Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-05
THE CHINESE BILL
Vetoed by the President-The TWENTY
Year Clause the Principal Rea-
son for His Action.
Important Bank Tax Decentralization
Citizens in British PrisOns-0utIet
Lobby-112th Bond Call.

| WASHINGTON, April 4-Seadle.-Senator
Miller, from the Committee on Foreign Re
lations reported favOrably, with an amend
msnt, the Senate bill to incorporate the
Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua.
Immediately after the reception of the
Presidents message vetoing the anti Chinese
bill, the president pro tem. suspended the
operation of business to lay a communication
before the Senate, and directed it to be heard.
| The reading was listened to with marked in
| terest by the entire Senate. The vital OBJ
ction OF the President is the twenty years
suspension OF immigration, which he con-
strues as virtually prohibitory, and therefore
| violative of the spirit II not of the letter OF
the negotiations upon which the treaty was
based, and a breach of national faith
| The message calls attention to propositions
made by the United States commissioners on
| this point, and counter propositions on the
| part of China to show that the understanding
| of the latter IN the agreement which was
| ultimately made was that immigration would
| be limited, or restricted to a reasona bic
| period The President then points out other
features of the act, which, in his opinion can
| be modified to advantage. The system of
| personal registration and passports is specii-
ally mentioned as undemocratic and hostile
to our constitution, and he alludes TO the
| omission of the act to make any provision
for the. transit to China of the Chinese SUBJ
leclS now sellllng IN lOEeiSu countries, 10
which subject, the President adds his atten-
ton has been called by the Chinese minister.
The message refers to the alleged benefits to
its industries derived by the Pacific slope
from the presence of the Chinese heretofore,
and expresses apprehension of injurious
effect upon American commerce with Chi.
nese legislation Of the character of that pro-
posed unless carefully guarded, and without
naming any specified period of suspension
suggests that the length of the term should
be experimental. In discussing the meaning
of the word "laborers," used in the trea-
tY, the President comedies that it includes
ARTISANS or skilled laborers." In regard to
the term Of suspension, he says: "The
full examination which / have made
of the treaty of declarations which its nego-
tiations have left on record, and of the meaning
of its language leaves no doubt in my mind
that neither of the contracting parties in con-
Guiding the treaty of 1880 contemplated the
passage of an act prohibiting immigration
for twenty years, which is nearly a genera
ton, or thought that such period would be
a reasonable suspension or Limitation, or in
tended to change the provisions of the Bur-
lingame treaty to that effect. | regard this
portion OF the act as breach of our national
faith and being unable TO bring myself in
harmony with the views of Congress upon
this vital point, the honor of the country
restraints me TO return the act with this OBJ
lection TO its passage, adding that good
policy as well as good faith requires a modi- |
fcation of the twenty years suspension"
The President says our first treaty with
China is not yet forty years old; that it is
only since we acquired California and estab-
lished that great seat of commerce on the Paci- |
nc coast that we may be said to have broken |
down the barriers which fenced in that |
ancient monarchy. Under the spirit which !
inspired the Burlingame treaty, many thou |
aFlda ut IN lal, her
have been instrumental in building railroads, |
and the country has prospered by their in |
dustry. There may be other sections of the |
country where this species of labor may be |
advantageously employed without interfering |
with laborers OF our own race. The message |
speaks of opening China to the worlds COM
merce as shaving enormously benefited the |
Pacific slope, and deprecates policy which
would drive oriental trade and commerce |
from US. 1t concludes TO the effect that
while the pr election of our labor from Asiatic |
may justify this policy, it is
wiser now to make shorter experiment,
with a view of maintaining permanently
only such features as time and experience
laid on the table and ordered printed.
The bill granting right of way through
the Choctaw Indian country to the St.
Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company
was taken up, and Senator Maxey concluded
his argument in favor of the measure.
After much discussion the bill went over
without action.
The House bill admitting free of duty
articles for exhibition at the coming Colo
RADIO xposition.passed.
The Senate adjourned.
House.-Mr. Chalmers introduced bill
amendatory of the apportionment bill. Re-
ferred.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the army appropriation bill.
After lengthy discussion the committee
rose without taking any action.
The Speaker laid before the House a mes
sage from the President, transmitting a COM
from the secretary of state with
regard to prisoners in Ireland.
The House then adjourned.