The morning call., 1890-12-05
TO HEAR THE PEOPLE.
A Congressional Committee Here
for That Purpose.
Testimony to Be Taken in Reference to Immi-
grafton aud Naturalization-The Chi
ness Exclusion Act.

The members of the subcommittee of the
Joint Congressional Committee on Immigra-
ton and Naturalization, with their attaches,
arrived yesterday in a special car. The
members of the subcommittee are: Senator
Watson c. Squire of Washington, Repre-
sentative Lehbach of New Jersey and Rep
resentatiye Stump of Maryland. With them
came General Charles b. Reade Of Maine,
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate;
A. b. Lands, Clerk; K NJ. Lands, steno-
grapher; Is. n. Stump, nephew of Congress-
man Stump; Mrs. Senator Squire and Mrs.
General Reade.
The members of the party were driven
from the ferry to the Palace Hotel, where
apartments had been secured by telegraph.
In the evening they were escorted through
Chinatown by Collector Of the Port Phelps
and Police Sergeant Houghtaling. The
first session of the committee will be held at
the Palace Hotel, at 10 O'clock this morning,
when evidence will be given by the wit
nesses summoned by Collector Phelps.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
The entire Joint Committee consists of
the following: SenatorS-Chandler of New
Hampshire, Eustis of Louisiana, Hale of
Maine, Squire of Washington, Power of
Montana. voorhees, of Indiana. Mcpherson
of New Jersey. Daniels of Virginia and
Evarts of New York; Representatives
Lehlbach of New Jersey, Croart of New
York, Stump. of Maryland, Oates of Ala
bama, De Haven of California, Owen of
Indiana and Brewer of Michigan.
When seen last night by CALL reporter
and asked what steps the committee was
taking in the direction OF carrying out the
impOrtoDt work for which Congress made
an appropriation of $4,000, Senator Squire
10 In OH nf rr.,.
lay before Congress the facts relating to
the classes Of immigration which have been
received in various sections of the United
States, and the opinions of the people rela-
tive to any change that may be proposed in
the laws bearing on immigration and natu.
raliZation.
Another branch of the subject, but re-
lating to the same general matter, is the
question of alien contract labor. AT New
York City, where the padrona system of
contract labor was in vogue, a result of the
investigation was an entire change in the
methods OF conducting Castle Garden"
COURTESY THE PEOPLE PAY FOR.
" The visit Of the subcommittee to this
Coast IS an act of courtesy by Congress.
We have taken testimony in Spokane Falls,
Port Townsend, Tacoma, Seattle and Port
land. The immigration question does not
relate solely to the Chinese, but in view of
the situation on this Coast we have paid
great attention to all matters in reference to
the necessity of their exclusion. We have
taken the testimony of the Collectors of
Customs, their deputies, inspectors, the
United States District Attorney for the
State OF Washington, the mayors Of cities,
leading citizens, including editors and rail-
way contractors, the last mentioned in
reference to alien contract labor.
- This committee desire the people of the
Pacific Coast to understand that Congress is
gathering facts relating to the subjects
mentioned; also their views and opinions
relative to proposed or needed changes in
the existing laws. We would also like to
hear the views of the leading men of the
labor unions. If they have any proposals
or suggestions in reference TO amendments
of the United States laws on the subject we
would like to hear them.
ON BUSINESS.
This committee is not on a jlnketing
trip, but out on business, and is taking testi-
mony from six to eight hours daily. Ali the
evidence taken goes into printed report
and will probably be presented al the pres
ent session of Congress.
The general sentiment of the people on
this Coast i'll regard to the Chinese is that
clusion Act, is a good one and should be
more strictly inforced. 1T may be necessary
to introduce into the law a few new
features, such as new certificate system, or
perhaps perpetual certificates"
The committee will be engaged in the
work several day ySshere, after which it will
visit Los Angeles and San Diego, but with
out Senator Squire, who goes from this city
to Washington, ID. c., where Important
measures require his immediate attendance
In Congress.