The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-13
The ChInese ErcInsIon.

That, from aud after the expiration OF
ninety days next alter the passage Of this
act, and until the expiration OF twenty
years next after the passage Of this act the
coming Of Chinese labOrerS 10 the United
States beand the slme is hereby suspended.
The bill passed the Senate by 30 to 10,
Over one-third OF the Senate do not appear
on the record as voting. Neither Of the
West Virginia Senators voted. When Mr..
Camden's name was called, he announced
pair with Mr.. Anthony, Of Rhode Island.
The latter is understood to have been op-
posed to tho bill. When Mr.. Davis name
was called he announced a pair with Mr..
Window. We presume it is fair to say
that both our Senators would have voted
for the bill but for these pairs. OF the 20
votes cast for the bill, q were Democrats
and Republicans. OF the 10 votes against
it, 10 were Republicans and Thrown, Of
Georgia, and Davis, OF Illinois-opposition
Some who voted against 1t would have
voted for it had the time been limited to
ten instead Of twenty years, They did not
object to the principle OF the bill, but to
some Of the engraitments on it. Ednunds
was among these, as was Morrill, and also
Sherman. For instance, Mr.. Edmunds be-
lieyed that q suspension for twenty years
was virtually IN infringement Of the treaty
with China, which provides as follows
Whenever, in the opinion Of the Govern.
ment Of the United States, the coming OF
Chinese laborers to the United States, or
their residence therein, affects or threatens
to affect the interests Of that country, or
TO endanger the good order Of the raid
country or OF any locality within the terri.
tory thereof, thegovernment OF China agrees
that the Government Of the United States
may regulate, limit or suspend such COM
ing or residence, but may not absolutely
prohibit it. The limitation or suspension
shall be reasonable.
Senator Ingalls, took the ground that to
suspend this provision twenty years was
really to abrogate it. OF course it would
be If we admit that the suspension might
be regularly renewed at tho expiration OF
each twenty years. On the other hand, the
Senators from the Pacific Coast argued
that ten years would not be a sufficient
period in which to give the law fair trial.
In n few years the agitation 10 procure an
extension Of the treaty would begin again.
The subject would not DO taken out Of
politics. 1t would harass and annoy the
people not only OF California and the Pa
cific slope, but Of all the United States.
1t would be impossible to determine
whether the 10000 Chinese already in this
country are capable Of assimilation or not,
But II in that time the people Of California,
Nevada, and Oregon should change their
minds and decide that they want more
Chinese for any purpose it would be posi-
BILE to repeal the bill, though it might not
be so easy to extend the period.
The bill us it passed the Senate is quite
stringent, and provides as follows: Section
l "suspends" the coming OF Chinese
laborers to the United States for twenty
years. Section . provides fine and impris-
onment for the master Of a vessel who shall
bring such laborers. Section exempts the
Chinese already in the United States, and
Section requires them to register if they
desire to leave the country at any time
and re-enter. Sections 8, 8 and s establish
a system OF registration for privileged
classes Of Chinese entitled to travel in this
country, Sections and 10 regulate the
landing Of Chinese passengers having pass
ports. Section II iorfeits the vessel OF a
master knowingly violating the provisions
OF the act. Other sections prescribe the
duties Of Consular officers, fix the penalties
OF persons aiding in the unlawful landing
Of Chinese, or the entry OF Chinese by a
land route into the United States, and pro-
htbit such coming by land. Diplomatic
officers Of China are excluded from the
requirements Of the act concerning pass
ports, and, by rider, the naturalization
Of all Chinese is prohibited.
There is no doubt but the House o.. Rep
resentatives will concurin the billbyalarre
majority. The overwhelming public SEN
timent Of the Pacific coast has at last made
itself felt and respected in Congress. The
Of the people generally Of this
country are with them, for they know that
in timethis lisa question that will come home
o themslso. They believe in the right OF
our government to exclude undesirable
immigration. They do not believe that
his country is to be converted into a land
II degraded labor. Their views arc sub |
'tantially expressed by the following re-
marks in the Chicago Tribune on this sub
ect
Who are the coolies, and why do thew
'ome TO this country? They are essentially
ilaves, but have q superstitious reverence
or the superiority OF China and its Govern.
nent. They come here TO deSpoil the "Bar.
Darian." They sell themselves 10 live stock
brokers' called the "Six Companies" for a
ERIN Of years In consideration Of having
heir passage TO and from this country paid
hey agree to labor for the Six COMPANIES
or a stated number Of years, and from
heir earnings to!pay back the cost Of their
transportation hither and their return,
lead or alive, to China, paying one-half
i everything they earn. Tho balance
hey take home with them at the
nd Of their seryitude. They ara
hus contract slaves, laboring for one 81
he six Chinese companies, and live here
n the most degraded and impoverished
manner, The agents Of the "Six Compa.
lies" in San Francisco have every cooiie
egistered on bis arrival. They procure
for the coolies, fix and divide
heir wages with them, and when the term
servitude is ended send them home and
eplace them with fresh .bondsmen. No
'hinamen ever comes 70 this country In.
ending to become citizen, and not one
q q thousand ever does. They arrive n
liens, remain as aliens, and 90 away as
liens. N