The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-27
The senate.

After the transaction OF routine
business Senator Mitchell fore OBJ
tanned the floor 10 deliver a speech on
the bill recently introduced by him
to provide for the abTogation Of all
treaties permitting the immigration OF
Chinese to the United States. AS San
ator Mitchell was about 10 proceed
Senator Hale ta.d IL was so late yes.
teTday when Senator George com-
pIeted his speech on the education
bill that he (Senator Hale), hal not
thought 1t worth while then to inter-
fsre with the consideration OF the bill
named, but now gave notice that to-
day, on the completion OF Senator
Mitchell's remarks he would move
that the Senate proceed TO the consid-
Grafton Of executive business. Sen
ator Mitchell then addressed the Sem
ate.
Hetaid the people of the whole Pa
ofic cast were to-day suffering from
tho presence of large numbers of un-
clean, nou-assimilating and pagan
races. Impending over them and
gradually extending eastward like a
cloud Of wrath, the evil imperiled la
b0r, prosperity, peace, even life ITSELF
To eradicate the scourge heroic treat
mant would be necessary. A more
decided and aggressive governmental
step than had yet been taken
would be necessary, The meaus OF
relief could not properly be availed oil
while preserving the present treaty
stipula ions with the Chinese govern
ment. Neither coald we expect, with
in any reasonable time, to secure re-
lief by negotiations with that 60 sern-
ment. Hence 1t was that the bill sub
m.tted by him Mr.. Mitcheli) pro-
posed that the States aud people Of
this republic, through Congress and
the executive, or by two thirds OF
CONGRESS without the approval of the
executive, should remove the OBJ
etruetlons by first wiping out Of exist
ence ali treaties which recognise the
coming ot Chinese to the United
States, and then absolutely prohibit
ing their coming, except in the case
OF consular and diplomatic officials.
Mr.. Mitchell argued at length to
show that the United states
has the power TO abrogate, by act o.
Congress, q treaty With foreign ma
ton, and that the magnitude OF the
evil to the remedy justified as pro-
POSED. Senator Mitchell read a mum,
Der Of newspaper articles to show that
the recent anti-Chinese disturbances
! 10 the West were not the work { ( an
irresponsible or hoodlum element
They we're the voice Of honest labor,
| the vail OF indignant toll struggling
Tor life in the unequal contest with
servile labor. The Bnrlingame treaty
he said, WAS valueless to the United
States. This point the speaker en-
larged upon with detail and circum'
stance, quoting ttltist cs Of our com
merce with China in support of his
contention, Senator Mitchell, in con,
clusion, said: This bill, unlike oul
restriction acts and proposed acts, Il
not elastic. 1t is absolutely iron
clad. 10 leaves nothing to construc
ton. It is the conclusion, 1t is moi
open TO the objection Of being liable
10 have its vitality Slapped or its eff.
cheney desti Dyed by departmental OIL
judicial decisions. No delicate cues.
lions as 10 a conflict between act and
treaty are left open for construction
or determination by either count
or department. The conflict
that is wsged on this subject
Of the Asiauc occupation OF this
country is hs irrepressibe as the con-
flict that resulted in the oyerthrow OF
human slavery, Ii is a conflict for
supremacy on American coil between
intelligent, enlightened and honest
American labor and the cheap and de-
graded lsbor OF the lowest order OF the