Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-18

His Views to the Effects Of the Law
and What Should Be Done.
Rev. Gilbert Reid Of the American Presby-
terrain mission at Chi-Nau-Fu, North China.
who arrived in this city this morning to attend
the sessions Of the Presbyterian assembly. is
outspoken in his denunciation Of the Chinese
exclusion act To "a STAR reporter he expressed
himself as follows:
Ihe Geary bill at the outset was regarded Of
DO little importance that the House decided that
according to rule fifteen minutes are allowed
for debate, but now as the outcome of that
hurried action the Executive, with the Secre-
tary OF State, Secretary of Treasury and Attor-
ney General, is beset with a mass of interna-
tionai complications, and the highest court of
the Judicial department Of the nation is made
the mouthpiece of some of the most vital and
serious principles Of international relationship
which modern times have been called upon to
face and settle.
ANOTHER TEST CASE POSSIBLE.
ut certainly appears great calamity that
the decision rendered by the majority of the
bench should express the opinion as contained
Al euo puoiisueu stdt6ment oil Cnlef Justice
Gray. Still the decision a calm and Judi
cial one, and that ends the matter. And yet it
may not end the matter even for that court.
If some Chinaman who has lived in this coun-
try for. say, twenty years, holds property and is
to all intents de facto an American citizen rest
ing his rights on the promises made in the
treaties and the protection vouchsafed by the
Constitution itself, should now be ordered to
be imprisoned and then deported, he would
have the right to ask, 'Why am / TO be thus
punished and deprived of my liberty and prop
erty, when the l4th amendment guarantees life,
liberty and property and the equal protection
OF the laws, and does not even hint that such
equal protection and security be granted only
on basis OF some paper certificate? Such
Chlnaman may possibly be allowed TO appeal to
the highest court Of the nation on other
grounds than those in the present ties. case and
secure a different decision by a full bench for a
different case. So much for the judicial de-
partment
THE TREATY OF 1888.
GAS to the executive department, there are
certain mighty complications, and there is no
one but will sympathize with President Cleve-
land and his cabinet In reaching legitimate
conclusion as to the proper enforcement of the
law. Whether the law Is right or wrong the
present President has no responsibility in de-
Gliding. His duty is merely to enforce the law
and the consequences will rest with others for
bringing about such muddle of affairs SO ca
lami;ous to American interests abroad and SO
shameful to the past fair and honorable record
Of the nation. II is. of course a little anus
ing to think that President Cleveland is really
falling into his own net, which he spread out
for some one to stumble into when, in 1883, he
refused China their reasonable request for
further discussion Of certain minor points in
the treaty Of 1883 signed by Secretary Bayard
and the Chinese minister, but not ratified in
Picking. and instead of granting this request
signed the Scott bill. which at once became o
law. If he and the Congress had only been a
little more patient and consistent it is
quite probable that the treaty could
have been altered and ratified. and so
saved the nation from our present misfortune.
That was the time to act wisely. Now wisdom
is just much necessity, but the difficulties
are a hundredfold greater. Missionary socie-
ties send their request to the President TO de-
lay an immediate enforcement of the law, but
the only point is whether he has the power SO
to do. OF course. the executive il the treaty.
making power, and the Chinese minister must
consult with either the Secretary Of State or
the President, and not with the judicial and
legislative departments. In that respect the
executive is the party responsible for main
tanning the duties Of international intercourse
and comfy. With such a diversity Of duties
the President may hold in allowance the en-
forcement Of the law, especially since the legis-
ton Of the condemned Chinese laborers. but
even then, according to the bill pronounced
valid, the Chinese adjudged to be unlawfully
within the United States can be first imprisoned
until deportation is possible. Any way. the ex-
ecutive has no easy pillow 10 rest its weary
head.
TIE LEGISLATURE SHOULD REPENT.
GAS for the legislature, the best thing for it
to do would be to repent in sackcloth and ashes.
However, it should be remembered that over
half Of both houses Of Congress failed to vote
on the Geary bill at ell, and Senator Stanford
though voting for it. has since openly declared
his personal repugnance to the whole drastic
business OF Chinese exclusion. II Congress
could convene very soon and empower the
President to appoint a commission to confer
with a proper commission Of the Chinese gov
eminent to complete the treaty begun in 1888
or make a new treaty then it could be settled in
a safe, diplomatic and honorable way The
Chinese government by treaty has already
granted the right 70 regulate and restrict for a
period Of years. but additional features are
needed to be Incorporated in order to secure
proper observance.
81 do not think there will be anv serious out
breaks in China-at least with the cognizance
OF the authorities. But precaution is needed,
and am glad to see the caution displayed by
both the Chinese and American authorities at
this critical period for the prevention Of any
disturbance or riot. or course, some kind OF
retaliation will be effected unless we repent
and adopt our old principle Of international
conference and good will.