The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-24
IN THE SENATE.
Hisooek. Frye and Morgan Oppose the
Chinese Exclusion Bill.

Chinese Exclusion Bill.
WASHINGTON CRY, April 23.-In the
Senate. after routine business this morn
ing, Teller offered resolution requesting
the president to inform the Senate as to
what steps, if any, had been taken toward
securing an international conference to
consider the question of the free coinage
of silver at the minis of the nations par
ticipating in such conference, or as to the
enlarged use of silver in the currency of
the countries; also to transmit copies of
all correspondence between the United
States and the govern ments expected to
participate in the proceedings of such in
ternational conference. Sherman sug-
gested to insert the words, IF not incom-
patible with public interests" Teller
agreed to the suggestion. although he did
not, he said, see how such a publication
could hurt public interests. The resolu-
ton. as modified, was agreed to.
Call offered a resolution, which went
over without action, for the appointment
of q committee of nine senators to inquire
into the present value per mile of the rail-
ways of the United States, their present
capitalization, and the difference between
such capitalization and the actual cost of
construction and equipment; their gross
and net receipts; the number and COM
pensation of their employees; their amount
of indebtedness and capital stock, and the
amount of bonds and stock held by the
stockholders and bondholders distinguish
ing between home and foreign holders.
The Chinese exclusion bill was then
taken up, and Teller addressed the Senate.
He said:
There could not be any dispute touching the
rejection OF the United States minister to
China 1t was an elementary principle that
international minister must serve as such with
the consent OF both nations. Both nations had
To consent before he could be minister. In
other words. he must be received, as well as
sent He, therefore, had no fault to md with
the Chinese government because IL had re-
3ected Blair. II had right to reject him, even
on absolutely false premises and without any
premises whatever. Coming TO the question Of
the abrogation Of the treaties, he said that
every nation which agreed with another nation
did so with the understanding that II might re-
tire from il At any time II should see ft, and
might do so notwithstanding the fact that there
was provision in the treaty that 1t should con-
Time for limited period OF time. Lcgfs lation
BY the national legislature could set aside any
treaty inconsistent with II.
Morrill,, while inclined to believe that
congress bad the power to pass a law
superseding a treaty, asked Teller whether
he thought that other nations had the
same power. Teller thought he stated
explicitedly that all nations had that
power, and said he would have very poor
opinion of a nation which would sur
render that right
Morrill, remarked that Japan had for
years endeayored TO get release from a
treaty with Great Britain and had not
succeeded.
Teller said:
reason for that might be that Japan was not
willing 20 create friction with Great Britain
The United States bad been trying for a great
mary yesrs % set rid OF a treaty with Great
Britain. and had got rid OF IL by action OF treat
Britain In the violation Of IT, He referred To the
ayton-Balwer treaty. aud said tina, never had
there been such q condition OF affairs Neither
nation wanted 10 propose It's absolute repeal
or violation, yet neither Great Britain
nor the United states respected SIS terms But
IL was very evident thSt the people a, the
nitsd States would insist on the ahrogat!on of
that treaty whenever II should appear inimica-
bic 10 the interests Of the great mass OF the neo
pie Of this eouniFy. RevcFtiag to the peouliar!.
ties Of Chinese immigration, he remarked that
the Americans would never assimiia;e with
Chinsmen. because II the Americans would the
Cinnamon would not Their civilization was 10
Them annniteiy superior 70 the civilization of
Europe aud America. Cinnamon would, al
though In contact with the civilization OF Er
rope and America. always remain Cinnamon
aud therefore q reason existed for Keen
ing them out OF the county which ala
rot exist for keeping other people out
Cinnamon came to the United ststes
simply TO take money out OF the country ana
return TO their homes. They took no part IN
the building up of the society in which they
lived. The lowest immigrant that came from
Europe, whether convict, psuper or otherwise
contributed something to civil society His
children went 20 the public schools, and the
great mass OF them contributed materially to
the pros pcri;y OF the COUNTRY, but the China
man contributed simply his cheap labor aud in
that he came tn competition with the American
isoerer. and deprived him OF his export unities
He Crelerl was Ia favor OF the restricted imml-
gfStion OF silt classes OF people, although he
confessed tast were 20 left TO him 20 determine
how II should be done. be would be unable TO
arrive al any plan that would be acceptable to
himself. still. In relation TO thu Chinese, con
greSs could not AFFORD to pass harsh and Tn
reasonable laws.
Teller said the Cinnamon legally in the
country we're entitled 10 domieile, but the
United States had perfect right TO say no
more should come. lie denied the exist
enee of the great trade with China which
had been spoken Of and said American *
ports 10 China last year were not half
what they we're five years ago.
HlscOck did not favor violation OF treaty