The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-04-08

which connect the Atlantic and Pacific
slopes. The States of the Pacific are full
Of evidences Of their industry.
As to the present treaty relations be-
tween that power and the United States,
that sprung from the antsgOnism which
arose between our paramount domestic
interests and our previous relations.
The treaty commonly known as the Bur-
lingame treaty conferred upon Chinese
subjects the right Of voluntary immigr:.-
tiOn to the United States for the purpose
of curiosity or trade or Is permanent
residents, and was in all respects recil,-
r0cal rs to citizens Of the United States
In China. 1t gave to the voluntary cmi-
grant coming to the United States the
right to travel or reside here with all the
privileges, immunities or exceptions en-
jOyed by the citizens or subjects of the
most favored nations. Under the opera
ti0n of this treaty it was found that the
institutions Of the United States and it's
people and their means of obtaining Il
livelihood might be seriously affected by
the unrestricted introduction of Chinese
labor. Congress attempted to alleviate
this condition by legislation. but the act
which it passed proved to Ike in violation
Of treaty obligations. and being returned
by the President with his objections,
failed to become law.
Diplomatic relief was then sought: Il
new treaty was concluded with China.
Without abrOgating the Burlingame
treaty, it was agreed to modify it 80 far
that the Government Of the United
States might regulate or suspend the
coming Of Chinese la!'crers to the Unit
ed States, or their residence therein, but
tt~ank Int hi
them. and that the limitation or suspen-
apply only to Chinese who might come
classes not being included in the limita-
reciprocal. 1t is concession from
China to the United States in limita-
ton of the rights which she WIS enjoy
ing under the Burlingame treaty. 1t
leaves the United States. by its own act,
to determine when and how we will en-
force these limitations. China may,
therefore, fairly have the right to expect
that in enforcing them, We will take
good care not to overstep the grant and
take more than has been conceded to us.
It is but year since this new treaty,
under the operation of the constitution,
became part of the supreme law of the
land, and the present act is the first at
tempt to exercise the more enlarged
powers which it relinquishes to the
United States. 1ly the first article
the United States is empowered to de-
eide whether the coming of Chinese Ia
borers to the United States, or their resi-
dence therein, affects. or threatens our
interests, or endangers good order, either
within the whole country or any part OF
it. The Act recites that in the opinion
of the Government of the United States
the coming Of Chinese labOrers to this
country endangers good order in certain
localities thereof. But the Act itself is
much broader than the recital. 1t acts
upon residents rs we'll rs on iinl.,i-
grafton. Its provisions are effective
throughout the United States. think
it may fairly be accepted as All express
sion of the opinion Of Congress that the
coming Of such lalWrers IL the United
States Or their residence here affects our
interests and endangers good or,ler
throughout the country, and on this
point feel it my duty to accept the
views Of Congress. The first article
further cOnftrs the power upon this
Government to regulate, limit or s,,s-
pend, but not actually to prohibit the
coming Ut such lal,Orers t.. or their resi-
dence in. the United States.
The negotiators of the treaty have
recorded with unusual fullneS>.
their understanding Of the sense and
meaning in which these words were
used, and the class of persons 10 be af-
fecteti ly the treaty. The Americans
inserted in their draft of the provisions.
that the words ''Chinese lil'urers signi-
fled all immigration other than those
who came for teaching, trade, travel.
study and curiosity. The Chinese Oi'-
jectetl to this, that it operated to include
artisans in the class Ot lalN,rers who's"
emigration might be forbidden. The
Americans replied tha: they could not
consent that artisans should be excluded
from the class Of Chinese la'OrrrS. for II
is this very competition OF skilled labor
in cities were Chinese Labor inlni gr.t-
tiOn concentrates which has caused en-
b:lrrassinent and popular discomfort. 1t
intended to ask for no draft Of any >l"'-
ciic Act, but tor some general i,lc:, how
the power would he exercised. What
h;,! just been said gave them the cNpla-
nation they wanted. with their enlirr
accord ;.s to the meaning of the words
they were about to employ in regard to
the object Of the Legislation which might
be had, and in consequence the parties
signed the treaty.
In article one Of the treaty the Gov
ernnlent Of China agrees that the Gov
ernment Of the United States may rcg,l-
late, limit Or suspend such coming or
residence, but my not absolutely pro-
hibit; the limitation or suspension, shall
be reasonable and shall apply entirely to
those Chinese who may goto the United
States as laborels, other classes not he
ing included in the Limitation. I.eg!s-
lation taken in regard to Chinese Ia or
ers will be Uf such character only as is
necessary 10 enforce the regulation. linz
itatiOn or suspension Of migration.
The first section of the net provides that
"from and after the expiration Of sixty
days next after the int,sa.e If this act
and until the expiration Of twenty years
next after the passage Of this act the
coming Of Chinese !ahorcr, hc, and the
same is. hereby suspended; and durn.
such suspension it shall not be Lawful!
for any C.l:.i;:,.. ltborers to come, ar
having so come after the expiration of
said sixty days. to relnain within the
United States"