, 1879-01-30


out bill in tic rough restricting Chinese
immigration, and passed 1t ly more than
two-thirds majority. Tho voto can hartlTy
10 called partisan, for, although thu bill
originated on tho Democratic aldo of tho
House, fifteen Democrats voted against II
aud fifty-ono Republicans for 1t, while nsany
more Republicans would hnve voted for it
Ind not tho Democratic CAUCUS previously
determined that no Republicans should he
allowed to speak, md that no amendments
should DO offered. The largo Republican
vote In The negative mny DO construed, tlterc-
fore, rs meaning, not that tho Republican
party IL opposed to regulating tile owls Of
Chinese immigration, but as A protest against
tho application Of tho gag law, and as IN ex-
preston Of opinion that bill Of sucl, iu,-
1,ortnnce deserves the freest discussion and
may need amendment.
Tho bill In question provides that no mas
tor Of q vessel ownod by any citizon OF tho
United States shall take On board ut any
foreign port my number Of Chinese exceed.
Ing flftoon, with intent to bring tlctn 10 Tho
United States, under penalty Of s100 for eacl,
passenger In cxeess Of fifteen, sucl penalty
to become lien on tho vessel. The looso-
moss with which the bin in drawn is agniust
1t at tho very outset, AZ It n.ny be construed
to .nsan almost nnything In tho matter Of
prohibition. Az Alr. CoNaEn int'natod, .s,,-
der its provisions Chinese vessel OF wnr or
Of commerce might 10 prohibited from en-
tering our larbors; or q Chinese Embassy
that had more tllan fifteen .ncmbors In It's
suite could 10 forbidden to land upon our
shores; OF II might violate tue uuwritten law
Of humanity by prohibiting tic reception of
wrecked Chinese crow in my Quo OF our
ports. It Furthermore works Hi Injustice by
sorblddiug American vessels to Lring them
whio foreign vosse!s aro left frea to pour
them upon our shores without any restric.
tioll whatever. The grent majority Of Chi.
ncso who como across to California mako
tho voyage IN Engtisl, vessels, and,
uulosa there is homo method adopted for
regulating Tho foreign methods Of trausporta-
tioi. thu bill will make 10 posceptiblo
tlminu.ion fn the statistics Of tho il,lMfgra-
ton. There remains also tho very serious
question whether Tho entiro bill Ii not in
direct conflict with tic l}unI1SaAME treaty
aud iu violation Of its provisions. Wa
cannot Violate treaties with the Celestia1s
with tho easo aud immunity with which wo
lreak orr 1udian compacts, oven 10 suit tho
desperate partisan purposes Of the Demo-
cratic Farty. The Chinese Government is
recognized as a trcaty.making powar in
diplomatic relations with our own, anl 1t
would haye tho sympathy Of the world iu
caso Of any iufrautiou Of treaties by o,.r
Government. III llis direction au,l iu many
others there was ilcetf that tho lilt should
have had tho freest discussion, aud the
country will now look ia tho Senate, which
can attorl 10 investigate II without MY
partiaan bearing, to Shapa t!le bill In con.
Bonauco with tho treaty, aud to adl to it
such amendments as arc necessary 10 make
II impartial antl practical III its operation.
Ot tho necessity Of some Eucl. bill ~ th!s
thero Is 10 doubt. mud there Is no question
tint wl.on tho Henate las maturol II aud
placed 1t upon such n basis that 1t will not
conflict with trcaty stipu1at'oas, clsAer by
compromise with tho Chinese Embassy now
In Washington or by abrogation OF the
treaty, it wilt receive the support Of the ma-
jority Of the Republicans. Tho bill Is not
retroactive III character. It does not nffsc!
tho status Of the thousands OF Chinese VITO
nre already here, uor those who may leu, q
China prior to iho time 1t gocs into opera-
tion. W'lsou once excessive Immigration IL
checked tlere Ia litslo danger Of my fur
thor disturbance OF the labor question. The
number Of Chinese vii! steadily diminish.
Very few Of them come here with tho inteu'
ton Of staying, and mono Of them give up
their allegiance 10 their own Government
or their auaeuability 10 tho Chinese
lava II they live long ouough
thuy expect to return when the
contracts with their companies expire il
they dio here, they do not caro- enough for
the country 10 bs buried in It. Their Aocial,
religious, aud political allegiance il given Ia
their own land. They have no desire to as-
sociato With Americans further than tho dc.
n,auds Of labor neeessitates. They hays no
| wish ~ vote nor any Intention 10 become