New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-04
THE CHINESE BILL PASSED.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON THE DOIPH AND
GEARY BILLS ADOPTED By THE SENATE.

Mt. SHERMAN VOTES SGMNST TIE MEASURE AS
BEING VIOLATION OF THE TREATY.
tsY TELEGRAPH TO TIRE TRIBUNE
Washington May 3-Thc Senate agreed today, by
vote OF two one, to accept the reports OF the co'
ferrees on the Dolph and Gcary AntiChinese DIS
srd there is little doubt that the House Will take
similar action before the end Of the week Ihe
changes made by the conference committee were
tuI,y analyzed In last nights dispatches and the
mint was made clearly then that In abandoning the
new and extrevagant wholesale exclusion policy Oh
the original Geary bill the conferrecs had removed all
substantial objection in either branch OF Congress to
the re.cnactmcnt and extension OF the present laws
prohibiting the entrance Of Chinese labcIcrs.
Mr. sherman DID not sign the report because tic
contends that the new precautions taken against 'e
evasion Of existing laws are, Is freely adhttco' III
cp.n violation Of the terms OF the treaty OF 1891
Mr. Sherman opposed the Scott law OF 1883 on the
same indisputabe ground and he did not Ieei ho"
as IL he could consent TO sanction an adci'ohai Ho
lation OF the treaty though he would ao' una.
the new registration and bail paragraphs are cacucu
10 make the enforcement Of the law OF 1890 more
certain and effective. g.
SoyerI other Senators also declined to vote FOR
F,e renort because II practically committed them 10
condonipc the original violation OF the treaty. Inc
preat majority, however. arguing that the treaty hu
already been broken beyond question, ana ti'' tne
rossible the present laws against the Intrusion OF
he.p chinese labor readily accepted the conference
renort as a practical and satisfactory compromise
Rv n rather careless wording, the new registration
section Is made 10 require the testimony OF "wmte
Witness in cases where unavoidable Inability to pro
cure q certificate is alleged by Chnaman arrested
without one. In their natural desire to discriminate
against exclusive Chinese testimony which Is noton
ousy false and perjuicd, the conferees have thus m
intentionally ruled out all colored American citizens as
lawful witnesses. Though practically this slip may
have no serious consequences in California and on the
Pacific Coast generally, yet theoretically the new Ia"
may be judged TO be gravey at fault in thus denying
the competency of large class Of American CITIZENS
to appear as witnesses In so restricted range
Of cases.
As soon as the conference report was read, MI
Sherman stated that although a member OF the Con-
ference Committee he had not been able TO sign the re-
port. lie willing TO provide any necessary legs
aton for the restriction Of Chinese labor and Thought
that the Senate bill had done so very broadly II haa
proposed continue in force the existing laws, win
penalties for their violation by C.namen coming into
the United States. especially through Canada lie
looked upon the introduction OF Chinese abores through
Canada as insult TO the United states. They were
allowed TO enter Canada on payment OF charge OIL
ESQ head, and with the privilege of entering the
United States in violation of law. That was not
courteous treatment on the part OF Canada
1t was Just incidents like that which tended to create
excitement and irritation along the border and which
would some day be the OF great difficulty Mr..
Sherman speak of the provision in the con-
ference report requiring the Chinese laborers now in
the country TO procure certificates as one that initiated
a new departure OF government in this country and as
being on a parity with the "tlckct ofleave" system.
II that provision in the conference report that
raised the real doubt in his mind whether not In
violation of the treaty of 1880. the first article of
htch cd hat
States should be allowed go and OF their free
will and accord. and should receive all the rights priv
teces immunlties and exemptions accorded TO the
citizens and subjects of the most favored nation.
Mr.. Dolph, another OF the Senate conferrees. de-
Tended the report although he would have preferred
Che said Concurrence in the bill passed by the Senate.
lie did not any objection TO tlc registration pro
vision. but thought that 1t would be rather benefit
to the Chinese who were now in the United States rs
being evidence Of their right to remain.
Mr.. Morgan. tia third Senate conerIec. argued that
there was q precedent for the certificate provision
in tile fact that the Indians reservations 1.-THE
original OF the whole country were not allowed
to leave the reservation without the consent Of the
Indian agent or Of the military authorities.
Mr.. Dawes opposed the conference report as being
In violation OF the treaty.
Mr.. Vest said that he had no disposition TO violate
treaties but sefpreservaton the first law OF
was agiecdtO-yeas 30: nays. has follows.
Mr.. Plat spoke against the conference report and
said that the provision requiring Cinnamon 10 apply
for certificates meant practically. that all Cinnamon
now I'm the United States would have TO leave in
year or be imprisoned and then sent back 70 China
because OF the difficulty OF their proving their right
to remain. .
Mr.. Call declared himself In opposition not only %
The conference report. but to the principle on winch
tho whole anti Chinese legislation was founded.
Mr. Hiscock argued that Congress had the same
right TO legislate restricting the admission OF foreigners
10 this country as It had to lcgslate for restricting
the importation Of foreign products.
The vote then taken. and the conference report
was agreed 10 yeas 30: nays. 10, ms 10iiows: -
Ycas-Messrs. Acn Allison, Chandler Cockrell'
Cullom, Doph. FELTON,, GalllDgcr. German, Hans
irnigh Harris Iscock. Jones. tArk): Mcpherson.
Mitchell. Morgan, PETER Perkins Power, Ransom
sanders Sloup, squire, stanford: stewart stoch6ndsc
Vest Wa,tha. Warren ard White-3O
Nays-Messrs. Bate Call. Colqutt, Dawes. Dixon
Frye George. Gray. Higgins. Kyle, Palmer, Platt,
rugi, sherman and Wison-13.