For example. at the last election for governor In Rhode Island there were less than 1.000 votes cast for the socialist candidate. The New England States are traditionally conservative. and the large increase of foreign population during recent years has done nothing toward destroying this traditional conservatisi. The Italians are becoming naturalized rapidly aid are taking a deep and active interest in our political affairs. In the city of Providence one member of the board of aldermen and several members of the common council are of Italian descent. Several members of our State legislature and an assistant attorney general are also of Italian extraction. In examining the votes of these members of the various political bodies there is nothing to indicate that they are radical. and there is nothing to indicate that they are influenced by any racial considerations. but vote according to what they consider is for the best Interest of the country and of the State of Rhode Island. If we compare the radicalism existing in Rhode Island. where 28 per cent of our population is foreign born and largely from those countries against which this bill would discriminate. with some of the Western States. where the foreignborn population is made up largely of Nordic races. I think that we will find that there is much less radicalism in Rhode Island than there is in these Western States. The record of American soldiers of Italian parentage (luring the war has already been called to our attention on the floor of this House. and I simply wish to add that what has been said of them is borne out by the opinion of a friend of mine who. as a colonel dluring the World War. commanded a regiment which contained a large number of these soldiers from Rhode Island. and lie speaks of them as extremely brave and eflicient.
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foreign born naturalized