Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-10-30
GARFIELDIN CONGRESS.

The Bill to Restrict Chinese lmmlgratloh
How the Republicans Voted-Gar-
fields Strong Opposition to the Bill
Hayes Veto.
We care not straw whether Garfield
wrote a letter to Mr.. Morey or whether
he did not. He swore on oath that he
never had, or agreed to take any stock
of the Credit Mobilier Company. The
Republican committee, Poland, Banks
and McCrary, reported to the House
that he did. So we may disregard what
Gen. Garfield says about the Morey let
ter, and argue from what he did on the
Chinese question in his official capacity
as a member OF Congress.
The Democratic Congress desired to
restrict Chinese immigration, whether
Coolies or not, because they
degrade American labor and are an in.
suit TO free born workingmen. On the
18th of January, 1873, Mr.. Wise OF
Oregon, introduced a bill to restrict the
immigration Of Chinese to the United
States. This bill prohibited the master
of any vessel from taking on board at
any port in China, or other foreign port
or place whatever, more than ten Chi
nese passengers, with intent to bring
such passengers to the United States, or
from bringing on any one voyage more
than ten such passengers within the
jurisdiction OF the United States, under
penalty, on conviction, OF payment OF
500 fine for each such passenger in en-
cess of ten. On the same date,
in 1879, MIR. Willis reported this bill
back to the House, which bill was o.
dered to be printed.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE SAID.
The report on the bill among othl
things said:
THAT these complaints are not With
out cause can not, uron the evidence
be doubted. Your committee, IN re-
port accompanying joint resolution. III.
II. No. l23, at the second session oil TINS
Congress, endeavored to present wnat
seemed to them some insuperable oblec-
tons to Chinese Immigration. Further
examination of facts only confirms tue
conclusions therein stated. This whde
question is not one of right, but OF policy.
There is no principal upon which W. are
compelled To receive into our MIDST the
natives OF Asia, Africa or any other part
of the world. The character, sources
and extent of immigration should be
regulated and controlled with reference
TO our own wants and welfare. The
difficult problems, economic and poilt-
cal resulting from the presence OF the
red and black races would he renewed
i'm more aggravated and dangerous
form by the yellow race. The Mongo!i-
an, unlike the Indian is brought IN
daily contact with our social and politl-
cal life. and, unlike the African, does
not surrender any of his marked pecuil-
arities by reason OF that contact. 1t Is
neither possible nor desirable for two
races as distinct as the Caucasian and
Monaghan to live under the same gov
eminent without assimilation. The de-
graduation or slavery OF one or the other
would be the inevitable result. Homo.
yeneity of ideas. and Of physical and
social habits, are essential to nation har-
monv and progress. Equally grave OBJ
iections may he urged against the
Chinese from an industrial STANDPOINT.
Our laborinc people cannot and ought
not TO be subjected to competition
which involves the surrender ut the
sacred and elevating Influences OF home
and the sacrifice of the ordinary appl-
ances of personal civilization. The
Question. therefore, is not one oi com
| pe.ition, bat OF substitution OF one
kind OF labor for another.
No self governing country can afford
10 diminish or destroy the dignity. the
welfare and independence OF its cillzens,
Justice TO the people OF the Pacilic
| Slope, the dictates OF commonhumanlty
and bcnevolence. as well as the p'ainest
suggestions of practical craftsmanship,
ALI demand that the problem OF Chinese
immigration shall be solved while 1t is
vet within the legislative control.
Governed by these views, your COM
m,,tee present and recommend toe pas
sage OF the bill accompanying tais re-
port.
GARFIELD's COURSE.
The bill was then debated, and the
amendments, considered and agreed to,
and the question recurring on engross-
ing and third'reading, Mr.. Garfield pro-
posed an amendment to prevent the
bill from going into effect until the
Chinese Empire be apprised OF tie ter
mnation OF the treaty. Mr.. Garfield
characterized the bill as one merely for
party capital. The amendment was
declared TO be out OF order. The mo-
ton to engross and pass to third read
ing was agreed to, and it was read a
third time. On its passage, under call
for the yeas and nays General Garfield
lodged. II was passed, however, by
l55 yeas to ~ nays Record, Forty fifth
Congress, third session, page SOL The
Senate considered and passed the bill
on the 18th OF February, and 1t came
back to the House with amendments.
Mr.. Willis moved to take it from the
Speakers table and concur in the Sem
ate amendments. This was agreed to.
Mr.. Gariell-I reserve the right to
demand separate votes on the amend.
ments.
The previous question was seconded
and the main question ordered.
Mr.. Willis moved to reconsider the
vote by which the main question wal