The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-26
NOT TO REGISTER.
The Chinese Return Their
Certificates.
ADVISED TO REMAIN ALooF.
No Action to Be Taken Until the
Supreme Court Decides the
Geary Act.

The Chinese crisis and the Geary act have
alike been brought to an issue by the latest
news from jacksonville. 1t is II clear case
OF the Six Companies defying the law.
X. b. Dunlap, deputy collector OF the San
Jose division, recently went to Watsonyille
to receive the blanks of some Chinese EN-
ployed in the beet-Sugar refinery.
He had sent notice of his intention, and
found the blanks which were to be filled up
by Chinese desiring registration duly filed.
But between the date OF his notice and the
date of his arrival a change had come o'e1
the spirit of the Monaghan dream.
messenger from the Six Companies had
appeared in WatSunvile and notified the
Chinese to refrain" with all that he term
applies. So it happened that the Celestials
declined TO 90 any further in making affi-
davis or doing anything else to comply
with the GeaTy law.
Deputy Collector Borland found it even
so at Modesto where a company of fifty
three Chinese who had dec AIRED their will
ingness to register sud- nly stopped all
proceedings. SO IL was N Antioch. So 1t
was at Lagrange.
Borland found that quite large number
OF blanks had been obtained and applica-
tons tiled in all these places. but that the
Dix Companies had issued their edct and
things had been cut short.
Collector Quinn was out of town yester-
GNy' lie 10 dllCuhiHH luG lnGeIluE VI lub
Grand ParlOr of Native Sons. But ii was
speedily conveyed to the Chinese at Wat
sOnvllle that il they wanted to withdraw
Their registration papers there would be no
difficulties thrown in their way.
Practically the Watsonyllle affair is that
of the Chinese throughout the State. 1t is
war now and the registration matter is a
mere farce till the cOnsttutionality of the
Geary bill has been determined.
United STATES District Attorney Garter
had heard nothing of the jacksonville affair,
at least officially.
II have not been called on" said he, "fnr
advice or for instructions relating to the
matter. have not even been Informed Of
sueh an occurrence.
II do not know of any law that would
authorize the officer to accept the return of
the certificates. | cannot understand why
Chinese who has obtained a certificate
would desire to return it. There is nothing
10 c0mpel him to do so.
The general law provides that one year
alter the passage of the Geary act a Chinese
laborer found with out a certificate must be
brought before United States Judge unless
ne shows that he was prevented by sickness
or other disability from Obtaining his GER
tlncate. Failing in such evidence lie would
be adiudged to be uulawfully in the United
States and would be deported.
III the statement about these Watson
vile Chinese be true 1t would virtually
amount TO the accomplishment of the very
piupoSitlOu tHe country is cUntenQinH IOf--
namely, getting rid Of the Chinese. They are
voluntarily deriving themselves of certif-
cafes and will be liable to be deported.
Now then. There is some curiosity to
know what is going to be done about them.
Yesterday | received letter from the
Attorney General saying that in the event
OF case being brought up to test the Geary
act 1t is not advisable to institute other pro-
ceedings; that the Supreme Court will hear
the argument in such 4 case on May next
am also told not TO take any other steps
until after the decision has been rendered.
Tue letter puts the position in anutshell.
The Six Companies have appealed to Cesar
and TO Cesar they must 90.
The Attorney General says THE Supreme
Court Is 10 pass upon tile constitutions
atty OF the Geary act, and arrangements
have been made for prompt hearing before
That tribunal In view of the fact that the
Sdpreme Court is to decide this matter |
shall instruct you to refrain from causing
tue arrest Of any Chinaman or hold them In
custody until the decision of the Supreme
Court is r ndered'"