Grover Cleveland: “The question is whether we are prepared to adopt this principle and establish this precedent.”

I anticipate that better and more uninterrupted commerce, through the plan suggested, between the great West and foreign ports, with the increase of national prosperity which must follow in its train, will not long escape American…

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

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.

I am constrained to withhold my approval of the bill under consideration.