The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-04-15

years, or every third year. or, for example,
for two three. or FIVE years Al a suhse-
0ucut conference the Americans sad; The
Chinese commissioners have IN thclr prof ct
eNpl ty recognized the right Of the United
STATES e. use some discretion, and have pro
posed a limitation IA to tine and number:
Th IS The right 90 rcgiInte limit. or suspend
IN one ~ the confercnccs the Chinese usked
the Americans whether they could give them
any idea Of the laws which would be passed TO
carry those powers into execution. Tho AIncri-
cans answered that this could hardly be done;
that tn United States Government might
never deem t necessary to .oxercis, this
stances. II Chinese immigration concern
trated in cities whore 1t threatened the
public order. or IL II confined itself to localities
where 1t was an injury t. the interests of the
American people. the Government of the
United states would undoubtedly take steps to
prevent such accllmuatiOns OF Chinese. IT,
on the contrary, there was no large hmm gra-
ton, or II there were sections OF the country
where such immigration was clearly beneficial,
then the legislation IF the United States under
this power would be adapted to snCh crcum-
stances. For eNimplG. there might be a de-
mand for Chinese labor in the south, and a
surplus of such labor in California; then Con-
gress might legislate in accordance with those
facts. In general, Legislation would be i'm view
of and depend upon the circumstances of the
situation at the moment such legislation be-
came necessary. The Chinese Commissioners
sad this explanation was satisfactory; that
they had not intended to ask for 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
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 treaty, in Article of which
the Government of China agrees that the Gov
eminent of the United States may regulate,
limit, or suspend such coming or residence,
but may not absolutely prohibit. The limita-
ton or suspension shall be reasonable, and
shah 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 rs is necessary to enforce
the regulation, Limitation, or suspension of i'm
migration. ....#a
The first section of the act provides that
from and after the expiration of sixty days
next after the passage OF this act, and until
the expiration of twenty years next after the
passage of this act the coming of Chinese Ia
borerS shall be and the same is hereby suspend
ed; and during such suspension 10 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 have made OF the
treaty, and of the declarations which its nego-
tators 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 cOntenp plated the passage OF an
act prohibiting Immigration for twenty years,
which is nearly n generation, or thought that
such period would be "a reasonable suspen-
provisions of the Burlngame treaty to that
extent. regard this provision OF the act as
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
ctwith 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, in my opinion,
can be modified e advantage. The classes
of Chinese who still enjoy the protection of
the Burlmgame treaty are entitled TO the
privileges immunities and exemptions ac-
cord to citizens and subjects of the most
many powers which permit their citizens
and subjects to reside within the United
same laws and regulations which are
enforced against citizens of the United
States 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 thar 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-
tions. 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 progress Of liberal in
| stitutons. Wide experience has shown
how futile such precautions are, and how
easily passports may be borrowed exchanged,
/ or even forged by persons 1ntorC Steu TO DO
I If it is, nevertheless, thought that pass
port is the most convenient way for identity
\ ing the Chinese entitled to the protection OF
the Buringame treaty 1T may still be doubt
| ed whether they ought to be required to regis
| ter. 1t is certainly our duty, under the Bur-
lingame treaty, TO make their stay in the
| United States, and the operation of the general
| laws upon them, as nearly like thatof 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
well claim the attention OF Congress in legts-
! lating on this subject. | have said that good
| faith requires us to suspend the immigration
of Chinese laborers for a less period than
twenty years. | now add that good policy
| course with China is of recent date Our first
treaty with that power is not yet forty years
| old. 1t 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
! inspired 1T many thousand Chinese laborers
came to the United States No one can say the
country has not protited by their work. They
| were largely instrumental in constructing the
railways which connect the Atlantic and Pa
cifc slopes. The States of the Pacific are full
of the evidences of their industry. Enter
prises profitable to capitalist and to laborers
OF Caucasian origin would have been dor
mani ouI lOT lntlh. i NC TIME nus now COun6
when It is supposed they are not needed, and
when it is thought by Congress and by those
most acquainted with the subject that IL is best
to try and get along without them. There may,
| however, be other sections of country where
this species OF labor may be advantageousy
employed without interfering with the labor
ers of our own race. 1t 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 key to national wealth
and influence. Tho opening of China TO the
commerce of the whole world has benefited
no section of ii more than the States
of our own Pacific slope. The State of Cnli-