The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-03-29
FELEGRAPHIC NEWS
THE CHINESE BILL.
Will ihe President Sign 1t? is
Sill the Question.

New York, 28.-The Worlds Wash
lngton On the Chinese bill: The President
has not been thoughtless in respect Of this
measure while it has been pending in
Congress; now that the bill has passed
both branches Of Congress by sufficient
msjorities the logic If the action Of the
President is potent. 1t is urged that the
Presidents party in Congress voted
against the bill and this is true, but the
President has q divided party behind
him, and would not object on one oc-
casion at lesst to show his independence
of both factions, and his Difference TO
democratic votes in Congress. As d
candidate for election to the presidency
under existing circumstances he
can afford to rest for q time
beneath such q charge of being
independents; nor is ha indlspo ed
to obIige the democrats on all occasions.
Dow btless he does not intend to permit
Mr.. Blaine to capture all OF the popu-
larity among the democratic half of the
people, that is within the reach OF re-
publican. Then, as an ambitious man,
what should the President do? The
Pacific slope is an important element in
politics. Mr. Arthur prop sss to obtain
strength ON the Atlantic coast, at the loss
of that on uha other side. The veto
would be fatal to him on the Pacific side
Of the county. The Iaboring men OF the
United States, who do not watch ell the
details Of legislation, would know all
about the veto, and condemn it. Mr..
Arthur is not man of sentiment in any
sense. The vote of Congress
on this bill has been CT unques-
tionable political damage to the
republican party, for the bill was
passed chiefly by democratic votes over
almost united opposition. The Presi-
the blow to his party by signing the bill.
One fact should not be f0rgotten-the
commanding speech in favor Of the bill
in Congress was made by Senator John
P. Jones, of Nevada. Mr.. Jones has
for some years been strong underlying
force in the politics Of the country. He
impressed himself upon the sdministra-
ton Of General Grant; be has, unaided,
kept at least one man Of the presidency;
he has the admiration and confidence of
the President, Of Grant and Of Conkling;
he is fresh, frank, true; has no selfish
mbition to usurp bis advice; IS quick
and we'll informed, and is possessed of
convictions with reasons and of
sagacity. He never copes with
9 subject without exhsusting it.
He knows the Chinese question thor
oughly. While no man Is the keeper of
President Arthur, it is only natural that
he should pay some heed to the counsel
of his closest friend who happens at the
same time to be upon this question the
man of closest and largest Information.
The practical question at last is whether
the Pacific Slope is to remain American
or become Monaghan, and this question
this republic has Ghe right to determine.
Our treaty with China expressly declares
that this government may suspend Chi
nese immigration, but that sueh suspen-
sion shall be reasonable. Onght the
President to exercise the veto power in
hostility to ths judgment of Congress ?
To say that suspension Of the immigra-
ton fer twenty years is q violation OF the
treaty because unreasonable, while q sus-
pension for eighteen or fifteen years
would not be violation Of the treaty,
being reasonable. Would it be wise in
he President to hang his first veto upon
such q proposition? The President is not
He is almost always open
20 conviction. In this instance powerful |
ogic will be required to change his mind. |
Chicago, 2S.-The story Of the Presi- |
lent having indicated intentions OF sign-
ng the Chinese bill is not credited. The
President has given no sign yet. The
general belief is. however, that he will |
7sto it, and indicate that the twenty
year clause should be reduced 10 ten.