The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-04-14

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as to the meaning Of the words they were
about to employ and the object of the legisla-
tion which might be had in consequence, the
the Government Of China agrees that the Gov
eminent Of the United States may regulate,
limit, or suspend such coming or residence,
ton or suspension shall be reasonable, and
shall apply only TO Chinese who may go 10 the
United States as labOrers, other classes not
being included in the limitation. Legislation
taken in regard to Chinese laborers win be of
| such Character only as is necessary to enforce
the regulation. limitation. or suspension OF I'M
The first section 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 a1ter the
\ passage of this act, the coming of Chinese Ia
| borers shall be and the same IS hereby suspend
ed; and during such suspension it shall not be
lawful for any Chinese labor!r 10 come, or,
having 80 come after the expiration OF the
| said sixty days, to remain within the United
| States.
The examination which have made of the
| treaty, and of the declarations which Its negO-
| tiators have left on record Of the meaning of
| its language, leaves no doubt In my mind that
| neither contracting party in concluding the
treaty of 1850 contemplated the passage OF an
net prohibiting immigration for twenty years,
which is nearly a generation, or Thought that
such period would be "a reasonable suspen-
sion or limitation or intended to caan t t tne
extent. regard this provision of the act as
breach of our National faith, and being UNI
able to bring myself in harmony with the
views of Congress on this vital point, the hon
or of the country constrains me to return the
act with this objection to its passage.
Deeply convinced of the necessity of some
Legislation on this subject, and concurring
fully with Congress with the objects which
are sought to be accomplished, will avail my
self of the opportunity to point out some
can be modified to advantage. The classes
of Chinese who still enjoy the protection of
the Burlingame treaty are entitled to the
privileges e nd . aaa ptSa a
favored nation. We have treaties with
many powers which permit their citizens
and subjects to reside within the United
sa%e a%s anS 9esuasoas VINCE r
enforced against citizens of the United
States l think it may be doubted
istration and the taking out of passports which
are not imposed upon natives CAN be re-
quired of the Chinese. Without express ng an
opinion on that point, may invite the atten.
ton of Congress to the fact that the system of
personal registration and passports is undem-
ocratic and hostile to the spirit of our institu-
lions. L doubt the wisdom OF putting an en-
nation like the United States, jealous of the
liberties Of its citizens, may well hesitate
before it incorporates into is polty a
Europe before the progress Of liberal in
situations. Wide experience has shown
how futile such precautions are, and how
easily passports may be borrowed, exchanged,
or even forged by persons interested to do SO.
If it is, nevertheless, thought that q pass
port is the most convenient way for identify
ing the Chinese entitled to the protection OF
the Burlingame treaty it may still be doubt
ed whether they ought to be required to regis
ter. 1t is certainly our duty, under the Bur
lingame treaty, to make their stay in the
laws upon them, as nearly like that of our own
citizens as We can consistently with our right
to shut out laborers. No good purpose Is
served in requiring them to register.
My attention has been called by the Chinese
Minister to the fact that the act as it stands
makes no provision for transit across the
United States of Chinese subjects now residing
in foreign countries. I think this point may
well clam the attention of Congress in legis-
lating on this subject l have said that good
faith requires us to suspend the immigration
twenty years. / now add that good policy
points in the same direction. Our inter
course 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 a great seat OF commerce
on the Pacific that we may be said to
have broken down the wall which fenced that
naturally followed. Under the spirit which
inspired 1t many thousand Chinese laborers
came to the United States No one can say the
were largely instrumental in constructing the
railways which connect the Atlantic and Pa
cific slopes. The States of the Pacific are full
prs sas pToabfe to capitalist and to aborers
of Caucasian origin would have been dor
mant but for them. The time has now come
when It is supposed they are not needed and
most acquainted with the subject that it is best
to try and get along without them. There may,
however. be other sections Of country where
this species of labor may be advantagoously
employed without interfering with the labor
crs of our own race. 1t may be the part OF
wisdom as well as good faith to fix the length
this fact Experience has shown that the
trade Of the East Is key to national wealth
and influence. The opening of China to the
no section of it more than the States
of our own Pacific slope. The State of Cali
fornia. and its great maritime ports, especial
this source. Blessed with an exception
al climate, enjoying an unrivaled harbor.
with the riches of the great agricultural and
mining state in hts, its rear. and ,n the wealth
its lines of railway, San Francisco has
an incalculable future if our friendly and
amicable relations with Asia remain undis-
! turbed. 1t needs no argument to show the
policy which we now propose to adopt must
have a direct tendency to repel the Oriental
nations from us and drive their trade and COM
merce into more friendly hands. 1t may be
that the great and paramount interest of pro-
lection to our labor from Asiatic competition
justif1es us in the permanent adoption of this
policy, OuC IL Is Wise III Tue pace W uldk0
a shorter experiment with view of hereafter
maintaining permanently only such features
as time and experience may commend.
l transmit herewith copies of papers relat-
ing to the recent treaty which accompanied
the confidential message of President Hayes
to the Senate the 10th of January, 1881, and
also q copy of the memoranda respecting
the act herewith returned, which was handed
to the Secretary of State by the Chinese Minis
ter in Washington. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. c.,
4th April, 1852.
MEMORANDUM L
The time fixed in the bill-namely: twenty
years, is unreasonable, The language OF Art.
L. that "laborers" shall not be absolutely pro-
hibited from coming to the United States, and
that " suspension shall be reasonable" as well
rs the negotiations, indicate that brief period
was intended. The total prohibition of the inn
migration of Chinese labOrers into the United
States for twenty years would, in my opinion,
be unreasonable, and violation Of the mean
ing and intent of the treaty.
MEMORANDUM II.
The inclusion of skilled labor" in the bill is
an addition to the words and intent OF the
treaty. 1t will operate with harshness upon
class of Chinese merchants entitled to admis-
sion to the United States under the terms OF
the treaty. The shoe merchants and cigar
merchants of China manufacture the goods
they sell at their places Of business, and to
Shut ont the {. skilled labor" they need would