to aid those American workmen who are today out of employment. we should prohibit immigration into the United States for the next year. They are not only taking the bread out of the mouths of and competing with the workmen of this country still engaged in gainful pursuits. but they are threatening the very fabric of our civilization. Of course. I do not mean this statement to apply to all those who are coaning. nor to the many good naturalized citizens we have in this country. But when I reflect that the great steamship companies. both of the United States and of the Old World. in their eagerness and greed for gain. are rounding up and crowding immigrants of all nationalities into every nook and corner of every steamship plying between the two continents. and dumping them upon our shores at the rate of millions per annum. when I further reflect that the Commissioner of Immigration warns us that 12.000.000 of these people. no matter how disreputable. will come as soon as they can secure accommodations. I say. Mr.