Mr. Gresham to
Baron Fava.
Department of State,
Washington
,
May 7,
1894
.
Dear Baron Fava: Referring to your personal
note to me of the 19th ultimo, in regard to the condition of the Italian
immigrants who fall into the hands of speculators, I have the pleasure
to inclose for your information copy of a letter from Mr. Carlisle in
response to the communication which I addressed to him on the
subject.
In addition, permit me to refer to my colleague’s statement that “under
the alien contract-labor law, if proper evidence could be procured,
these immigrants could be prevented from landing, and the padroni
bankers or employés could be punished for bringing them here under
contract.” Mr. Carlisle shows how difficult it is to obtain from the
immigrants themselves information which would enable the rigid
requirements of our law to be enforced as respects the padroni.
This suggests that a remedy might lie, to a great extent, with the
Italian consuls, who, being better situated to ascertain from their
deluded countrymen the practices to which they have been subjected,
could doubtless bring to the knowledge of the Treasury officers
sufficient data upon which to act in enforcement of our laws in this
regard. Should they do so, I can assure you of the most cordial
cooperation of our agents.
I quite agree with Mr. Carlisle touching the impracticability of meeting
the problem through specially organized bureaus of labor.
Feeling sure that my colleague’s views will commend themselves to your
good judgment,
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Carlisle to
Mr. Gresham.
Treasury Department,
Washington
,
May 4,
1894
. (Received May 5.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your
favor transmitting a personal note from the Italian ambassador at
this capital, pointing out the objectionable character of the
contracts made with Italian immigrants by the “padroni,” and urging
our Government to take steps to prevent their enforcement, and
suggesting the establishment of bureaus of labor recognized by the
Government.
In reply I have to say that the subject of what is known as the
padrone system, by which Italian immigrants voluntarily surrender
their individual liberty to designing men, in order to procure money
to pay their passage to the United States, and enter into contracts
to pay them for obtaining work, whereby they become personal serfs,
controlled by rapacious men who rob them of a large part of the
fruits of their labor, has received the serious attention of this
Department and the Congress of the United States; and the necessity
of the adoption of some effective measure for the suppression of
these practices is generally recognized. You can assure the
ambassador of my willingness to cooperate with his Government to the
full extent of the power of this Department in eradicating the
evil.
[Page 368]
Under the alien contract labor law, if proper evidence could be
procured, these immigrants could be prevented from landing, and the
padroni bankers or employés could be punished for bringing them here
unaer contract; and as far as possible these laws are being rigidly
enforced. The great difficulty encountered is the inability of the
authorities to secure evidence to make out a case against either the
immigrant or the padroni. These contracts are made in Italy with
illiterate people in almost abject poverty, who willingly barter
their personal liberty in order to procure the means necessary to
enable them to come to America to better their condition. The
contract once entered into, which is frequently done in the presence
of a priest, who is generally the friend of the padroni, these
immigrants will not violate it, and upon arrival here will, under
oath, deny its existence; and unless they come within some of the
other prohibited classes, the inspectors are obliged to land
them.
The establishment of bureaus of labor, which would secure work for
these misguided people under Government control, might be an
efficient remedy for the evil if such a system was lawful or
practicable. I fear that not one of these immigrants would willingly
violate his compact, made before leaving his own country, but would,
immediately after landing, report to his padroni who had advanced
the money to pay his passage. If the bureaus of labor are to be
under governmental control for the purpose of restraining these
people, and sending them, to fields of labor against their will, it
would be such a restraint as would be incompatible with our
principles of self-government.
We have at present, in connection with the immigrant depot at Ellis
Island, an employment bureau where immigrants of all nationalities
are invited to come and apply for work; and this is taken advantage
of by all nationalities except Italians.
I suggest that you extend to the ambassador an invitation to visit
the immigration depot at Ellis Island, in the harbor of New York,
with Mr. Stump, Superintendent of Immigration, and there witness the
inspection of Italian immigrants upon arrival, and ascertain how
many of them could be induced to give up their preconceived plans
and intentions.
I am of the opinion that the Italian Government could materially
assist us by sending emissaries into the districts from which
emigrants principally leave, and through the press, and by speeches
and personal contact with those who can not read, warn them of the
evils of the padrone system.
Respectfully, yours,
