Grover Cleveland: “Upon the merits of the case I am of the opinion the judgment of the examining board ought not to be reversed.”

A radical departure from our national policy relating to immigration is here presented.

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…

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.

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.