Cleveland Veto - Literacy Test for Immigrants
I
herewith return, without approval, House Bill No. 7864, entitled "An act
to amend the immigration laws of the United States."
By
the first section of this bill it is proposed to amend Section 1 of the act of
March 3, 1891, relating to immigration, "by adding to the classes of
aliens thereby excluded from admission to the United States the following: all
persons physically capable and over sixteen years of age who cannot read and
write the English language or some other language; but a person not so able to
read and write who is over fifty years of age and is the parent or grandparent
of a qualified immigrant over twenty-one years of age and capable of supporting
such parent or grandparent may accompany such immigrant, or such a parent or
grandparent may be sent for and come to join the family of a child or
grandchild over twenty-one years of age, similarly qualified and capable, and a
wife or minor child not so able to read and write may accompany or be sent for
and come and join the husband or parent similarly qualified and capable."
A
radical departure from our national policy relating to immigration is here
presented. Heretofore, we have welcomed all who came to us from other lands,
except for those whose moral or physical condition or history threatened danger
to our national welfare and safety. Relying upon the jealous watchfulness of
our people to prevent injury to our political and social fabric, we have
encouraged those coming from foreign countries to cast their lot with us and
join in the development of our vast domain, securing in return a share in the
blessings of American citizenship.
A
century's stupendous growth, largely due to the assimilation and thrift of
millions of sturdy and patriotic adopted citizens, attests to the success of
this generous and freehanded policy, which, while guarding the people's
interests, exacts from our immigrants only physical and moral soundness and
willingness and ability to work.
A
contemplation of the grand results of this policy cannot fail to arouse a
sentiment in its defense; for however it might have been regarded as an
original proposition and viewed as an experiment, its accomplishments are such
that if it is to be uprooted at this late day its disadvantages should be
plainly apparent and the substitute adopted should be just and adequate, free
from uncertainties and guarded against difficult or oppressive administration.
It
is not claimed, I believe, that the time has come for the further restriction
of immigrants on the ground that an excess of population overcrowds our land.
It
is said, however, that the quality of the recent immigration is undesirable.
The time is quite within recent memory when the same thing was said of our
immigrants who with their descendants are now numbered among our best citizens.
It
is said that too many immigrants settle in our cities, thus dangerously
increasing their idle and vicious population. This is certainly a disadvantage.
It cannot be shown, however, that it affects all our cities, nor that it is
permanent; nor does it appear that this condition, where it exists, demands as
its remedy the reversal of our present immigration policy.
The
claim is also made the influx of foreign laborers deprives of the opportunity
to work those who are better entitled than they to the privilege of earning
their livelihood by daily toil. An unfortunate condition is certainly presented
when any who are willing to labor are unemployed. But so far as this condition
now exists among our people, it must be conceded to be a result of phenomenal
business depression and the stagnation of all enterprises of which labor is a
factor. With the advent of settled and wholesome financial and economic
governmental policies and consequent encouragement of the activity of capital,
the misfortunes of unemployed labor should, to a great extent at least, be
remedied. If it continues, its natural consequences must be to check the
further immigration to our cities of foreign laborers and to deplete the ranks
of those already here. In the meantime, those most willing and best entitled
ought to be able to secure the advantages of such work as there is to do.