Orleans County Louisiana Archives News.....Italian Immigrants in New Orleans 1898 - Article 7 of 9 October 28, 1898
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Stephanie Lynn slynn@plexusweb.com August 17, 2023, 12:38 pm

The Times Picayune October 28, 1898
The Times Picayune - October 28, 1898, Page 8
THIRTEEN OUT OF THIRTEEN HUNDRED,

The Record of Rejection Among the Italian Immigrants,
--
Though Twenty Others Are Still Under Consideration.
--
The Weather Bureau Deliver the Frost on Time
--
Postmaster Pitkin Names Indest His Secretary - The Machetes of the Cane Fields.

Of the 1369 Sicilians brought to this port aboard the steamship Bolivia Tuesday,
only thirty-three, up to last evening, had been refused permission to land. Of these
thirty-three, the United States inspectors excluded thirteen, who will be returned
to their native country, while the remainder, twenty in number, were set aside for
further examination, which will be held today. 

The special board of inquiry met yesterday on board of the Bolivia to hear and
determine the cases of 133 immigrants, who had been set aside for further
investigation. Inspector L.H. Robinson was chairman of the board, and inspectors N.
J. Arbeely, of New York; E.P. Prudhomme, of New Orleans, with inspector E.B. Holman,
of New York, secretary, completed the board. Mr. Holman acted as secretary, on
account of his proficiency as a stenographer, and in order to be able to make a
final and accurate report to the department at Washington. 

Every one of the 133 Sicilians were examined, and when the investigation closed at
4pm, ninety-eight had taken their departure, having proven satisfactorily that they
had relatives and friend in this city who would see that they shall not become a
public charge. The twenty who were temporarily detained will have to give conclusive
evidence today of ability to earn their own living, and they must also be vouched
for by friends residing in New Orleans, otherwise they will be kept aboard the
Bolivia, and will go back to Italy when the steamship will sail hence. 

Thirteen were excluded altogether, because of their having no money, no friends, or
relatives to vouch for them, and they will be returned to their native land. 

There are two stowaways on the Bolivia. They were duly reported to the inspectors by
Captain Craig, commander of the vessel, and were safely and securely “stowed away”
again, under guard, so that there will be no possibility of their escaping. The
stowaways will also go back to Italy without having had the privilege of touching
the soil of Louisiana. 

Inspector Holman will, as soon as the twenty cases are disposed of today, prepare
his report, which will be somewhat lengthy, especially in regard to rejected
immigrants, whose examination is reported in full. 

The board of inquiry does not sit as a court to debar the landing of immigrants,
but, on the contrary, it is disposed to deal fairly, considerately, and liberally
with the newcomers. The immigration laws, and the alien labor law lay down certain
rules whereby immigrants must be accepted or rejected. There are classes which it
would not be desirable to admit - paupers, idiots, insane persons and such
individuals as are likely to become a charge on the community; also persons imported
under contract to work in this country. 

The law lays down general propositions as to excluded classes, but the inspectors
may exercise their own judgement to suit individual cases, as for instance when a
young, strong and healthy immigrant acknowledges that he has little or no money, but
he has relatives or friends in this city who are ready to stand security that he
will not become a charge on the people, and that he will be given work as soon as he
is allowed to land. In such a case, the immigrant is permitted to go free. On the
other hand, the inspectors might exclude a newcomer even if he has money, if, in
their judgment, that particular person might eventually become a burden on the
community. Long experience in the business often qualifies an inspector to guage
accurately the character and peculiarities of the person he has under examination. 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/orleans/newspapers/italiani816gnw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/

File size: 4.5 Kb