Senator Chandler's Bill against immigration was presented to the Senate
on January 5th. It provides that an intending emigrant must obtain a passport from the United States Consul at the port of departure, and must prove that he can read and write his own language ; that he possesses enough to maintain himself for two months, the maximum required being £20; and that he is not physically unfit for manual labour. The Bill also provides for better accommodation in emigrant vessels, more cubic air space for each passenger, and more ventilation ; that is, in other, words, it orders all shipping companies to charge more for emigrant passages. The Bill will almost certainly pass, being much more moderate than other proposed Bills, and will greatly check immigration into the Union from the Continent, the discretion left to the Consuls being, in fact, almost absolute. Whether employers of labour will like its inevitable effects, is, however, another matter, which, as they command many votes, will probably be dis- cussed with some beat.
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