Speech #660331617

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. when interrupted by the rising of the committee I had hurriedly suggested that the present immigration is dangerous in numbers and character. that the numbers and the danger are increasing. that the loudly proclaimed limitation upon shipping will not protect the country. and that the povertystricken and diseased condition of many of the immigrants calls for public attention. In this connection history is again repeating itself. I read from volume 2. page 592. of the report of the Dilingham Imnigration Commission. dealing with the situation which arose from the famine in Ireland in 1845 to 1850 and the great immigration resulting from it: FamInestricken Ireland was also fever ridden. * * * the disease was carried aboard ship. where in the overcrowded and poorly ventilated steerage quarters thousands died of ship fever and thousands more survived the voyage only to die after landing. Thousands of Irish and other British emigrants died during the voyage to Canada. and at Grasse Island. near Quebec. where the Canadian quarantine station was located. as many as 7.000 emigrants perished from ship fever and cholera In 1847 alone. Many parts of Europe are now famine stricken. and some are fever ridden. Some of this fever has already come over with 33. 6