The New York herald., 1879-02-28
Constitutional Principles Conflict with
the Bill Passed by Congress.
TREATY OBLIGATIONS SHOULD BIZ RESPECTED.
Benefits Conferred on California by the I'm
migration of the MongoIs.
DEMONSTRATIONS In SAN FRANCISCO.

posed violation of constitutional and treaty obliga
tions in the passage of the Ant-Chinese bill for par
tsan reasons by the members of both houses of Con-
gress and to petition the President to withhold his
signature from the bill. The resolutions offered by
Mr. A. A. Low set forth the duty Of fulfilling treaty
obligations and show how the passed by the
at Washington would violate the letter and the
spirit of the treaty with China They show
the injustice of the United States to insist
now upon exclusiveness after having been among
the first nations to force China to forego her own
exclusive policy. These resolutions supported
by eloquent speeches by several of the members.
The value Of the Chinese labor to California itself
in improving the value of property which the shift
less diggers of the Pacific coast would never have
improved. exhibited and. in fact, every consd-
Grafton. whether of duty or OF interest, urged
why the President should veto the bill. After the
resolutions had been adopted unanimously and with
great enthusiasm committee Of three members Of
the Chamber, at present in Washington, ap-
pointed to confer with the President the subject
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. Samuel D. Babcock, president of the Chamber,
took the chair and Mr.. William H. Herman, in the
absence of Mr.. Wilson at Washington acted as sec-
retary. The chairman opened the meeting by read
ing the call published in yesterdays HERALD. and
which signed by Messrs. William H. Fogg. Henry
F. Spaulding. Seth Low, Elliot c. Cowdin. J. Pier
pont Morgan Levi P. Morton. L. W. Corlies. Roswell
skeel, d. Willis James. Josiah NJ. Fiske and Bowie
Dash
Mr.. A. A. Low then offered the resolutions in the
following address,
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN MEMBERS OF THE
CHAMBER Commemorative have been called together
to-day consider what action is proper for the Cham
Der OF Commerce to take with reference to the bill
to restrict Chinese immigration, which has passed
both houses OF Congress and only waits the sigma
ture of the President OF the United States become
law The subject of this law has been fully discussed
that the members of this Chamber do not need to be
instructed in regard to the character Of the bill.
which will read to the Chamber. that enbody about
all that have to say on the subject. The principal
objection to the law, / understand it, is that it
contravenes the obligations OF the treaty perhaps
directly contravcnes the very law OF our national
OF no good why. at this late day. should
shut the door against the people of China any more
other country. (Applause.) We have been able to
absorb into the body polite some four or five
Who were Voluntary emie4ants from % their own
country, and we have not only absorbed them into
the body polite but we have given them the priv
education nor understanding to make them good
voters in measures affecting the integrity Of the
Union or in choosing men who are candidates for
office. While, therefore, it has been the policy OF our
government to admit emigrants from every land
the policy of China has always been opposed both to
the emigration OF it's subjects and to the imm-
grafton of other people from abroad. And such was
the policy of China till it was broken down by the
armed force of other nations. and nation more
forward than our own in controverting that policy
If recollect Alright. while propose to break
treaty with China by o law which contravenes its
terms. did not think it very proper thing Oh the
part of Great Britain to interpose existing statute
treaty for the extradition of offenders against the
laws of country. II recollect right when that
feature broken considered the whole
treaty null and void. Perhaps there has been
axiom which has been more generally received us
true than this that free rest upon no
other basis than the basis Of sound morals. Now,
obligation of observing treaty faithfully concerns
the morals OF our country, and 1T is in this view
which think it is chiefly interesting to the mem.
bers of this Chamber, not because members of
u commercial body, but because have interest
the high character of the government under winch
we live, and therefore have made this promi
nent in the resolutions which have drawn.
think we witnessed one departure from this basis
of sound morals about year ago, when Congress
ventured to adopt second standard OF value under
the authority OF the constitution which gives Con-
gress the power to coin money. 1 say, think
1t took departure from that sound moral basis
upon which the government of every free country
parture from the moral standard which free
government should observe II it expects 70 maintain
q wholesome and continuous growth. With your
permission will read the resolutions.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were then read -
20 IN" tinted States h"s passed both houses q" Congress-
and only waits tho signature the President
Chamber has been caedo tako such action as may seem
TO be with reference thereto then be IT, and h
RESOLVED That in tho judgements Of this Chamber ,s
treaty stpulations with every foreign Power
bill this duty antaeoninns
The the % s"a @
fraction OF part by either Of is contracting parties
Resolved That there is one article in the existing treaty
hand it is sha, which contains tho following dccara
tions viz The United states of America and the En-
right Of change his home aud ailegiance aud
grafton Of their citizens subjects the
que cony 10 the oIs Sr @ o s,S OF
riplc thus affecting inernao intercourse
% % Of ~ as ,1s iii ss
broken the doors OF the were opened 20 the
tection in the pursuit Of their respective
as "i The Of the
as m ls Paa s svr sne a,
nnder whose laws the subjects oi china lave enjoyed
eharac.er IN the sight Of All other nations as to
oil teachings IA exposing thc merchant his dealings
70 tho conssqaences >, public dshonor and hnnaly 40
sorry ecntras. wish tie more cautious and dig"hed Wis
In view OF these other considerations OF lesser
mssn, ,osa ausssnE our relations Ms pss.Gs
actoss tle Pnche the Chamber would respectfully and
withhold his signature from the iii above described
rooo's ADDRESS.
Mr.. William III. Fogg seconded the resolutions in
tho following words II eel. as of the signcrs
the call Tor this meeting, that the AntLC Chinesc
bin should he denounced in the strongest possible
forms. Had doubted tho cxpcdioncy OF such
course my doubts would have been removed by
letter received from the former president OF
this Chamber Mr. William h. Dodge, who was in
Washington at the time of the passage OF the bill.
urging me the great importance OF such u call
that the views OF commercial men might be heard
on this shameful breach Of treaty obliga.
tions. The Anti Chinese bull has passed boih
houses of Congress in obedience 10 an out
cry from the people of the Pacific coast
that Chinese immigration has disturbed and injured
their prosperity. 1t may we'll DO doubted Ii they
have good reason for this claim. The Surveyor
General OF California has already been quoted as re-
porting that the Chinese have increased the value OF
the property in California $2y0 O0U 600, and this
property today s heli by white men. IL is peril
ncnty asked also by the Rev. Joseph Cook Il any
100 900 Irish have done much that tor Califor.
nia2 The b0aring of this to be recognized to
some extent oven the Pacific coast. A well known
writer long resident there. asserts, in his recent