Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-05
THE ANTI-CHINESE BILL.
Returned TO the senate with the Prest.
dents Objection Thcrcto-rhc Twen.
tyY Years Suspension the Chief Cause
of the Veto.

WASHINGTON. April 4-1mmediately after
the reception Of the Presidents message
vetoinC the i.Chinese bill the President
pro TEN suspended operations 10 lay the
communication before the Senate and dl-
rccted il to he read. The reading OF the
message was listened to with marked atten-
ton BY all the Senator'S. The message and
bill were then temporarily laid on the
table and ordered printed. The
Vital Objection
of the President i TO the twenty year sus-
pension of immigration, which he construes
rs virtually prohibitory and therefore vio-
lative OF spirit il not of letter negotiations
upon which the treaty was based, and as a
breach of national faith. The message calls
attention To propositions made by United
States commissioners on this point and
counter propositions on the part of China
to show that an understanding Of the latter
country in an agreement which was ult-
mately made was that immigration would
lie limited or
Restricted 10 a Reasonable Period.
The President then points out other fea'
lures OF the act which in his opinion, can
be modified to advantage. The system Of
personal registration and passports is
specifically mentioned rs un.Democratic
and hostile To our institutions, and he
alludcs to the omission of the act 10 make
any provision for the transit 10 China OF
the Chinese subjects now residing in for
eign countries to which subject, the Pres
ident adds his attention has been called by
the Chinese Minister. The message refers
to the
Alleged Benefits TO It's IndustrieS
derived by the Pacific slepe from the pres
enCe OF Chinese. which heretofore eX-
han sin nf
upon American commerce with China, OF
legislation ui character Of that proposed,
unless carefully guarded, and without nam
ing any specific period of suspension,
suggests that the length OF the term should
be experimental.
In discussing the meaning OF the word
"Laborers,'
rs used in the treaty the President comedies
that it includes artisans" or skilled labor
crs. In regard to the term Of suspension,
he says "Thc examination which ] have
made of the treaty, and OF the declarations
which its negotiations have left on record
Of the meaning, its language leaves no
doubt in my mind that neither contracting
party in concluding the treaty OF 1890 con.
templated the passage of an act prohibiting
immigration for twenty years, which is
Nearly a'.Gencrntion,
or thought that such period would be- a
reasonable suspension or limitation, or
indeed to change the provisions OF the Bur
lingame treaty TO that effect. ] regard this
provision of the act as a breach Of our
National faith, and being unable TO bring
myself in harmony with the views Of Con
gross upon this vital point the
Honor or the Country
constrans me to return each act with this
objection to its passage adding that good
policy as well asgOod faithrequires modi-
fication Of ~ years suspension. The Pres.
idcnt says our first treaty with China Is not
yet 80 years old. and that ii is only since
We acquired California and established n
great seat OF commerce Oh the Pacific that
We may be said TO have
Broken Down the BRrricrs
which fenced in that ancient monarchy.
Under the spirit which inspired the Bur.
lingamc treaty many thousand Chinese
laborers came here. These have been in
strumental in building railroads and the
country has prospcred by their industry.
There may be other sections Of the country
where this specie Of labor may be adyan.
tageously employed without interfering
with labOrCrs Of our own race. The mes.
sage speaks OF opening China 10 the worlds
commerce as having enormously benefited
the Pacific slope, and dcprcCateS n policy
which would drive the Oriental trade and
commerce from the United States II con-
cludcs TO the effect that while protection 10
our labor from Asiatic Comret tion may jug
tify this policy, il is wiser now to make
shorter experiment with a view 10 main
tanning permanently only such features rs
time and experience commend.