two houses of Congress, in making those investigations which they may deem necessary to wise legislation, to the powers which an English court has ascribed to British colonial legislatures; the power of superintending the judiciary of the States, of annulling their judgments and of commanding them what judgments to render; the power of denying to Congress the power to raise revenue by a method employed by all governments; making the fundamental sovereign powers of government, such as the power of taxation, the subject of mere barter between corrupt legislatures and private adventurers; holding that a venal legislature temporarily invested with power may corruptly bargain away those essential attributes of sovereignty, and for all time; that corporate franchises bought from corrupt legislatures are sanctified and placed forever beyond recall by the people; that great trusts and combinations may place their yoke upon the necks of people of the United States, who must groan forever under their weight, without remedy and without hope; that trial by jury and the ordinary criminal justice of the States which ought to be kept near the people are to be set aside and Federal court injunctions substituted therefor; that those injunctions extend to preventing laboring men from quitting their employment, although they are liable to be discharged by their employers at any hour, thus creating and perpetuating a state of slavery. There is danger that the people will see these things all at once; see their enrobed judges doing their thinking on the side of the rich and powerful; see them look with solemn cynicism upon the sufferings of the masses nor heed the earthquake when it begins to rock beneath their feet; see them present a spectacle not unlike that of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. There is danger that the people will see all this at one sudden glance, and that the furies will then break loose, and that all hell will ride on their wings. These were the words of a very wise and just judge. There are those who will heed them and there are those who will mock at them. To my brother judges who may hear them to-night, or who may read them, I would cite the instance of the 10 virgins of whom Supreme Wisdom said: "And five of them were wise and five of them werenot." O JEWISH IMMIGRANTS REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PRESENTED BY MR. O'GORMAN WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE REPORTED BY MR. CHILTON. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Resolved, That an article presented in the Senate by the Senator from New York (Mr. O'Gorman) March 24, 1914, entitled "Illiteracy Among Jewish Immigrants and Its Causes," be printed as a public document. Attest: JAMES M. BAKER, Secretary. LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 170 BROADWAY, March 18, 1914. MY DEAR SENATOR: In connection with the proposed immigration bill a committee of the National Jewish Immigration Council was appointed to examine into the question of illiteracy among Jewish immigrants and its causes. It went into the matter thoroughly and prepared the inclosed document, which I send to you in the hope that it may be of some service to you. In any event, will you be able to submit it to the Senate in such form that it may become a Senate document and be printed? If there are any other facts with reference to the provisions of the bill in which I may be able to be of service to you, I trust you will not hesitate to call upon me. I remain, very sincerely, yours, Hon. JAMES A. O'GORMAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. ABRAM J. ELKUS. 3 |