Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-17
THE EXCLUSION ACT.

The decision of the Circuit Court of the
United States excluding the Chinese who
arrived at San Francisco since the Scott
bill passed, is properly received by the
people with manifestations of gratifca-
ton. The Chinese question is now very
nearly ended. 1t only remains TO guard
our northern end southern borders against
these unwelcOme immigrants and, thanks
to the efforts Of the California Republican
Congressman, that has been provided for
and gap left by the Scott bill will be speed
lily closed. unless Mr. Cleveland vetoes the
supplemental bill
The decision of the Court shames the
coTardly effort made a few weeks ago to
impeach the Judges. The latter have
proved that Courts were not at fault, by
promptly ruling ont Chinese applicants
the moment there was provided statutory
basis for such action. This would have
been done long ago had the Administration
aud the Democrats in Congress acted as
taey were urged by the Republican Cali
iornia Representatives TO do, and as the
Judges constantly and urgently advised
should be done.
These Judges Interpreted the law as they
found it, snd they could DO nothing else.
For having the courage TO do their duty,
t ey were abused, vilifed and threatened
with impeachment. Had not the Demo.
cratic maragers and majority in the lower
House of Congress tbrottled and put out OF
the way the Fair bill, the Chinese question
would bsve been settled long ago The
Republican Senate passed that exclusion
bill, better, stronger and more direct
measure than a1y ever befure or since in
t-oduced, and sent it to the House, where it
was buried by Mr. Belmont, as Chairman
OF the Foreign Relations Committee.
Though the eyi of Chinese immigration
increased amszingly aad The incoming tide
became more anj more swollen and difficult
to stem, the Republicans in Congress found
1t impossible to secure the passage or even
the consideration Of a restrictive measure
The Presidei gave no ear to their petitions
and replisd u the demands of this Coast
with the question whether TIE Chinsman
could not be christianized snd made good
citizen?
Democratic opposition lied the hands 0!
the friends OF the coast and while Mr.
Cleveland was silent as TO the need OF re.
stIicliye ~ asures be wss busily engaged
in unbolt ing G Cn.uiar doors in Chins foI
the more easy passage of the undesirable
element to these shores. Subseq 1eotl!S
driven by the PEOPLE to some action, ht
negotiated a worthless treaty with China
into which the Republican Senate man
aged to inf1se little vigor; the Admins
tration then conceived the idea of making
political capital for Cleveiand's second
term campaign out of the necessities of the
workingman. Taereupon, with consistent
ins.ncerity, oil. was concoc.ed uade- ,ha
Presidents eye, amendatory to the ten
year exclusion Act OF the late Republican
Administrator, ,sn ] was railroaded through
the House. 1t went to the Senate. aud to
passage, despite the efforts of Mr. Cleve
iansi and his lieutenants to stay it. After
three years of cool indifference 10 The plain;
of this coast he put forward a measure he
never intended to approve His scheme
was TO put upon the Senate the onus of is
rejection. Defeated in this he hesiiased 10
the last moment Of legal delay before be
signed the bill.
It wes thus that aut Of Democratic greed
for place ssms good Tss drawa f5r ne
Pacific Slope.
Naw that the Measure is law. aud that
th Courts declare il % be eonsti'ali3asl
let the Republican party rejoice and coz
gratnlaie he people, for through II alone
thc law heaameD ,ssihieand Chinese exclu
sion as an idea. attained resl zsi,en. TIE
ceG:ts l;avs yineieated themselves, eer Re