Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1899 — IMMIGRATION TO BE CHECKED. [ARTICLE]

IMMIGRATION TO BE CHECKED.

Laws Asked to Protect Island Posses* sions from Imported Labor. The annual report of Commissioner General Powderly of the bureau of immigration makes recommendations for legislation of a comprehensive scope which will enable the bureau effectually to protect the citizens of the United States from the evils of increasing emigration of an indiscriminate character. While the total arrivals reported reach the number of 311,715, exceeding those reported foT the preceding year by 82,416, the opinion is expressed that at least 25,000 were not listed in the above number through a defect in the law, as well as an indeterminate number from Canada and Mexico who are not under existing regulations accounted for. The increase over the figures for last year is represented' largely by immigration from Europe, specifically from Italy, Austria-Hungary and the Russian empire and Finland. In addition to 796 paupers and 303 alien contract laborers debarred on the Canadian and Mexican borders, there were refused admission 1 idiot, 19 insane persons, 2,599 paupers or persons likely to become public charges, 348 diseased persons, 8 convicts, 82 assisted immigrants and 741 contract laborers, making a total of 3,798. Efforts were made to extend the application of the immigration laws and regulations to Hawaii and the islands of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines. A bill was prepared to accomplish this object as to Hawaii, but failed of enactment. Unofficial information has been received that since the annexation of tho said territory July 6, 1898, 25,000 Japanese coolies have been imported to work its sugar plantations. With regard to the islands now held by military occupation as a result of the war with Spain, the opinion is expressed that the prompt extension of the immigration laws to them by order of the Secretary of War will avoid many embarrassments which would otherwise arise in this connection.