The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-21

that an American newspaper should oe the
first to publish their official proclaim atfons
evi nces a spirit Of enterprise IN the pub
fishers that is commendable, TO say the
very least"
II was General MeComb. chief of the
Bureau of Chinese Registration in this city.
who spoke.
Tie conversation had naturally turned
upon the theme that was so generally dis
cussed yesterday by the Federal officials.
That is to say, upon IHE CALLS exclusive
publication of the latest proclamation and
appeal to tue Emperor of China issued by
the Six Companies.
ut was really a surprising piece of work,
con inued the general.
"0f course you understand that as an
officer of the Government l can take no
official cognizance Of the publications in
The CALL.
LAS private citizen and reader Of THE
CALL l am, though. permitted to state my
opinion that its work in this Chinese regis
tration question has been of the greatest
value"
Then handed to the general, with the
compliments of The CALL, the original
document issued by the Six Companies, and
published exclusively in the original aud IN
English in Yesterday mornings GALL.
General McComb suggested that it should
be presented to Captain Ioungberg, the
acting Revenue Collector.
This was done. Captain Y0ungberg ex-
pressed the keenest interest in the docu-
ment, and assured me that THE CALL de-
served the thanks of the department tor Sc
curing this valuable paper.
"Mr. Quinn himself, will, am sure, eX-
press his gratitude to The CALL for this
kindness" said the captain.
Then the original proclamation was placed
with other papers explaining its issuance,
and will be forwarded to the Washington
authorities at once.
Later In the day Collector Quinn stole a
moment from the mulnfarious duties of his
| Office to assure me that the department
keenly appreciated The CALLS enterprise
in securing these Chinese documents, and
was under obligations to The CALL for the
| receipt of this latest proclamation.
General McComb is himself as great a
| diplomat as he Justly credits the Chinese
| with being.
! When l returned to his desk saw an in
| terestng-looking document containing vol
| luminous clippings from the columns of
| The CALL.
! That is to 60 to Washington, suppose.
| with your reports" l asked.
| The general only smiled
| You understand" he finally said that
it would scarcely be proper for me to
| dlyulge the contents Of papers TO be for
warded to the authorities at Washington.
| when report is made 70 superior off,
Ger he must be the first to know its con-
! tents"
| As to the law Itself ana its methods of en-
| forcement General McComb was more
| communicative.
| I'VE are under one of the most exacting
| departments IN the public service" he said,
''and have not the slightest latitude in the
! enforcement Of this registration act.
| $50 far as possible we have made its oper-
| alton as little severe as possible. The law
| says there must be three photographs of
each applicant for registration. and we
have no option but to Insist upon this pro-
/ vision.
''The law says there must be two wit
| nesses attesting the identity and standing
| Of the applicant. In this, too, we have no
/ option.