St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-04-29

years. or every third year, or, for example,
that they should not be allowed to go
for TWO, three, or five years. At a subse-
uuent conference the Americans said: The
Chinese Commissioners have in their project
explicitly recognized the right OF the United
States to use some discretion, and have pro-
posed a limitation as to time and number
This is the right to regulate, limit. or suspend.
In one Of the conferences the Chinese asked
the Americans whether they could give them
any idea Of the laws which would be passed to
carry these powers into execution. The Amer-
cans answered that this could hardly be done;
that the United States Government might
power. 1t would depend upon crcum-
stances. If Chinese immigration concen-
trated in cities where it threatened the
public order, or if it confined itselfto localities
where it was an injury to the interests of the
American people, the Government of the
United States would undoubtedly take steps to
prevent such accommodations OF Chinese. IT,
on the contrary, there was no large imnigra-
ton, or IL there were sections OF the country
where such immigration was clearly beneficial,
then the legislation Of the United States under
this power would be adapted to such circum-
stances. For example. there might be de-
mand for Chinese labor in the South, and
surplus of such labor in California: then Con-
gress might legislate in accordance with these
facts In general, legislation would be in view
of and depend upon the circumstances of the
situation at the moment such legislation be-
came necessary. The Chinese Commissioners
said this explanation was satisfactory; that
they had not intended to ask for a draft OF
any special act, but for some general idea of
how the power would be exercised. What had
just been said gave them the explanation
which they wanted. With this entire accord
as to the meaning of the words they were
about to employ and the object of the legisla-
ton which might be had in consequence. the
parties signed a treaty, in Article of which
the Government of China agrees that the Gov
eminent of the United States may regulate,
but may not absolutely prohibit The limita-
ton or suspension shall be reasonable, and
shall apply only to Chinese who may go to the
United States as laborers, other classes not
being included in the limitation. Legislation
taken in regard to Chinese laborers will be OF
such character only as is necessary to enforce
the regulation, limitation or suspension of lnl-
migration. lie.
The first section Of the act provides that,
from and after the expiration of sixty days
next after the passage OF this act, ana until
the expiration OF twenty years next T. after the
passage of this act, the coming of Chinese la
borers shall be and the same is hereby suspend
ed; and during such suspension it shall not be
lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or,
having so come after the expiration of the
said sixty days, to remain within the United
States.
The examination which I have made of the
treaty, and of the declarations which its nego-
tiators have left on record of the meaning of
its language, leaves no doubt in my mind that
neither contracting party in concluding the
treaty of 1880 contemplated the passage OF an
act prohibiting immigration for twenty years,
which is nearly generation, Or thought that
such period would be "a reasonable suspen-
sion or Imitation or intended to change the
extent. regard this provision of the act as
a breach of our National faith, and being I'M
able to bring myself in harmony with the
views of Congress on this vital point, the hon
or of the country constrains me to return the
act with this objection to its passage.
Deeply convinced of the necessity of some
legislation on this subject. and concurring
fully with Congress with the objects which
are sought to be accomplished, will avail my
self of the opportunity to point out some
other features OF the act which, inmy opinion,
Of Chinese who still enjoy the protection of
the Burlingame treaty are entitled to the
privileges, immunities and exemptions &C
cord to citizens and subjects OF the most
many powers which permit their citizens
and subjects to reside within the United
States and carry on business under the
enforced against citizens of the United
States. l think it may be doubted
whether the provisions requiring personal reg
istration and the taking out Of passports which
are not imposed upon natives can be re-
quired OF the Chinese. Without expressing an
opinion on that point, may invite the atten..
ton of Congress to the fact that the system OF
personal registration and passports is undem-
Ocratic and hostile to the spirit of our institu-
tons. doubt the wisdom of putting an en-
tering wedge of this kind into our laws: A
nation like the United States, jealous of the
before it Incorporates into its polity a
system which is fast disappearing in
Europe before the progTess of liberal sho In
how futile such precautions are, and how
easily passports may be borrowed exchanged,
or even forged by persons interested to do SO.
II it is, nevertheless, thought that a pass
port is the most convenient way for identify
ing the Chinese entitled to the protection of
the Burlingame treaty it may still be doubt
ed whether they ought to be required to regis
ii i anppt0jnlv duty under the RIIr-
hngame treaty, to make their stay in the
United States, and the operation OF the general
laws upon them, as nearly like that of our own
citizens as we can consistently with our right
to shut out laborers. No good purpose is
served in requiring them to register.
My attention has been called by the Chinese
Minister to the fact that the act as it stands
makes no provision for transit across the
United States of Chinese subjects now residing
in foreign countries. think this point may
wen claim the attention OF Congress IN legls-
faith requires us to suspend the immigration
of Chinese, laborers for q less period than
twenty years. 1 now add that good policy
points in the same direction. Our inter
course with China is of recent date. Our first
treaty with that power is not yet forty years
old; It is only since we acquired California
and established a great seat of commerce
on the Pacific that we may be said to
have broken down the wall which fenced that
ancient monarchy. The Burlingame treaty
naturally followed Under the spirit which
came to the United States No one can say the
country has not profited by their work They
were largely instrumental in constructing the
railways which connect the Atlantic and Pa
cifie slopes. The States Of the Pacific are full
of the evidences Of their industry. Enters
prises profitable to capitalist and to laborers
of Caucasian origin would have been dor
mant but for them. The time has now come
whenit is supposed they are not needed, and
when it is thought by Congress and by those
most acquainted with the subject that it is best
to try and get along without them. There may,
however, be other sections of country where
this species Of labor may be advantageously
employed without interfering with the labor
ers of our own race. It may be the part of
wisdom as well as good faith to fix the length
of the experimental period with reference to
this fact. Experience has shown that the
trade of the East is a key to national wealth
and influence. The opening of China to the
commerce of the whole world has benefited
no section of it more than the States
of our own Pacific slope. The State of Cali
fornia, and its great maritime ports, especial
ly, have reaped enormous advantages from
this source Blessed with an exception
al climate, enjoying an unrivaIed harbor,
with the riches of the great agricultural and