The herald., 1893-09-05
s THERE A FUND FOR DBPORTING
CHINAMRN?

| 10 mn FUND rOh
CHINAMRN?
One of the interesting developments
in the non-enforcement OF the Geary
act is the disappearance of a large sum OF
money that was appropriated to carry
! it out. Various sums were originally
set aside for the purpose OF carrying out
the several features of that act. Thus
far we have been reliably informed that
one Chinsman has been deported.
United States District Attorney Denis
was yesterday advised from the attor
ney generals Office that there were no
funds to pay for deporting tho China
men. Judge Ross ordered the com
munication to be spread on the minutes
of his court, but took no further action.
There has been no subject of such a
complex nature as this enforcement of
the Geary act. According to great
many people, come of whom have GER
tainly had good opportunities for obser-
walton, there still remains $50 .000 of
this fund unappropriated. Others put
the figure at $4,000. Still others put
it at $4,000. If the matter were made
the subject OF public competition we
have no doubt whatsoever that bids by
competent persons would be received t.
dcport the Chinese at the rate OF s25
head or less. Admitting that there
are still $4,000 in the treasury OF the
United States, available for carrying out
the several provisions OF the Geary act,
what has become OF the other large
sums2 To what uses have they been
applied? Where arc they at?
1t is hardly possible that such large
sums could have slipped down come rat
hole. They must have been assisted by
somebody in emptying themselves from
the treasury vaults.
The fact is, and everybody knows it,
the executive department of the govern
ment of the United States has been hos
tile to the enforcement OF this lava
law not only passed by congress and
signed by the president, but declared
constitutional by the supreme court of
the United States. Mr.. Carlisle under
took to peremptorily suspend the carry
ing out of features of the law, notably
that rule of the treasury department re-
ouiring the Cinnamon, on applying for
registration, to sit for his photograph.
This last he had the right to do, but was 1t
wise? On the 9th of May thousands of
Cinnamon should have been in custody
for the violation Of the Geary law, and
they would have been if the executive
authorities at Washington had been re-
sponsive to their duties. There is no
use OF shilly-shallying about the matter.
This is the simple truth.
What do we see as result OF this
neglect to enforce the law? Just what
the HERALD prophesied would be the
case. II officials at Washington, sworn
to execute the laws of the land, put
themselves above the law. what is to
hinder the people of the United States
from taking the law into their own
hands? OF course violence or excesses
OF any kind would be de porable, and are
to be deprecated on all grounds, but the
spirit of unrest and excitement that
ramifies all over the United States on
the Chinese question is undoubtedly
referable to the Disregard of law shown
at the fountain head.
Neither the president, the secretary of
the treasury nor any other official. is
above the law. Their duty is to execute
it without fear or favor. They are the
servants and not the masters OF the
people. There has been too much man
worship of late, and it has resulted in a
decided relaxation in enforcing the laws
of the land. We should return on our
tracks. AS Grant truly said, if a law is
bad one the best way to make that
fact apparent is to enforce it.
The language of the Geary act is as
clear as crystal. It explicitly says that
the money appropriated for carrying
out the law shall be applicable to all
the provisions OF the Gssry act. For
the present fiscal year $4,000 has been
appropriated in furtherance of the
Geary act. The amount remaining
over from previous appropriations,
whether it be $4,000 or $4,000, should
be promptly applied for purposes of de.
portation in cases where Cinnamon
shall be proven to have violated the
law. Senator White has already been
heard of on the matter, and it is heartily
to be hoped that he will apply his pow
erful energies to getting tine cumbrous
| federal machine in motion.