Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-23
THE DEMOCRATIC ANTI-CHIEESE
PLEDGE.

The San Francisco Alta, in 4 temperate
and thoughtful editorial, excerpts to the
conclusions of the REooRD-U UNION con-
corning the reported declaration of the
President in opposition TO any anti-Chi-
nese legislation by the present Congress.
1t holds that he has nos as we stated.
placed his party in an awkward dilemma.
IN the light Of the platform declarations.
We trust that we are in error. The Aha
cannot be more gratified than we if it shall
so develop. One of the California Repnb
ilcan congressman now in this State last
week assured us of his belief that the Pres
ident is not antagonstic to the desired leg
islation. Mr. Morrow, in recent inter
view, expressed himself in like manner,
but he was not able to report any affirma-
ton by the President OF friendliness to apv
OF the restriction bills. Twice within ten
days the Associated Press reporters have
telegraphed from Washington as fact that
both Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Bayard op-
pose tie legislation asked for, because as
they hold, the measures advanced are in
violation of existing treaty obligations
III these reports we have seen no deniaIs.
We may even assume that the Alto gives
them credit, since it fails to express its dis
belief IN them. In the absence, therefore.
OF any suggestion by the President looking
to such modification of the treaties. or
their abrogation, as to conform to the plat-
form declaration of the party to whom MIR.
Cleveland owes his accession to Office. the
inference is legitimate that the Admins
tratlon IS adverse to anti-Chinese legisla-
ton
But the Alta holds that there is no
proof that the President lacks sympatbv
with anything which tends to change in
the labor system in this State without loss
disaster or violation of international obi
cations which will involve the Federal
Government in costly controversy In
deed, says our contemporary, "the proof
Is the other way, for he has, as rapidly as
consistent with other interests of the nub-
lie service changed the official agencies at
al! our Pacific ports to secure the rigid en-
foreement of the Restriction Act, and since
these changes were made there is abso-
lntely perfect evidence of the COMPLETE en-
foreement of that law"
But 1t must be apparent to the Alta that
TINS IS not enough; it does not meet the
demand of the popular voice on this coast,
which must be assumed to be right. since
however much difference of opinion there
may be regarding methods to be employed
to given end, there is practical unanim-
lty that 1t is undesirable to increase the
Monaghan population, and that its pres
ence here is not conservative of the best
interests Of our industrial and producing
classes The demand of the countrv-at
least this side of it's that there be some
thing more Of the reciprocal character in
troduced into these international obliga-
tons" That, applied to China, would
limit immigration by treaty convention 10
the very narrow bounds that compass the
privileges accorded Americans in the En-
pre- Nor is it true that the Restriction
Act is fully effective. The drumming of
the border" has not been checked; the
transit " regulation of the Treasury De-
partment is an open door for the influx of
the undesirable element.
There IS neither legal nor moral oh,;ra-
ton for adhesion to treaty stipulat;ors
that are found to be onerous and iniur;o,,s
The history of the nation gives presidents
for the atrogation Of unwholesome treaties.
the supreme interpreter OF constitutional
aai Legislative powers, has held that the
nation Is justified in legislating adversely
to treaty obligations, whenever the supreme
legislative authority determines the need
and wisdom of such action.
The platform of the Democratic party in
foreeiul language declares against the
importation of foreign labor, or the adj
mission OF seryile races untitled by habits.
training, religion or kindred for absorb
ton into the great body of our peo-
pie, or for the citizenship which our
laws confer. American civilization de-
mands that against the immigration or i'm
portat;on OF Mongo,ians to these shores
our gates be escsed.' There is no qualif-
cation in these declarations that the gates
shall under any. circumstances be ajar, or
that treaty possible to construction that