Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/208

 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

who, according to their opinion, would not be allowed to land in America. Thus it is seen that, by the Italian government's work, all elements which could menace law and order in the United States are removed from the emigratory stream, while the con- sular physicians see to it that it is freed from those individuals who might imperil the public health. The insignificant number refused access by the United States authorities is composed of the few who at times succeed, owing to the enormous number embark- ing, in eluding the vigilance of the Italian authorities and the inspection of the consular physicians.

The preceding data therefore authorize the statement that the Italian immigration into the United States is vigorous and desir- able from the physical point of view, and pure and healthy from the moral point of view.

The question of education now presents itself. Analytical investigation of the Italian immigration from this point of view gives the following results :

TABLE XI

YEAR

ILLITERATES OVER FOURTEEN YEARS

PERCENTAGE OF ILLITERATES IN TOTAL IMMIGRATION

Northern Italians

Southern Italians

Total

Northern

Southern

Total

1901 1992 1903 1904

3,122 3,556 4,283 4J50

58,493 76,529 84,512 74,889

6l,6lS 80,085 88,795 75,039

14.12 12.87 11.45 11.31

50-55 5O.OO

43-09 47.00

45-44 44-35 38.01 40.32

The progressive improvement in regard to primary instruc- tion is evident. The year 1901 shows a proportion of over 45 per cent, of illiteracy; the year 1904, about 40 per cent. Neverthe- less, illiteracy remains a characteristic disadvantage of the Italian immigrants, especially those from southern Italy. The difference of intellectual conditions between the north and south of Italy is the result of long years of misgovernment and neglect in the provinces of southern Italy. Although in these provinces, as well as in the whole of Italy, the law of compulsory elementary educa- tion is now in force, yet complex circumstances, among which