Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-02-06
for the AvANT COURIER. -
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

Written for the AvANT CoURIER.-
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.
This question is fast assuming a national
aspect. Congress has been moved to act
upon it. and Mr.. Willis has reported bill
which places limit upon the immigration.
which is good enough 80 far as it goes. but
it does not go far enough. AS remedy
4 it is only partial. 1t does not reach the
core OF the evil. Limiting Of immigration
to fifteen sOnls for each vessel is no restric-
ton at all. The Chinese Six Companies
are wealthy enough to keep the Pacific
alive with vessels. and their income from
the services of their coolies will be largely
in excess Of the expense of the transpOrta-
ton from China to California. even If the
vessels were chartered for that purpose
alone. Then again. what is to prevent the
evasion of the law by landing them in Brit
ish America. and bringing them down into
the United States overland? Absolutely
nothing. and consequently the Willis Bill
will not work the result desired. What is
wanted is a law prohibiting the immigra-
ton of the Chinese in toto. We do not
want them. They are useless to us. being
nothing but leeches upon the body polite.
sucking the very life blood Of the nation.
The Helena Herald. while favOring the
passage OF such measures as will prevent
this great accumulation Of class Of peo-
pie that are hurtfill to tile country. fears
what may result from an abrogation of the
Burlingame treaty, saying that now when
our great commercial rivals. England.
France and Germany, are making such
strenuous efforts to secure the Chinese
trade. it would be unwise and unpolitic for
us to jeopardize orr commercial relations
with China by any action against Chinese
immigration. and at the same time thinks
that If negotiation were opened with the
Emperor Of China that he would favor
prohibition Of immigration. he being OPP
posed to his subjects emigrating.
1t is evident that whatever hold we have
upon the Chinese trade is due alone TO our
superior facilities for furnishing what is re-
q1liretl. making it to the interest Of China
to encourage our mercantile relations. and
not through any particular love China has
for the United States.
Then again. if the Emperor is favorable
to non-emigration. why should he take
umbrage at us for doing that which he de-
sires. but which ne was persuaded to fOregO
hv the proba6iy persuasive eloqien"c of
AnsOn BtIriHn.~.ao
Does anyone imagine for moment that
either England. France or Germany would
M cnnfNnf with allowing As.~ CHInese to
swarm into their country for the sake of
the Chinese trade? Whoever does
so is very much mistaken in their opinion
of the ruling spirit Of either OF those ma
lions. While in consideration of the bene-
Its to be accrued from Il continuance of the
Chinese trade. it will be pertinent to ask
ourselves whether the benefits accr;,iDs
rom that trade ale not completely offset
~ the shrlnkage OF the home trade. Incl
lent to the inability of the people to pur-
'hase the necessaries OF lite. laying aside
III thoughts of lnxuries. said inability b.
ng caused by the Chinese driving them
rom all avenues of industry and employ
nent. Statistics bear abundant uroof of
he superior benefits to be derived from {
ne home trade in preference to the Chinese
rade. In connection herewith we must
lso bear in mind that the immense popu-
ition of Chinese that is being poured in
pom us does not in any way patrOnize
ny of our branches of trade. Almost n
verything they use. clothing. provisions,
C.. being imported from China.
The advocates of the Chinese do not 81
ome fairly up to the point in their arg,,-
tents in advocacy of immigration. Thev
y off in tangent Of description OF their =
ptitude in all branches ofindustry; some
ling that we do not pretend to deny. but
lther acknowledge. and at the same time
", "Therein lies the troubled" If they
ere deficient in aptitude. the whites would
I'VE nothing to fear. for then their work
g tor reduced rate of wages would not :,
'mpensate for the loss in the quality of
aterial turned out by them.
In answer to the objection that Congress
Is not the power to repeal treaty. the =
cond clause Of article 6 Of our Constitu- b
IN provides:
THAT this Constitution. and laws of the
lited States which shall be made in purs,I-
&c thereof. and all treaties made under
e authority of the United States shall IN. -
e supreme law of the land.''
A construction "s this clause that con-
Ids that any law restricting Chinese inn Pr
grafton would contravene the provisions I
the Constitution. and therefore be null
] void. cannot be sustained either upon
iciple or authority. The objects for 90,
Itch the Constitution was framed are or.
her than any power granted under it. OF
stice, domestic tranquility. blessings Of res
erty and the general welfare are of SUI GA
me Importance and cannot be taken ~
M the people or abridged in any way by
treaty. no matter how sole,nnly rati- Ia
!. The power to make treaties is limit
by these objects. and. in addition. the
duty alike In nature and intcrnat'o Ia
Is self-preservatien. Then when il ia
Ilred that the presence of Chinese e,-
gers the peace or prosperity, is detr- .,s =
atal and inimical to the best interests Rrs
the people. the law should intervene to per
vide remedy for the evil, ed,
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK. ,, ="
Amne.ev -. u.--H- inc,
Hal
Washington, January 25.-The Senate u
ic'ary Committee reported flyorably