Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-11
THE GEARY EXCLUSION ACT.
Joseph Choate Begins the Argument be-
fore the Supreme Court.

Joseph Choate Begins the Argument be-
fore the Supreme Court.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 10.-The
special session OF the Supreme Court to-
day to hear arguments on the Constitu-
tionality of the Geary Chinese Exclu-
sion Act on appeal from the judgment
of the United States Circuit Court for
the Southern District of New York
attracted a large attendance. The
argument was opened by Mr.. Jo-
seph Ii. Choate, OF New York, for the
petitioners for a writ of nabeas corpus
-Fong Yue Ling, Wong Guam and Lee
Joe.
MIR. Choate said he believed it was not
permissible for counsel to seek to i'm
press upon this court the impor-
lance and magnitude OF the
questions involved In cases
submitted for its adjudication. Never
theless, he said, he would so far trans
eress the rule as to state broadly two
questions ct issue. They were: First,
shall 100000 OF unoffending and help
less residents of this country under the
authority OF Congress, without review
by it's courts, be transported to the sea
shore and thence deported TO their ma
tive country? And, second, in case the
Emperor of China shall feel inclined TO
follow the example of this great and en-
liQhtened country and eXpeI from his
domains the Americans residing there
In. shall the voice of this people, either
through its Government, its press or by
individuals, be prevented from uttering
a single protest?
Mr.. Choate preiaced his argument
with the statement OF facts In the three
cases, which he said differed chiefly In
being initiated at various stages OF the
operation of the law.
Solicitor General Aldrich followed.
He contended that these cases could not
be distinguished from the Chinese ex-
clusion cases. He contended that the
Geary act had not for its purpose the
deportation of Chinese laborers, but to
provide a system OF registration and
Identification, which is a lawful pur-
nose and has never been disputed. The
methods were lawful and the act rea-
sonable and humane. Mr.. Aldrich
maintained the right Of Congress to re-
ouire registration and Identification Of
citizens or aliens. This legislation is
authorized under the terms of the treaty
of 1880. Mr.. Aldrch quoted numerous
authorities in support Of mis- point that
under international law a nation has the
right to prescribe the terms of admis-
sion or refuse TO admit aliens TO its ter
ritory, or dismiss them thereirom.
In conclusion the Solicitor General
said: Assuming the maxim that
safety of the people is the supreme law,
then the police power in its relations
to every subject OF danger must, under
our system, rest either in the States, or
the United States or the people. II 1t
is assumed that Chinese alien labor Is
public danger threatening the safety OF
the people, then the power TO cope with
IL rests somewhere. II not 10 the United
States, then it Is in the States, or
the people. II the latter, it
| occurs to me that the Chinese residents
in this country have need to repeat the
old prayer that they may be saved from
their friends Tor counseD; for II they
can induce the court TO hold that the
power does not belong TO the federal
government. but yet rests in the people
I OF the SeNeTd! States 10 ptISOh WIZ has
witnessed the evils of Chinese immigra-
ton and competition with our laborers
can doubt that the people OF the States
| afflicted Herewith will promptly
, rid themselves of the baneful presence
| by appropriate legislation to that end.
The last state Of the Chinese in the
| country would then be worse than the
| FIRST. for while the act under considera-
ton seeks only to prevent the perpetra-
ton of frauds upon the government
through the incoming Of other Chinese
| laborers claiming 10 be entitled to ad-
mission because OF former residence.
any action by the people OF the States
most directly affected would probably
be drastic in its chi racter with the pur-
pose not Of protecting the government
and it's duly accredited Chinese, but of
expelling entirely from their domain an
ohnoxiour race"
In 1850 "Bro,rn's BfonehidI 7focbss.' were
introduced, and their snccess as cure for
Colds, Coughs, Asthmas and Bronchitis has
! heen UNPARALLELED.