The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-14
EXCLUSION OF CHINESE.
The History of the Movement to
Amend the Geary Law.

Washington, Oct. 13.-The amendment
to the Geary law, which is now occupying
the attention of the House, comes from
the committee on foreign affairs, but was
originally suggested by the administra-
ton
A law was passed, known as the Geary
law, because its author was Hon Thomas
j. Geary of California, which provided
that in twelve months time all the
Chinese in this country who had not reg
istered should be "deported, - or sent out
of the country, by the United States
government. The purpose was to get rid
of all the worthless Chinese in the coun-
try and prevent the entrance of any
more.
But the Geary law has not been obeyed.
Few of the Chinese have registered
Most of them are under what is known as
The Six Companies" and these Six
Companies have instructed the Chinese
not to register. They were advised to
this course by their lawyers, who made
a test case before the supreme court of
the United States, on the ground that the
law was unconstitutional The supreme
T court decided that it was constitutional,
but it has not yet been enforced for
several reasons, one of which was the
fear that the enforcement might bring
about friction which would result in hos
tility of the Chinese government towards
ours.
Instead of carrying out the present law,
the administration now desires its amend
ment The amendment now before the
House is in effect to extend the time for
carrying out the provisions of the law,
six months This is done at the request
of the Chinese government, as expressed
through its minister here. That govern
ment thinks that within six months all
the Chinese in this country who desire to
register can do so; and all who do not
desire to do so may leave the country.
WOULD PREVENT FRICTION.
If our country complies with this de-
sire on the part of the Chinese govern
ment-and it is not at all an unreasonable
one-there win be no disturbance to the
amicable relations now existing between
the two countries.
Another reason why the law should be
amended and the time extended, is that
the deportation of all the unregistered
Chinese now in this country, would
cost our government about $1,000, 600.
The steamb boat lines over which the Chi
nese would have to "go," have doubled
their rates Of passage, in anticipation of
the wholesale deportation which they ex-
pected would take place If the amend
ment becomes a law, and most of the Chi
neSe register, as IS expected, IlllS neat
little job on the part of the steamboat
companies will be busted" as it ought
to be.
After this amendment to the Geary
law is disposed of, the next important
thing the House will take up will be the
bankruptcy bill. provided congress does not
take a recess. This bill is in charge OF
Col. Oates, of Alabama, who is very ear.
nes- N hisrendeavors to have the bill be-
come a law.
Senator Dubois stated last night in
the Senate, in the beginning of the con
tinuous session, that there were thirty.
nine senator's for unconditional repeal
thirty-eight against it and eight in favor
of a compromise. That is substantially
the statement made by your correspond
ent about ten days ago, the only changes
being that two who were then classed as
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