Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1891 — IMMIGRATION. [ARTICLE]

IMMIGRATION.

The Report of the Select Committee on Immigration* and Naturalization and the record of the testimony taken has been issued from the document rooms at Washington. The work is voluminous having about 1100 pages and containing statistical information of great value. The testimony of Terrence V. Powderly and Samuel Gompers of the Jhbor organizations are extensive and interesting. There are many diverse opinions expressed by the various witnesses but the most popular idea and one ad vocated by the labor organizations is that favoring liberal treatment of voluntary immigrants with a rigid law against contract .and pauper labor. Samuel Gompers coni plained of the defects

in the present law passed four years ago. He claimed that provisions for its enforcement were lacking and that a proper sentiment did not back it. If it were given out in foreign countries that objectionable immigration would be prevented, that abuse would cease. He commended the rigid surveillance and efforts made to prevent the violation of the tariff law and thought that an equal effort should be made to prevent the importation of contract labor. The investigation has already accomplished much good in calling attention to the defects in enforcement of the old law. The new bill will certaintly prove satisfactory. Hon. W. D. Owen has acquired a national reputation in the work he has so faithfully performed and the report will be an object of pride to himself as well as to his friends. —Lcgansport Journal