The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-25
The CHINESE EXCLUSION LAW.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24-Within a few
DAYS the internal revenue bureau will
commence the work of registering and
photographing all the Chinese residents in
this country Experienced officers Of the
department fear that the provisions of the
latest exclusion law will be found almost
impracticable of execution. Commencing
on the 1st OF September next every Chinese
in the United States, except the retiuue OF
the diplomatic corps and few recognized
merchants, is required to make an applica-
tion for residence certificate to the
nearest internal revenue collector descrio-
ing himself, his age and occupation, and
proving his identity by presenting and
filing three proof sheet photographs OF his
face. His statements of facts are to be
supported By the affidavits of two credit
able witnesses, and upon approval or this
application the collector is authorized to
issue him a certificate emitting him to con-
tnue TO reside in this country. Any
Chinamau who fails to provide himself
with such a certificate of residence between
now and the 5th of May next is liable To
deportation back to China.
There are 107 900 Chinese in the United
States. Over 10000 of these are in Cali
fornia and 1000 in Oregon, and there the
blunt of the enforcement of the exclusion
act will fall. But there are nearly 3, COO in
New York, LOO in Pennsylvania, and
nearly 900 in Massachusetts, besides zoe
in Chicago and nearly 500 in st. Louis,
where no slight difficulties are anticipated.
The internal revenue people quote the an
cient saying about the difference between
leading a horse to water and making him
drink They point out that the obllga-
tions of the law are discretionary with the
Chinese. If they do not choose to get
themselves photographed and to make
their applications within the time specl-
fed the revenue officials have no power to
compel them. The only penalty Is depor.
tation, which falls under the domain OF
the attorney general and the secretary OF
the treasury.
The ,antcipations of difficulty enter
tanned by the internal revenue officials
seem to be borne out by the TACT that oil
the 100000 appropriated in the sundry
civil bill to carry out the law, only ST, OOU
has been allotted by the secretary of the
treasury TO the Aternal revenue bureau TO
provide the necessary deputies to execute
the law, while SO 600 has been retained by
the treasury department and the depart
ment of Justice to meet the cost OF deport-
ing the recalcitrants.
CHICAGO, Aug. 24-Sam Moy, who is
prominent in the Chinese colony in Chi
EdHO, OiAiNA'tAo ~ AZ
forming them that orders had been re-
ceived from China not TO obey the law
requiring Chinese residents to take out
certificates of residence. He said the gov
errmenJ of China had sent one of its OIL
cials to this country to fight the laws IN
the courts. This minister from the Chinese
Court was in Chicago few days ago, be
said, and had informed him and Others OF
the wis les of the Chinese government.
The representative from the celestial EN-
pire had gone to Washington to secure the
best legal talent TO be had, and the law
would be tested in the United States su-
preme court. A test case would he made
of the arrest of some Cinnamon in Detroit,
where they were held on the charge of vIo-
lating the exclusion law passed by the
present congress. In this way the exclu
sion act and the provision compelling
Cinnamon to take out certificates of resi-
dence would be tested together. Until q
decision was rendered he said, no China
man in Chicago would take out certlh
n,ta