The true northerner., 1882-04-14

meant. for example, that the Chinese should be
allowed to go in alternate years. or every third
year, or, for example, that they should not DO
>llowed to 10 for two three or i've years
At a subsequent conference the Americans
said tho Chinese Commissioners have in their
project explicitly recognized the right of tho
United States to use some discretion, and have
proposed limitation al TO time and number.
This is the r. ght to regulate, limit or suspend.
In one of the conferences tho Chinese asked
the Americans whether they could give them
any idea of the laws which would be passed to
carry these powers into execution. The Amer-
cans answered this could hardly be done that
the United States Government might never
deem it necessary To exercise this power 1t
would depend upon circumstances. II Chinese
immigration concentrated in cities where it
threatened public order, or II it confined itself
10 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 accumuations Of Chi
nese. II, on the contrary, there was no larger
immigration. or If there were sections OF tho
country where such immigration was clearly
beneficial, then legislation by the United States
under this power would be adapted TO such
circumstances. For example, there might be
demand for Chinese labor in tho South and
surplus OF such labor in California then Con-
gress might legsiate 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.
The Chinese Commissioners said this ex-
PLANTATION satisfactory that they had not
intended to ask for draft Of any special act,
but for some general idea OF how the power
would be exercised. What had just been said
gave them an explanation Of what they wanted.
With this entire accord as to the meaning OF
ths words thev were about to employ aud the
object Of the legislation which might be had
In consequence, both parties signed the treaty.
In article i, in which the Government OF
China agrees that tho Government of the
United States may regulate limit or suspend
such coming or residence, but may not abso-
lutely prohibit it, ii Is stated the limitation or
suspension shall be reasonable, and shall apply
only to Chinese who may go to the United States
"a laborers, other classes not being included in
the limitation The legislation taken in regard
to Chinese laborers will be OF such character
only az is necessary to enforce the regulation,
limitation or suspension of immigration. The
first section OF the act provides HAT 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 shall 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-
main in the United States.
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 no doubt in my mind
tEat neither contracting party, In concluding
the treaty OF $780, contemplated the passage OF
an act prohibiting immigration for twenty
years, which is nearly generation, or thought
that such period would be reasonable suspen-
sion or limitation, or intended to change the
provisions of the Burlingame treaty to that ex-
tent. i regard this provision or the act as
breach Of our national faith, and, being unable
TO bring myself in harmony with the views OF
Congress on this vital point, the honor 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 concurrlng
fully with Congress with any OF the objects
which sought to be accomplished, l will
avail myself OF the opportunity to point out
some other features OF the act which III 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 with 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 OF the United States.
visions requiring personal registration and the
taking out Of passports, which are not impose
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 aud
passports Ii undemocratlc and hostile TO the
spirit OF our institutions L doubt tne wisdom
OF putting entering wedge Of this kind
into our laws. A. nation like the Unite,
States, jealous of tho liberties of its citizens,
may well hesitate before it incorporates
into its policy system which il fast
disappearing in Europe before the progress of
liberal institutions. Wide experience has shown
how futile such precautions are, and how easily
passports may be borrowed, exchanged, or even
forged by persons interested. III 1t Is, never
theless thought that a passport Is the most
convenient way for Identifying the Chinese en-
titled to the protection OF the Burlingame
treaty, it NAV still be doubted whether they
ought to be required to register. 1t is certainly
our duty under the Burlingame treaty to make
their stay in the United States and the opera
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 III requiring them to
register.
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 Ill 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 imm gra-
| ton Of Chinese laborers for q less period than
twenty years. l 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 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 laborers came TO the United States. No
one can say the country has not prohted by
their work. They were 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 Ia
borers OF Caucasian origin would have
been dormant but for them. The time has now
come when it is supposed they are not needed,
aud when it is thought by Congress and by
those most acquainted with the subject that It
il 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. 1t may be a part OF
wisdom, as well as good faith, to tix the length
| of the experimental period with reference to