New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-11
CONGRESS AND THE CHINESE.

The second Chinese Restriction Treaty mas
had the same effect as the iirst-that OF Sui'-
ulot;nc the immigration Of Chinese VINO are
onxious to get into the country before the pro
b;bitiop takes effect. A long memorial which
has lust been adopted in san Francisco pS
citizens committee, including the chalrmeh VI
the Republican and Democratic state commit
toes makes some interesting statements y"
tbis nont. 1t asserts that the Chinese are
coming in at the rate of loo per month"; h"'
moro than n small percentage of whom, II is be-
Teved. have right to enter the country Lbs
increase is due to fear Of action hy Congress
unon the new treaty. It is even alleged thaO
+boro are as many rs 10000 Cinnamon wait
ing in China to be shipped to our shores Each
ono If these represents $3.50 in fees ana eN-
nenses for transportation ana lahdIhS' anu '"'
sum. the committee states, Is constant III
ccntiye to evasion Of the law by unscrupuiouS
sncculators and officials TIE committee makes
an earnest appeal to the House committee oh
Tr,r,i cration. of which Mr.. Ford is chairman
80 ,,;si+ Gan Francisco and look into this sub
ject.
The action of the Republicans Of the senate
in passing so promptly, with only Democratic
votes in opposition, bill to carry the treaty
into effect will undoub teddy be gratefully re-
ceived On the Pacific Coast. Thus far the rate
Of arrivals does not seem to be so great as II
was during the period between the negoua'loh
Of tho former treaty and the time at when
Congress caused it to take effect. Between
November II. 1880, the date Of the treaty,
ord August r. 1882. when the ninety days OF
grace allowed by Congress EXPIRED the arrivals
Of Chinese by steamer alone at san Francisco
reached 1866, or an average OF about I'HS
nor month. II is singular fact that the I'M
m;cration has scarcely diminished at all since
the policy of restriction was hrst pun III iorue'
and seems now to be increasing largely n'
first immigration of any Importance was III
1852. and in the following 7wenty-elgh' year
and ten months, ending at tho date ol uh'
treaty in 1880, the average number OF Chinesc
arrivals at San Francisco alone each year was
I8.772. or monthly average OF about 81
making a total during that period OF 2o3,ooo
During the six years and seven months follow
ing the date of the treaty, ana endlhg VIII
lime 30. 1887, the average number OF arrival
annually at San Francisco was l2,4l4, or
monthly average of O3i, being relative IN
crease over previous years of nearly 90 pc
cent. Between August 5, 1882, when the Re
strction act first went into effect, and Jun
30. 1887, there arrived at that port by steame
alone SO, 56i Chinese or yearly average o
1862: a monthly average Of 62l-almost ex
actly equalling the arrivals during the thre
wears Immediately preceding the negotiation
, Of the treaty. But still more striking figure
can be given. The largest Chinese immigra
ton we have ever known, with one exception
. was during the first six months of 1881 whe
, they came at the rate Of 1857 month, @
22.297 annually. The exception was durin
the period Just noted, when the Chinese wer
hurrying into this country after the treaty ha
been signed and before the law was to TAX
{ effect.
, These figures are strong presumptive ey
}. dence of fraud. In fact, they may almost b
said to be conclusive proof of it. conili'
3 which has arisen between the courts and cu'
toms officials ut San Francisco makes fraud