Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-05-13
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Congress Discussing the
Chinese Question.
THE COMMON CARRIER BILL
Its Provisions to be Enforced by 9
Observation-Disclosures the
Chinese Question.

Special 10 the Herald bV the Assoetdted Pressl
WASHINGTON, May l2.--In the House
to-day Mr.. Belmont gave history of the
Chinese massacre at Rock Springs, Wy
oming Territory, saying that none of the
persons engaged In the outrage appeared
to be American citizens. Rock Springs
consisted of two settlements, one inhab-
tied by Welshmen and Swedes, and the
other by Chinese, all receiving the same
rate Of pay for eight years. The white
and Chinese miners had lived pesosably
until last summer, when strike was at.
tempted to be organized by the white
miners, in which the Chinese refused to
take part. The evidence was clear aud
satisfactory, and that no other cause of
offense was given. On the second OF
September white miners to the number
Of one hundred and fifty armed them.
selves with rifles and made an attack on
the defenseless Cinnamon, killing twenty.
eight and wounding many others, and
burning and plundering their quarters.
BY the passage of this resolution the
United States would express its sympathy
with the victims of wrong that the
United States could not prevent or fore
see. All considerations as to the respon-
sibility of the Federal government in its
relation to the State aud Territorial ju.
risdiction should be waived in the per
Torrance of plain duty.
THE QUESTION DISCUSSED.
FELTON,, of California, thought ii the
Committee on Foreign Affairs had ex-
pended its time in examining the causes
under which these outrages arise-if it
had looked into the history of the past
| it would have found that these outrages
were the natural result OF Chinese immi.
grafton. The committee should have
addressed its attention to remedying the
evil, rather than palliating and paying
for scenes like this.
Morrow, of California, said that stand
ing alone on the measure was one of
doubtful propriety; but, considering the
relations between China and the United
States and the necessity for further leg
islation and for treaty stipulations abso-
lutely prohibiting the immigration Of
Chinese subjects, he was disposed to
think that the benevolence of Congress
might be an act Of wisdom. He was in
favor of the resolution because il weuld
strengthen the Executive in his attempt
to secure the concert of China to put
stop to immigration.
McKinna, Of California, expressed his
horror OF the outrsges perpeirated at
Rock Springs. 1t was not clear to him
that the outbreak of the antipathy In
which no Americans participated had
any attention upon the consideration of
Congress.
Hit, of Illinois, denied that the reso.
luton would set bad precedent, but on
the contrary not to pass 1t would be q
departure from the settled line of policy
and would be a
VIOLATION OF NATIONAL HONOR.
He cited numerous cases in which the
United States had demanded and re-
ceived from China indemnity for injuries
and insults perpetrated on American
citizens.
WorthiDgtou, of Illinois, favored the
resolution. The United States boasted
that il was Christian nation. He be-
lieved it was on a plane of civilization
| higher than China. 1t sent missionaries
to heather China. Should it be said
that the United States would refuse
that indemnity to China which China
had already made to the United States
In similar casess He was willing to base
his action on the broad principle of
equity.
Pending further discussion, the morn
inc hOur nassed