Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-06-29

nounced that II present he would have
voted for the bill. Ibid, page 1850
President Arthur vetoed the bill, and
in the effort made in the Senate to pass
| II over the veto, which failed for want OF
two thirds majority, Senator Harrlson's
vote was one OF the Il noes cast against
| 90 ayes. (Tbid., page 2617.)
On the 25th Of April, 1882, House bill
5SO4, to restrain Chinese immigration,
was favorably reported from the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations by Senator
Miller.
Upon this aud every question in which
the people OF this Coast, irrespective OF
party, were interested, Senator Harrison
was against them.
On an amendment by Senator Ed
munds 10 the clause providing that
"Chinese laborers'' should mean persons
usually engaged in manual labor, which
Jailed OF passage by vote Of 25 noes to
IN ayes, Senator Harrison's vote was
among tie affirmative.
Mr.. Edmunds moved another amend
ment, intended to defeat the purpose Of
the Standardization clause, which also
failed Of adoption. Senator Harrison
was one OF the sixteen who voted in favor
OF 1t, against twenty-five negatives.
The bill was then passed by vote Of
32 to 10, Harrison's vote being among
the latter.
1t should be borne in mind,
in this connection, that the subject
matter under discussion was not new,
that the original Chinese bill had been
vetoed by President Hayes, as the one
under discussion was by President
Arthur; and that no matter in our his
tory had been debated more elaborately
Mr.. Blaine contributing his acumen and
luminous powers Of presentation Of any
matter affecting the cause Of the people,
Thus, while Gen. Harrison erred, it can
not be charged that he erred without
light.
A great deal has been said and will be
said about Gen. Harrison's attitude or
the naturalization Of the Chinese. There
was a distinct proposition to make
naturalization Of the Mongolians as
American citizens impossible. The
official record shows exactly how
Gen. Harrison stood on that ques
ton. OF course he paltered in 6
double sense, as all these fine sill
stocking Republican politicians did. Bu
here is about what he said, quoted from
the Congressional proceedings:
Mr.. President, as this section now
stands in the bill, it is the first time ir
the history OF this nation, that Congress
has undertaken to make prohibitions
against naturalization. The constitution
provides that Congress may make uni
form rules Of naturalization, so that nC
person can be admitted to citizenship
without affirmative action by Congress
do not wish, for one, to have Congress
enact any statute which shall prohibit by
affirmative declaration any person from
becoming citizen. He cannot become
q citizen until Congress shall affirmatively
provide that he may; and, as this section
now stands, it is absolutely unique, prob
ably not only in the history of this coun
try, but of every other, and 30 l move
this change so as to leave the law Just al
it is now in order TO avoid what hereafter
will be very unhappy precedent, | an
afraid, for good many people.
OF course he voted against prohibiting
Chinese naturalization.
Republican men and brethren, if yol
like Harrison, in spite of his pro-Chines,
record, support him. 1t is your privi
lege. But save your poor, imperiled
shrinking consciences, by not lying abou
his record.