The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-30
WITH VAIN TRICKS
CIeveland's Men Dodge
the Law.
HOLDING A BIG PoWWOW.
1t Is Not So Much a Question of En-
forcement as of Non-Enforce-
ment Apparently.
special to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, May 29.-President Cleve-
land, Secretary Carlisle. Attorney-Ge
eral OlGey and Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury Hamlin had a conference to-day
on the Chinese question at which were
discussed various points of the registration
act.
Young Mr.. Hamlin of Boston again
pronounced Judge Billings opinion ''ab-
surd," and contended that the Chinese
should have jury trials.
1t is understood that Cleveland, Carlisle
and Olney were inclined 10 agree with the
young man, and it IS not known definitely
what. if anything. was decided upon at
the con inference, but it is understood that
United States District Attorneys will be
Instructed by Oney 70 only make arrests of
Chinese where there is very well-grounded
belief that they entered in violation of the
aw. The wickedest of them will be
ugied out for prosecution. while the bulk
;he Chinese, whether they hold certif-
catss or not, will not be molested. In San
Francisco Chief Crowley is expected to
give some advice and assistance to the
court officials in wedding out very objec-
tjOnable characters.
Every possible phase and every con-
tingency that might arise in carrying out
to be the belief that when Chinese were
brought before a United States Judge,
Justice or Commissioner for examination
their attorneys would demur to such a
procee ding being carried on without pre-
sentiment or indictment before the Grand
Jury. This question would, of course, be
for the courts 20 settle.
The gentlemen were probably right to-
day in predicting that California Judges
would likely not follow the example of
Judge Lacombe of New York in turning
Chinese loose, because there was, as al
legged, not enough money available 20
carry ont the law, ana it is now under
stood that Chinese in California will be
sent to prison to be kept until Congress
shall provide ways and means for their
deportation, or in default OF this for one
years time.
The question was touched upon also
whether if Congress did not appropriate
money or modify or repeal the law. when
the Chinese persons one years sentence
was up the California people could not
take matters in their own hands, and fur
peh the money necessary for deportation.
Ii was agreed all around the board that
sue registration act was explicit enough 10
declaring thst the United States Justice,
Judge or Commissioner Should" order
him &c be dAported, but it was not clear
who was TO dc the deporting. the Treasury
Department or the Department of JUS
tice
Carlisle said that although it had beer
the custom for the Treasury Department
to perform this work, the act of Congress:
did not provide definitely for this to be 81
done. but merely appropriated money fol
the enforcement of the Chinese exclusion
acts.
1t is said that both Olney and Carlisle
were of the opinion that neither the De
partment of Justice nor the Treasury De
partment could use money raised by sub
scription or in any other manner by Pa
ci6c Coast people to carry out the law.
1t was also agreed that none of the re
serve fund could be used out of the trea
sury with the expectation that Congress:
would be bound to make up the deficiency
Olney did not mucn like the idea of is
suing warrants for the arrest of Chinese
at all, as they might be treated "to an in,
famous punishment" by Imprisonment a
hard labor. without indictment. but thu
Jaw. backed up by the opinion of the Su
pfeme Court that it was political anc
not criminal statute, was before him ir
black and white.
1t seems probable that few arrests o.
Chinese may be made by United State,
Marshals ahd perhaps by Treasury De
partment officers, but only enough to try
and deceive the people into the belief tha
the law is being honestly enforced
1t is said that the Chinese Government
has ordered a census to be taken of tht
number OF Americans in China.
70 fi,a A.,
Office of the Commissioner of Interna
Revenue 1887 Chinese in the United
States have registered; of which number
1850 were in California. The officials esti
mate that the total registration will Ieacf
about 1900.
Chinese Attorney j. Hubey Ashton
made a great bluff in to-day's Post when h,
declared that he knew the Chinese Gov
ernment would certainly retaliate i
Cinnamon were deported. Gresham
statement soon denied this, however.
Ashton says the new Chinese Minister
will arrive here in about month TIL,
impression is sought to be conyeyed her
by Chinese attorneys that the Monpolian
are now anxious 10 register, but it i
shrewdly suspected thatit is only a sche mi
to make people believe that if the laws arr
held IN further allegiance the Cbines
will all register if Congress extends m
time. Evidently their plan is to trv I,
stop the execution of the law until Con
gress meets and then work for its repeal
Everything possible, it seems, is ben
done to create sympathy for the Chinese
Stories are being told about how they ar
cruelty prosecuted on the Pacific Coast
and the Rock Springs and Seattle rio
stories are again going round, which ere
ates the uspicon that they have been SUD
denly revived at this time for purpose.
a white man was arrested yesterday fo
an alleged assault upon a Monaghan pei
son in the Chinese quarter of Washington
and it is dollars TO cents that if such a
assault was committed it was actuated an
paid for by the Chinese attorneys now
this city. There is no proof of this, bu
the trickery of the Chinese is well known
The pro-Chnese News of this city says
"William Murphy. young white ma
of South Washington. started cut to ell
force the Geary act yesterday. Arme
with only an umbrella he began on Foul
aud-One- half street and whacked ever
Chinaman he met until an officer of tn
law appeared upon the scene and took hi1