generation these foreigners have shown themselves extremely anxious to

take advantage of the opportunities offered by our free schools.

One of the most serious charges made against the Americanized foreigner

has been that through him there has developed in our political system a

strain of corruption which endangers our institutions. Political

corruption did not come with the immigrants: it was known in all its

forms years ago. This much can be said, however: the worst class of

foreign-born citizens has ever proved to be a support of corrupt

political bosses. Our city governments have been notoriously corrupt and

the cities harbor the great masses of foreigners. The high cost of