Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-24
HOUSE.

bate on the Chinese bill.
Mr.. Morse, of Massachusetts, based his
objection to the bill upon the ground that it
would destroy the commerce between the
United States and China The markets of
the latter country would be forever closed
against us by mad policy, which had moth
ing to recommend it except a mean and tenn
porary advantage. He would vote against
the bill. regarding it un-democratic, I'M
republican and un-American, dangerous to us
as a nation and injurious to onr commerce.
Mr.. Joyce, OF Vermont, stated the follow
ing grounds why he should vote against the
bill:
First-Because it was in violation of oar
treaty obligation, in absolutely prohibiting
all labOrers coming here for period of 20
years.
Second-It was hostile to the spirit of our
free institutions, as shown BY our record of
a century.
Third-lt was in direct contradiction to
our policy with all nations of the earth for a
hundred years.
FOurth-It was a new and dangerous de-
parture in our foreign policy.
Fitth-It was bold and unwarrantable re-
pudiation of our national declaration, from
the settlement of the colonies down to this
time.
Sixth-It was very foolish and unneces-
sary admission in public law that we have
been wrong for so many years.
Seventh-It was building the same wall
against China that she had reared and kept
up against the world for centuries
Eighth-lt was deadly blow to our COM
merce.
Nlnth-lt was an open violation of the
terms of the republican platform of 1880.
MIR. Dunnell, of Minnesota, said if the
period of suspension was reduced to ten
years, he thought he would vote for the bill.
but as it now stood it would leave national
faint which would do the country infinite
damage.
Mr.. Orth, of Indiana, opposed the measure
because it violated the treaty, and because it
made discrimination founded upon race and
color.
The legislative day of Wednesday then
with PRAYER by the chaplain
The morning hour having been dispensed
WITH the House at 1925 resumed consider
alton of the Chinese bill
Messrs. Sherwin, Haselton, Pacheco and
Townshend supported the bill.
Mr.. Robinson argued in support of certain
amendments he proposed to offer, the first of
them being to strike out the 18th section
which defines the meaning of the word labor
er as covering skilled and unskilled laborers.
He would also move to reduce the time of
suspension from 20 to 10 years.
At O'Clock the previous question was
ordered on the bill and the amendments which
were offered by the various members
Mr.. Page then took the floor for the closing
hour of the debate, but yielded ten minutes
to Mr.. Robinson who concluded his argu-
ment.
MIR. Curtain said now Congress had come
face to face with the square, unauthorized
question of labor. One hundred thousand
chinese laborers in California. took the place
OF one hundred thousand American laborers,
and the naked question was presented to
Congress whether that state of facts should
continue. 1t was the right and the duty of
Congress to protect the American citizen
against the introduction of heather Chinese
laborers. This American government should
set up for itself and say to all the world. I'VE
shall say who shall come and who shall not
come, who shall become citizens and who
shall not
After brief speech by Mr.. Cannon in sup
port of the bill, Mr.. Page took the floor to
close the debate.
He trusted the bill would be passed with
out the amendment The gentleman from
Iowa (kasson) came here and under the
cloak of amendment he (Page) saw the
dagger of the assassin. which would stab the
bill to death
He believed that there was a persistent de-
termination on the part of those who were
opposed to the bill to force amendments upon
it which would DESTROY it.
He witnessed a scene the other dav. when
he saw one of the lobbyists of a corporation
walk in and congratulate a member who had
denounced this bill.
The six Chinese companies, through their
agents in this city. swarmed in every corridor
of the capitol and had for weeks.
He knew of two railroad corporations that
had united to defeat this bill.
Here he was called to order by Mr. White
who said that the words of the gentleman
were too far reaching. The gentleman has
stated. he continued, that the opposition to
this measure comes from the reason he has
gwen, and that | denounce as utterly false
and unworthy the statement of any gentle
man.
Mr.. Page, continuing, made a last appeal
to the republican side to grant the Pacific
coast the relief she asked for. He again as
serted as q fact that there had been an agent
OF SIX companies here and had solicited mem
bers.
Here he was again met with cries of siname
him." But he declined to do so, and contin.
uing, said he did not intend to intimidate
any member who had been improperly an
preached or controlled.
In conclusion he said. turn to the grand
party which for twenty years has fought the
battle OF the down trodden and oppressed. |
turn to that party with it, grand and noble
record and In the last agony of hope I saw.