The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-21
CHINESE WILL FIGHT.
A Letter From the Presidents
Of the Six Companies.
COOLIES WILL NOT REGISTER.
The New Law Said to Be Unconstitu-
tional, In Violation OF Treaty and
Barbarous in Principle.

SAN Francisco, Sept. 2o-The Call tomorrow
will publish letter from the presidents of the
Chinese SIX Companies to Collector of Internal
Revenue John c. Quinn, sent in response TO All
inquiry by the collector rs to whether not it
was true that the Six COMPANIES had advised
Chinese laborers not to comply with the provs-
ions OF the Chinese registration Law passed at the
last session of congress. The president Of the
Six Companies say to the collector that they
have issued circular advising Chinese laoorers
that the law is unconstitutional and cannot DO
enforced, and that they have suggested to the
labo.ers that they do not comply with the law.
The presidents say their circua: wss based
upon advice OF THAR attorneys, and they declare
that the registration law il unconstitutional
aud in violation of treaty rights. In support OF
the assertion that the law is unconsti; utional
they say that the law makes no distinction be.
/ tween Chinese who are aliens and Chinese who
are citizens of the United States; that a citizen
OF the Chinese race is entitled to the same
rights and privileges as these of the Caucasian
race. ana that no law can be passed which is in
tended to apply to one class of people and not
to another.
The letter states that all laws must DO equal
and uniform; that congress has no power to pass
law lniiic.ing the penalty Of deportatiou;
that the law Is against the provisions of the
constitution relating to deprivation OF life,
liberty aud property and relating to cruel and
states that the Chiese now residing here who
came here under existing laws arc entitled to
remain. The letter then declares that the
treaty between the United states and China
provides that Chinese visiting or residing in the
United States shall have the same rights
and privileges as are enjoyed by citizens
or subjects of the most favored nations.
1t says that while congress- has
thei right to abrogate or nullify
treaty, the supreme court of the United states
has dccreed that such abrogarion or nulifica-
ton must be in express terms and not by impli-
cation. 1t declares that congress has not so
abrogated or nullifed the treaty with China,
and it then quotes the provision of the consti-
tuition tina. ali treaties, we'll the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States, shall be the
supreme law of the land The letter declares
further that no law is constitutional which i'm
poses upon Chinese subjects residing in the
United States burdens, rsstrictions and penalties
which are not imposed upon subjects of other
powers residing in the United states.
Besides giving the above reasons for their be-
lief that the restriction act is in violation of
rights guaranteed both by treaty aud tho con-
stitution, the presidents OF the Six Companies
say that the Chinese consider that the law is
unwarranted and unnecessary; that it is al in
suit to the subjects of friendly nations; that it
is in violation of the principles Of justice
equity and fair dealing between friendly powers
and that it is an insult which is not inflicted
upon citizens or subjects of any other nation.
The presidents declare that ii England or any
other European nation should pass such a law
in reference to citizens of the United States the
government and people of the United States
would resent it.
The presidents also asser: that II the law is en-
forced il will subject every Chinese merchant to
blackmail of the worst type; that Chinese
merchant residing in San Francisco who may
desire to travel to New York may be stopped ut
every hamlet and be arrested on a charge of be-
ing laborer who has not registered.
In conclusion the presidents refer to the fact
that Collector Quinn. in his recent letter to
them, said that the officers of the Six Companies
might be liable to the United States government
for melting the Chinese to disobey the laws of
the United states. In response to this the presi-
dents say their attention has not been called to
any law which makes 1t a crime for them to ad-
wise their fellow -countrymen that they have a
right to disregard laws which are in violation of
the constitution and treaty.