Grover Cleveland: “I return without approval House bill No. 5234, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Cyrenius G. Stryker.'”

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.

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

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.

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.