New-York tribune., 1882-04-08
POINTS ABOUT TIE CHINESE ELL.


The time is opportune for a calm and ra
tional discussion of the Chinese immigration
question Heated partisans on both sides have
had their say, and the sober second thought of
the people is making itself felt now. Only the
Democrats are disposed to make political capi
tai out of the discussion, and they are likely
to fail as usual. The question is one OF far
reaching importance, and should be discussed
in spirit of patriotism and can1or. The gen.
eral sentiment Of the country, as indicated
by the newspapers this side of the Pacific
Coast, sustains the President in his view that
twenty years is too long a period of prOhibi-
ton. Senator Miller has shown good judgment
in acquicscing III the publ verdict so far ~ to
reintroduce his bill with the period reduced to
ten years. With no other purpose than to
prompt such free and unprejudiced discussion
of the whole subject as may make the bill, If
it is to become law, less Objectionable, we
submit IA few points for consideration
FirSt-Is not the period of ten years too
lOng2 Would it not be wise to try even IA
shorter period first If the bill works salts
factory there would be no trouble i'll
extending the period as often as ne
cessary The scheme is untriod, and
even California is not certain that she
will be willing to have the suspension con-
tnued. Why not make the period seven years 7
That would carry the question over the next
two Presidential elections, and bring it up for
discussion in the year following campaign,
when it could be sure of camer treatment
than just before campaign. Seven years is
certainly long enough to give the experiment
fair trial
no nnt hN trfsiAn Of fho n
need some amendment 7 AS it stands any
master of any vessel, of whatever national
city, who shall knowingly on such vessel
bring within the jurisdiction of the United
States, and permit to be landed, any
"Chnese laborer, from any foreign port
cor place, shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and
:" on conviction shall be punished by a fine of
mot more than $500 for each and every such
"Chinese laborer, and may be also imprisoned
" for a term not exceeding one year" Suppose
a British ship were to come from British
port to America, carrying passengers and our
authorities were to determine that they were
Cinnamon that the officers of the vessel were
to refuse to pay the penalty, and we were to
coniscate the vessel and imprison its officers;
would not that be rather uncomfortable bus-
ness to settle with Great Britain The prob
lem would be the same with a vessel from
any other foreign country which should get
into similar complications Furthermore, how
is skipper to know wbc ,der Chinaman is
a subject of China, or Great Britain, or any
other country, from which he may ship to
America I
Thard-Can we afford, from the point of
view of good policy alone, to affront the
tation from private letter which lies before
us, written by one Of the most prominent cid-
zens of California, Is of interest. He says:
"The Chinese people are supposed to number
"about four hund-ed millions, and in many re-
"spects they are very highly civilized. They are
"the least aggressive of all the nations Of tho