Grover Cleveland: “It could not, therefore, by any possibility be of the least benefit to him, but, on the other hand, might jeopardize his…”

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.

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.

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.