Grover Cleveland: “I regard the cause of civil service reform as so firmly established and its value so fully demonstrated.”

This requirement proceeds upon the assumption that the foreign relatives coming here are in every case, by reason of poverty, liable to become a public charge unless the immigrant is capable of their support.

It is not claimed, I believe, that the time has come for the further restriction of immigration on the ground that an excess of population overcrowds our land.

To the Senate: In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 24th ultimo, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State.

The time is quite within recent memory when the same thing was said of immigrants who, with their descendants, are now numbered among our best citizens.