Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-24
Chinese Exclusion Discussed by
the Senate.
Teller Makes Stirring Speech on
the Subject.
Information About the Negotiations for
an International Silver Confer
ence Called For-The Houses
Short Session.


slider the question of the free coinage of
silver at the mints of the countries par
ticipating in such conference, or so as to
enlarge the use of silver in the currency
OF such countries; also to transmit
copies of all correspondence between
the United States and the governments
expected to participate in the proceed
ings of such international conference.
Sherman suggested the insertion of
the words, ''if not incom patible with the
public interests
Teller agreed to the suggestion, al
though he did not. he said, see how
such publication could hurt the public
interests.
The resolution, as modified, was
agreed to.
Call offered resolution (Which went
over without action) for the appoint-
ment of committee OF senators to in
quire into the present value per mile of
the railways in the United States; their
present capitalization and the difference
between such capitalization and the
actual cost of construction and equip
ment; their gross and net receipts; the
number and compensation of their en-
ployees; the amount of the indebted
ness and capital stock, and the amount
OF bonds aud stock held by stock tho lders
and bondholders, distinguishing be-
tween home and foreign holders.
Hoar asked and obtained leave of alb.
sence from and after Monday next for
the remainder of the session. 1t is un-
derstood that Hoar's purpose is to make
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tinguished specialists on eve diseases.
The Chinese exclusion bill was then
taken up. Teller addressed the senate.
There could not be, he said, any dispute
touching the rejection of the United
States minister to China. It was the
elementary principle of international
law that 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 we'll as sent. He, therefore,
had no fault to find with the Chinese
government because it rejected Blair.
1t had a right to reject him, even on alb
solutely false premises, and without any
premises whatever.
Coming to the question OF the abroga-
tion OF treaties, he held that every ma
tion which agreed with another nation
did SO with the understanding that it
might retire from it at anv time it saw
tit, and 1t might do so notwithstanding
the TACT that there was provision in
the treaty that it should continue for a
limited period OF time. Legislation by
national legislature would set aside
any treaty inconsistent with it.
Morrill,, while inclined to believe con-
gress had the power to pass law super
seding treaty, asked Teller whether he
thought other nations had the same
power.
Teller thought he stated explicitly that
all nations had that power, and said he
would have very poor opinion of the
nation which would surrender that right.
Morrill, remarked that Japan had for
years endeavored to get released from
treaty with Great Britain, and had not
succeeded.
Teller said a reason for that might be
that Japan was not willing to create
friction with Great Britain. The
United States had been trying great
many years to get rid of Great Britain
herself, and had become rid of it by the
action OF Great Britain in the violation
of it. He referred to the Clayton-Bul.
wer treaty, and said there never had
been such a condition OF affairs.
Neither nation wanted to propose its
absolute repeal or violation, yet neither
Great Britain nor the United States re-
spected it's terms, but it was very evil
dent the people of the United States
would insist on the abrogation OF that
treaty whenever it should appear in.
imical to the interests of the great mass
of the people OF the country.
Reverting to the peculiarities of Chi |
nese immigration, Teller remarked that |
Americans would never assimilate with |
Chinese, because if the American would.
the Chinaman would not. In the whole !
catalogue of nations, with itself as Chi
nese, their civilization was to them in
fnitely superior to the civilization OF
Europe and America.
A Chinaman coming in contact with |
the civilization of Europe and America. |
would remain a Chinaman, and there. |
fore reason existed for keeping them |
out of country which does not believe !
in keeping other nationalities out. The |
Chinese took no part in building up the |
society in which they lived, but looked |
on the United States as country in
which to make fortune and return to
China. The lowest immigrant that
comes from Europe, whether convict.
pauper, or otherwise, contributed some
thing to society. His children went to
the public schools and grew up Ameri-
cans. The mass of them contributed to
the prosperity of the country, but the
Chinaman contributed simply his cheap
labor, and in that he came in competi- |
tion with the American laborer and de.
prived him OF his opportunities.
He (Ieller) was in favor of restricted
immigration of all classes of people
although he confessed if it were lett TO
him to determine how itehould be done.
he would be unable to arrive at any
plan that would be acceptable to him.
self. Still in relation to the Chinese
congress could not afford to pass harsh
and unreasonable laws.
Teller said Cinnamon legally in the
country were entitled to domicile, but
the United States had perfect right to
say no more should come in. He denied
the existence of the great trade with
China which was spoken of, and said
the American exports to China last wear
were not one-half what they were five
years ago.
Hiscock did not favor the violation of
treaty obligations until diplomacy had
exhausted itself in efforts to amend the
treaty.
Morgan favored the senate substitute.
Frye said the Pacific coast senators on
the river and harbor bill were asking
large appropriation, holding that to
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