The morning call., 1892-03-15

domicile is to be presumed, while by our
treaty with China Chinese merchants
domicled in the United States have
else the right of free egress and ingress
and all other rights and privileges enjoyed
In this country by the citizens and subjects
OF the most favored nation. As to those
reslding or domiciled in this country we
have ourselves the best means of identifca-
tion, while as to many Of them, even In their
native country and much less when they are
temporarily in other countries, there is no
practicable means of either Identification or
for procuring the certificate prescribed by
the United States, nor have they ever re-
quired or provided for the issue of any GER
tncate In this country to resident Chinese
other than labOrers who are abolt to depart
temporarily for business or pleasure either
to China or other foreign countries.
There are many Chinese merchants in
California who have been domiciled in that
State from twenty to tbtrty-five years.
Our own means OF Identification of such
persons are greatly superior to those of any
other country, even that of their nativity.
10 require such persons every time they 20
to another foreign couHtry to perform the
required acts abroad. would be utterly i'm
practicable. and practically tantamont to an
absolute refusal to permit their return.
The question has been ruled upon in the
same way by Treasurer McCulloch. Assist
ant Secretary French. Assistant Secreta ry
~~ei ""AA "uN <AStihS CSSaSsuky odtSuSASAs
Domicile Not Forfeited.
No other rule In this respect was laid
down by Congress in:the act of September
l3, 1888, nor in that of October 1, 1888, when
the absolute exclusion OF the Chinese was
prescribed. We are of the opinion that it
was not intended that commercial dOmi-
cile should DO forfeited by temporary ab-
sence at the domicile of origin, nor that
resident merchants should be subjected to
less than the rights guaranteed by the
treaty, IL they fail to produce from the
domicile of origin that evidence which
residence In the dOmicile of choice may
have rendered 1t difficult. if not impossible,
TO obtain, and. as we said in considering
the application of this petitioner for writ
OF eerti0rari. we do not think that in the de-
cislon oil this court in the case of Wan Shing
VS.. the United States there ruled anything
contrary to the conclusions herein eX-
pressed.
As there pointed out Wan Shing was not
merchant but a laborer; he had engaged,
or acquired no commercial domicile in this
country, and the domicile he acquired. il
any, he bad forfeited by departure or alb
sence for seven years, with no apparent in
tention of returning. All the circumstances
rendered 1t possible for him to produce
specified certificate and required him to do
SO. We have no doubt OF the correctness of
the Judgment then rendered and the reasons
given III Its support.
Amending the naturalization Laws.
representative Oates from the Judiciary
Committee of the House to-day submitted a
report to accompany the bill 10 change the
naturalization laws. 1t reeites the shameful
ana Illegal manner in which aliens are natu-
raiiZed IN many parts of the country, and
declares that Congress should make laws to
amply protect the States against the citizen
snip OF criminals. paupers. anarchists and
aliens. The name of an American citizen,
says the report, should be esteemed as that
OF Roman, when Rome was mistress of
the world Such pride can never be felt by
our foreign-born citizens until the process
OF comforting this great boon upon them is
attended with great solemnity and scruti-
nlzed more closely than at present.
Bills Reported FavorabIy.
The House Committee on Reform in the
Civil Service has agreed TO report favoraby
the bill to exclude political influence 10 the
employment of lab0rers under the authority
of the United States.
The project for a deep water channel
through the connecting waters of the great
lakes has practically received the approval
OF a-majorlty of the House Committee on
Rivers and Harbors.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary has
resolved to report favorably all the judicial
nominations, including Judge Woods of
Indiana.