The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-08-24
a NEW PHASE OF THE CHINESE
QUESTION.

Congress passed bill to restrict Chi
nese immigration to the United States
by limiting the number which could be
brought here in any one. vessel to tif-
teen persons. This bill was introduced
and passed i'm the interest Of the work
ing classes who have to, compete with
Chinese labou- The Democrats, with
few exceptions, voted for the bill, while
the Republicans, With few exceptions,
principally members from this coast,
voted against it,. The ablest Consttu-
tienal lawyers in the Senate, among
she,a Allen G.. Thurman, of Ohio, adj
vocated in debate the passage of the
BILL and voted for it. 1t passed both
Houses of Congress, and was sent to,
che Eight to Seven President for his
syproval. Mr.: Hayes admitted that
lire bill was constitutional, but refused
so sign it and sent it back to the House
where it originated without his sigma
rure. General Garfield, who we are
now told is a strong anti-C Chinese man,
voted to sustain the veto, and he being
the acknowledged leader of the Repub-
Hcans in the hoase Of Representatives
the lesser lights followed his exampls
and the veto was sustained. That bill
was supposed to be in the interest OF
the laboring classes, aud Mr.. Hayes
could not conscientiously sign it, and
the Republicans in Congress, aided by
a.few Democrats, Sustained his action.
Now Chinese vessel is reported as
being on the way to San Francisco to
engage in the carrying trade. 1t is said
that others will soon follow it, and
fears are expressed that the Chinese will
monopolize tie carrying business be-
tween China and. the United States.
This conflicts with the interests Of the
wealthy steamship companies, and Mr..
Hayes comes TO their rescue by author
ling Collectors to impose the allen
duties on all Chinese vessels arriving in
American ports. He gives as q reason
for this order that he does not know
that any discrimination is made against
American vessels III Chinese ports. He
readily finds a. reason or excuse for in
terfering in behalf of the rich. steamship
companies when they are threatened
with Chinese competition. When a
bill was passed by Congress to prevent
Chinese competition with white labor
in the United, States he went out of his
way to find excuses for vetoing it, but
now that the Chinese propose to com
pete with the merchants by carrying
their tea and silks in their own vessels
tosthe United States, he readily finds
an excuse for charging them. excessive
duties. He knew when he vetoed the
Immigration restriction bill, that while
Chinese are accorded all the rights and
privileges Of subjects of the most favor
ed nations in this country, citizens of
the United States in Chine are restrict
eel as to their place of residence and the
business in which they may engage; but
now because he is not certain that no
discrimination is made against Ameri-
oanrvessels in Chinese ports, he author
ICES his Collectors to impose the alien
duties on Chinese vessels arriving in
American ports. Mr.. Hayes changes
his tactics to protect the interests of the
rich, regardless of the inconsistency of
his course, and very many people on
this coast, with like inconsistency,
while protesting to. be opposed. to
chinese immigration, upheld General
Garfield, whose vote is recorded against
the passage of the Chinese restriction
bill over the veto of Me- Hayes..