The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-20
SEATTLE. WEDNESDAY. APRIL go
THE GEARY BILL.

states senate Will reIuSe 10 pass inc ptdfy
Chinese exclusion bill without some modi-
fcation, for the sound reason that the con-
servatiye senators of both parties believe
that If not absolutely unconstitutional it
is instinct with the spirit of national bad
faith. The Pacific coast is entitled to pro-
lature, but she can with no more justice
ask congress to violate Its faith with
China because the Chinaman is offensive
than Alabama and Mississippi can ask
congress to commit a breach of national
faith because these states deem the negro
snuisance. There is no reason to believe
that the responsible people of this Coast
wish congress to pass an act that stands
for high-handed violation of treaties.
The responsible people of this Coast do
not believe in unlimited Chinese immigra-
ton, which would tend to degrade or
lower our civilization, but they do not
seek the enactment of any law that stands
for brutal breach of national faith. Out
side the Pacific coast states the evils of
Chinese immigration have no existence.
In the state of Colorado there are but 946
Chinese, of whom but twenty-three are
women. About $50 of these live in Denver.
and an interesting fact is that six years
ago there were twice as many Chinese there
as can be counted now.
There were, according to the census of
1890. but 10000 Chinese in the whole
United States. Outside the Pacific coast
states the people do not feel Chinese immi-
grafton as a thorn in the flesh OF the body
polite; nevertheless, congress, in answer to
the appeal of the Pacific states, consented
passed the existing law, which restricted
the rights which that treaty granted to
citizens of China in this country. Con-
gress did this despite its natural reluct-
ance to single out friendly power like
China for this discrimination. Now
public opinion hesitates to acquiesce in
such sweeping act of exclusion as the
Geary bill, which proposes to exclude I'M
Objectionable classes of Cinnamon pro-
tected by the present law, on the ground
that Objectionable ones may slip in like
wolves in sleeps clothing.
The truth is that the real trouble Is not
with the present law, which if defective
can be perfected, but with its administra-
ton. We have hitherto kept our national
faith inviolate, and the Senate is naturally
reluctant to enact an extreme and sweep
ing application of the exclusion policy,
which the ablest and most conservative
men of both parties point out is clear
breach Of national faith. The Senate will
hardly pass such q bill without amend
ment, but if it does President Harrison,
who is both an able lawyer and an honest
man. will be sure to veto it.
The protest against the Geary bill comes
from the ablest papers of the East, without
distinction of party, that have hitherto al
ways sustained the Chinese exclusion pol
icy. The New York Sun (Dem.) points
out that re-enactment of tho existing
law, which expires May 6. and its more
careful enforcement, is all that is needed
in the way of legislation against the Chi
nese. The New York Erening Post and the
Springfield Republican. both able friends
OF reasonable Chinese exclusion. agree
with the Sun in opposing the Geary bill as
ii
would endanger the trade, the interests
and even the safety of American residents
in the Chinese empire. No American,
who is not a stupid, illiterate, ignorant
ruifan, complains of the admission of
Chinese scholars or merchants or travellers,
classes who do not come into competition
with American labor. As a matter of fact
there are Poles, Hungarians. Russians, Ne
apolitans, Sicilians and Calabrians landed
by the thousands at the ports of the East
who are rs Objectionable immigrants as
the Chinese have ever been; they contain
far larger percentage of criminals and
pauperS and of cheap labor that without
restriction completes with American labor
To extend our present restriction or prohi-
ton of Chinese labor to classes that do not
stand for competitive labor at the cost of a
gross breach OF national faith is without
justification in common sense, reason or
morals
1.-THE Geary bill becomes a law no Chinese
person not an official ofthe Chinese govern
ment can get into this country; no Chinese
person now n resident OF the United States
can come back after leaving it. With the
passage of such law diplomatic relations
between the United States and China would
cease, because such legislation would be
the shameless violation of n solemn treaty.
!, is very certain that if We exclude all
Cinnamon China will exclude su Ameri-
cans. including missionaries and traders.
and John Bull will drink the health Of the
departing American guests and sarcastic
cally wish them prosperous voyage. Our
anti-Chincse legislation has already forced
into bankruptcy the great American house
of Russell that for eighty years held the
foremost place in the Chinese trade.
The mobs on this Coast have murdered
and robbed Chinese residents because they
knew that China either could not or
would not send Aeet TO lombard our
cities, as we should have done had the case
been reversed and Chinese mobs in every
Chinese port murdered aud robbed every
American resident. Senator John Sher-
man, chairman Of the committee on for
eJgn relations, is opposed 10 those provi-
sions OF the Geary bill that are in violation
of our treaty obligations. though he favors
Chinese exclusion.
The question Of Chinese immigration on
this Coast today is little more than a polit.
iCal spOOk among men Of intelligence who
are not looking for a chance 10 grind the
dull ak of demagogy. The conspicuous
anU-Chiuese voters and sgitstors are
chiefly iawsmiths, gamblers and Other