Grover Cleveland: “I return without approval Senate bill No. 2370, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Sarah C. Anderson and children…”

I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of January 23, 1897, a report from the Secretary of State, accompanied by copies of the correspondence therein requested, relating to the Nicaraguan Canal or the Maritime Canal…

The ability to read and write, as required in this bill, in and of itself affords, in my opinion, a misleading test of contented industry and supplies unsatisfactory evidence of desirable citizenship or a proper apprehension of the…

Though it seems to be clear that the consul-general should have professional aid in such investigation, that matter, together with the selection of the particular persons to act with him, properly devolves upon my successor in office.

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.