The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-14


threatened public order, or if it confined itself
to localities where it was an injury to the inter-,
ests OF the American people, the Government OF
the United States would undoubtedly take
steps TO prevent such accunulationR Of Chi.
nese. II, on the contrary, there was no larger
immigration, or If there were sections of the,
country where such immigration was clearly
benefcial then legislation by the United States
under this power would be adapted to such
circumstances. For example, there might be b
demand for Chinese labor in the South and
surplus OF such labor in California then Con-
gress might legiBIste in accordance with these
facts. In general, the legislation would be In
view of and depend upon the circumstances of
the situation at the moment such legislation
became necessary. N " Sssa~ -ss
The Chinese Commissioners said this ex-
PLANTATION was satisfactory that they had not
intended TO ask for q draft of any special act,
but for some general idea of how the p yer
would be exercised. What had just beer said
gave them an explanation of what they waited.
With this entire accord as to the nearing of
the words they were about to employ ani the
object of the legislation which might be, had
IN consequence, both parties signed the treaty.
In article l, in which the Government Of
China agrees that the Government OF the
United States may regulate, limit or suspend
such coming or residence, but may not abso-
lutely prohibit it, 1t is stated the limitation or
suspension shall be reasonable, and shall apply
only to Chinese whomay go to the United States
as laborers other classes not being included in
the limitation. The legislation takenin regard
to Chinese laborers will be of such character
only as Is necessary to enforce the regulation,
limitation or suspension of immigration The
irstsection 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 laborers ehall be, and
the same is hereby, suspended, and during
such suspension it shall not be lawful for any
Chinese laborer to come, or, having SO come
after the expiration of said sixty days, to re-
rnainin the United States. 7a In sts
L The examination which have made Of the
treaty and of the declarations which its ne
gotIators have left on record of the meaning
of its language leaves mo doubt in my mind
that neither contracting party, in concluding
the treaty of 1880, contaminated the passage OF
an act prohibiting immigration for twenty.
years, which is nearly generation, or thought
that such period would be reasonable suspen-
sion OF limitaton, or intended to change the
provisions of the Burlingame treaty to that ex-
tent, regard this provision of the act as a
breach of our national faith, aud, being unable
toabring myself in harmony with the views of
Congress on this vital point, the honor Of tho
objection to its passage. 20 - s. X =,
Deeply convinced of the necessity of some
legislation on this subject, and concurring
fully with Congress with any of the objects
which are sought to be accomplished, will
avail myself of the opportunity to point out
some other features Of the act which in my
opinion can be modified to advantage. The
classes of the Chinese who still enjoy the
protection of the Burlingame treaty are
entitled to the privileges, immunities and
exemptions accorded the citizens and sub
jects of The most favored nation. We have
treaties vita many powers which permit their
citizens and subjects to reside within the
United States and carry on business under
the same laws and regulations which are en-
forced against citizens Oi the United States.
1 think it may be doubted whether the pro-
visions requiring personal registration and the
taking out of passports, which are not imposed
upon natives, can be required of the Chinese.
Without expressing an opinion on that point
may invite the attention of Congress to the fact
that the system Of personal registration and
passports Ii unueIAsoeratie and hostile to the
spirit OF our institutions i doubt tilo w1suom
of putting an entering wedge of this kind
into our laws. A nation like the United
States, jealous of the liberties of its citizens,
may well hesitate before it incorporates
into its policy q system which is fast
liberal institutions. Wide experience has shown
wfutile such precautions are, and how easily
passports may be borrowed, exchanged, or even
forged by persons interested. If it is, never
theless, thought that q passport is the most
convenient way for identifying the Chinese en-
titled. to the protection of the Burlingame
treaty, it may still be doubted whether they
ought to be required to register. 1t is certainly
our duty. under the Burlingame treaty to make
MI ;4oxJ3r ca,
ton Of the general laws upon them as nearly
like that of our own citizens as we can consis-
tently with our right to shut out the laborers.
No good purpose is served in requiring them to
register. yfG4tgIo ea& s9fls81 J1G37st
MY attention has been drawn by the Chinese
Minister to the fact that the act, as It now
stands, makes no provision for the transit across
the United States of Chinese subjects now re-
siding in foreign countries. thlnk this point
may well claim the attention of Congress in leg
islating upon this subject l have said that
good faith requires US to suspend the immgTa-
ton of Chinese laborers for o less period than
twenty years. / now. add that good policy
points in the same direction. Our intercourse
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 the great
seat of commerce on the Pacific that we may
be said to have broken down the walls which
fenced that, ancient monarchy. The Bur-
lngame treaty naturally followed, and, under
the spirit which inspired it, many thousands Of
Chinese aborers came to the United States. No
one can say the country has not profited by.
their work. They We're largely instrumental in
constructing the railways which connect
the Atlantic and Pacific. The States
of the Pacific are full of evidences
of their industry. Enterprises profit
able to the capitalists and to the la
b bore 80, of Caucasian origin would have
come when it is supposed they are not needed,
and when it is thought by Congress and by
those most acquainted with the subject that it
is best to try to get along without them. There
may, however, be other sections of the country
where this species of labor may be advantage
ously employed without interfering with the
laborers of our own race. It may be a 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 the key to national wealth
and influence. The opening of China to the
commerce of the whole world has benefited no
section of it more than the States of our own
Pacific slope. The State of California and its
great maritime ports especially have reaped
enormous advantages from this source.
Blessed with an exceptional climate, enjoying
agricultural and mining State at its rear,
and the wealth of the whole Union pouring
into it over its lines of railways, San Fran
cisco has an incalculable future, il
our friendly and amicable relations with
Asia remain undisturbeo. 1t needs no
argument to. show the policy which
We now propose to- adopt must have direct
tendency to repel Oriental nations from us, and
drive their trade and commerce into more
friendly hands. 1t may be that the great and
paramount interest of protection Of our labor
from Aslatic competition justfes US in the per-
manent adoption Of this policy, but it Is wiser
in the first place to mike Z shorter experiment
nently only such features as time and experience
may commend. efv 4o ss~fea ar sr
Transmit herewith copies of papers relating
to the recent treaty, which accompanied the
confidential message of President Hayes to the
Senate on the 10th of January, 1881, and also
q copy of the memorandum respecting the act
herewith returned, which was banded to the
Secretaryfof State by the Chinese Minister IN
Washington. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, wAsHINGToN, April 4, 1882.
OBJECTIONS ssUarMARIzED 1.-THE PRESIDENTS
.svfgR eToNoTEs. 9nn ss M
Following are the memoranda attached to the
veto. message 1'.s' ~
L The time axed in the bill, namely, twenty
yes. \, is unreasonable. The language OF
Article i, that sslaborersrs shall not be abso-
lutely prohibited from coming to the United
States, and that, s'suspension shall be reason
able" as well as the negotiations, indicate
that a brief period was intended. A total pro-
hibitlon Of the immigration of Chinese labor