River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-10-19
The CHINESE BILL.
synopsis of the Debate in the National
House of Representatives.

On the lfih MIR McCreary tdem., XVI author
OF the proposed amendment 10 the Geary Chi
nese exclusion bill. explained thai the pending
measure provided that the act Of May ). 1872,
be so amended as TO extend the time six months
in which Chinese persons may register and oh
tain certificates Of residence. and also
amended said act 70 re
euire ''one credible witness other than
Chinese" that an applicant for certia-
cate was a resident OF the United States on the
hth OF MAY. 1872, instead OF zone credible white
witness. The bill also amended the act bY
providing that the word .laborer or 'iahorerS''
shall be construed t3mean both skilled AMI un-
skilled manual iabcrers. including Chinese EN-
pioyed in mining, fishing huckstering ped
ding, laundrymen or those engaged in tax
ing, drying or otherwise preserving
shell other Gsh for home cons uslption or
expectation 1t seemed just and fair that the
Chinese should have additional time Ia which
to register and obtain certificates OF residence
II all the Chinese persons who we're not now
registered should be transported TO China the
cost to the government would be about e,
0C0OOa
Mr. Geary dem. ColA. in opposing the tit.
said If he believed that through The operation
OF this biz II enacted into law the chinese
would comply With the law he would vote for
the measure. But he did not so believe. lie
wanted 10 act In accordance with civilization.
Christianity and morality He wanted 10 cx-
cludc Chinese from coming here, but RI 3ddi-
tional burdens should be imposed upon those
already here He denied that the
bill which bore his name was any
violation OF treaty stipularOns With
in the last thirty years S5o9.0000oO had been
taken from the Pacific coast 10 foreign
lands Gentlemen from the east expressed
their wonder that the people OF California did
not like the Chinese How would they
like a foreign colony located in their region
He then went on 70 denOuuce the compe-
tion OF the cheap Chinese labor with
free American labor. He ridiculed the state
ment that IL would take sTo14O0E 10 deport the
unregistered Chinese. 1t would not. he de-
clared involve an expenditure OF HOOD. 90 and
he criticised the action OF the admins ira ton in
not enforcing the laws He was democrat
and loved the democratic party but II that par
" permitted the men OF It's selection 10 violate
the laws it had no right 20 ask for continuance
OF public confidence.
On the i2th Mr. Hit rep nl1, spoke In ia
vor OF the bill He denounced the Geary law.
II was q violation OF the public faith but il WAS
law, and 1t was he duty Of congress &C. make
n light upon the victims as possible. II car
ried out Il would he strange II it did not cause
rupture with China. Mr. Hit admitted that
Chinese coolie labor was great eti. but the
way to stop IL was by international agreement
Mr. Loud rep Cali described the evils OF
the Chinese invasion OF the Pacific coast He
criticised the administration for no. enforcing
the law He claimed that the executive power
was trying 10 overawe the legislative power.
Mr.. Hooker dem, Mss spoke in favor of
the bill
Mr.. Bartlett dem. y. " opposed the bin.
He said there would follow the enactment OF
this law as many cases to test the McCreary
amendment as there we're cases TO contest the
constitutionality of the Geary law. The under
lying object OF this legislation was to allow the
Six Companies 10 try the case again and have
q ma jority OF the supreme court turned into
minority He closed with a criticism Of the
n
regis tering.
On the 18th Mr.. Rayuer dem. Md said the
passage OF the pending McCreary bill
act of self evident justice, one that should COM
mend itself 10 every member of the house. II
we are going 10 exercise natural justice in this
country" he said. If We are going TO maintain
human rights we must pass this bill IN re-
ply to questions by Mr.. Ray rep, \. \, he
said the administration had rightfuliy done
nothing to enforce the present law, because OF
want of tie necessary funds, and be
cause. after the law had been pro
nounced constitutional by the supreme
court, there was a Likelihood OF its being
amended by the present congress In reply to
further interruption eriticising the president
for failure 10 enforce the existing law Mr.. Ray
ner said: THE pres. dent has done his duty in
accordance with the dictates OF his own con-
science. He is no weak, uncertain thing. yield
ing to every wind OF public opinion He does
not believe in bartering away any OF the priuci-
pies upon which he was swept inc office by an
overwhelming verdict"
Mr.. SielIes dem, Y made brief speech
in favor OF the pending bill.
Mr. Bowers rep, Cali warned the democrats
ami republicans that if this MoCreary bin was
passed there would not be enough OF either
party left in California to make a grease spot
that could lie seen with the naked eve. Asked
to explain what would become OF them he said
the populists would receive an astonishing in
crease in the state
Messrs. Draper and Morse freps., Mass) IA
vOred the pending bill
MIR Mcguire tdem, Cali opposed the bill. He
defended the Geary law as a reasonable, easy
and convenient requirement wholly within the
bounds Of the constitution.