Speech #680107956

I do not rise for the purpose of discussing to any extent the question which will come properly before the Senate perhaps tomorrow. or upon a later day. That question. however. rises far above the fate of men or the fate of political parties. I have heretofore expressed my views upon the broad question of immigration. I have heard nothing to justify or induce me to change the views I have entertained and expressed. If. which I shall regret. if. which I shall deplore. the conferees shall report as perhaps we are justilied in anticipating. I shall raise a point of order to such report. and I shall then undertake to justify such point of order under the rules of the Senate and under accepted parliamentary principles. but over and beyond what might be calle I or what some might consider a technical objection I shall. with the indulgence of the Senate. express myself upon the merits involved in this legislation. For the moment and now I content myself with saying that immigration. or the control over the subject matter of immigration. is what has been appropriately characterized and described as a domestic question. If it be a domestic question. even as the matter of tariff. even as the matter of revenue. or any other matter Is a domestic question. then the next proposition must be true. constitutionally. legally speaking. It must be true that this domestic question is under the jurisdiction of. within the constitutional power and control of. the legislative branch of our Government. Even the dullest mind. the most perverse or egotistic mind. if such mind could lay aside its vanity and its pride. would admit that the legislative branch of our Government. represented by the House of Representatives. the Senate of the United States. and the President by virtue of his veto power. has jurisdiction over the subject matter of immigration. The House of Representatives as of now is made up of 435 Representatives. coming from as many separate districts within the 48 States of the Union. It is peculiarly proper that such a body should have a voice in determining a domestic question. one which affects the men. the women. the children of the United States.