The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-12-07
TEE = TREATY.

1t is somewhat singular that the provisions
OF the recent treaty with the Chinese govern
ment are kept sbrouded in mystery. II was
hoped that by its terms the whole subject
matter of Chinese immigration to the United
| States would be definitely settled so that the
question would be in the future removed
from American politics. But from what we
can gather from our dispatches in regard TO
its nature it still leaves the Chinese problem
unsolved and forces its further consideration
upon the minds of our people. In regard to
the terms of the treaty We have been assured
that they would meet the appreciation OF our
citizens again. that they would be s~atisfac-
tory to the Pacific sentiment, and then again,
that "lt does not attempt to regulate the
subject infinitely by treaty stipulations, but
broadly clears the way for congressional &C
ton to restrict the immigration of Chinese
laborers to any extent that the United States
may deem advisable" If this be the case
the new treaty either abrogates Or modifes
the Burlingame treaty. 1t will be remem-
bered that at the last session of congress a
bill restricting the number of Chinese that
could be taken by any one vessel into an
American port, passed both houses of con-
gress, but was vetoed by President Hayes on
the ground that it was in conflict with certain
provisions of the Burlingame treaty. The
fifth article, and the latter portion of the
sixth, which we quote, are those portions of
the treaty which it was claimed the bill vio-
lated. They read as follows: Article fifth, |
in express terms, scordially recognizes The !
inherent and inalienable right of man to
change his home and allegiance, and also the |
mutual advantage Of the free migration and
pectively from the one country to the other |
for purposes Of curiosity, of trade, or as per-
manent residents.' The latter clause of arti-
Gle sixth says: "Chinese subjects visiting
or residing in the United States shall enjoy
the same privileges, immunities and exemp-
lions in respect to travel or residence as may
there be enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of
the most favored nation. But nothing here
in contained shall be held to confer natural |
ization upon citizens of the United States in
iili ioi upu1i LC VI Sllllld III Jtjt |
United States" 1t is evident that the above
have been modified if the new treaty ''broad-
ly clears the way for congressional action to
restrict the immigration of Chinese laborers
to any extent that the United States may
deem advisable" This being the case the
matter is placed in the hands of congress, to
which body the people will look for the
enactment Of a law that will meet the exig- |
enciss of the present situation of affairs. If
a bill can be framed that will prove satisfac-
tory to the Pacific sentiment, and meet the
appreciation of eastern people, it will remove
a disturbing element frsm our politics, and
measurably narrow the issues in future polit-
zeal contests.
We are informed that the treaty has been
received at Washington, but that the depart
ment declines at present to furnish any par
~ticulars. Enough, however, is known from
which we may infer that it congress applies
the proper remedy the day has nearly arrived
when the further immigration of Chinese to
our shores may be said to practically cease.
Truth, the New York newspaper that has
made its presence known throughout the civ
ilized world by the publication of the alleged
Garlield-Morey letter, claims that 1t has faith
omed the full meaning of the treaty. 1t says
that ''the basis of the treaty is that China is
anxious to get rid of her surplus population,
while the United States Chat is, the govern
ment of President Hayes,) are anxious to
have them come. Every facility under this
new treaty will be offered to those baroarians
who would make a lolne in the United States.
The commissioners have gone SO far as to
assure the government that after the payment
OF Sl3, as the fare of each eluigrant from
Hong Kong to San Francisco, the Pacific rail
roads Will transport them from San Francisco
to New York or any point in the eastern
country at $50 a head" |: adds that this is
precisely what the state department is keep.
ing so secret just now. We are not inclined
to think that this can be true. On the con-
trary, paradoxical as it may seem, we believe
that there is error even in Truth.
The most absurd, aud at the SANG time the
most contemplate, thing that has lately been
emn by n fnW of the ffth-rate reruh1i-