The old idea that this land is an asylum for all kinds and conditions of
men is now happily exploded. The classes of aliens now excluded are as
follows:
(a) Chinese laborers.
(b) Contract laborers.
(c) All idiots and insane persons.
(d) Paupers or persons likely to become a public charge.
(e) Persons suffering from a loathsome or contagious disease.
(f) Felons and all criminals except political offenders; (and these
latter are excluded if the penalty is removed upon condition of
immigration).
(g) Polygamists.
(h) Assisted immigrants.
(i) Abandoned women.
Every master of a vessel having on board immigrants bound for any port
in the United States is obliged upon arrival to submit a manifest to the
inspector of immigration. A manifest is a list of the immigrants on
board, with a general description of each one, giving name, age, sex,
nationality, ability to read and write, calling or occupation, means,
destination, etc. This must be subscribed and sworn to by the master in
the presence of the consul before the vessel can leave port, and in like
manner the surgeon of the vessel must take oath that he has made a
personal examination of each one and finds everything satisfactory.