Speech #700124910

They are doing a great deal of good. but we do not repeal these other laws because they are not enforced perfectly. I should think that the recent election would serve notice upon the country generally that the people of the United States have not any idea of repealing our prohibition statute or of disturbing the eighteenth amendment. I rose particularly to reply to the speech of the Senator from Mississippi . who hugs to his breast the delusion that the immigration question is no longer a serious question in our country. Let not the Senator from Mississippi deceive himself. I know something about the immigration law and how it came to be in effect. I was in the House when we fought to cut down immigration from a million and a quarter a year to about 300.000. as we have it now. I know of the obstacles that we encountered. and I know the group that opposed it at every step. Governor Al Smith is not for restricted immigration. He never has been for restricted immigration. In the campaign which recently closed so disastrously to him and in some respects to the party. he did try to say about what Mr. Hoover said. after Hoover said it first. He was desirous of getting votes. he wanted to get elected. and of course his group that has always opposed restricted immigration in America was lying low upon that subject in this particular campaign. But I want the Senator from Mississippi to know that there are those of us who understand this question. and understand the elements in America that are not in favor of the American viewpoint upon immigration. The Senator from Mississippi can not lull anybody to sleep by the suggestion that the immigration question is no longer a serious question in America. I will tell you. if you want me to. how this bill became a law. It became a law by the southern Democrats and the western Republicans uniting and voting for it.