The morning call., 1893-10-12


reason for it. We invited the downtrocden
and oppressed of all countries to come
here. The statistics showed that there
were 9,5O0,0O0 foreigners In this country.
Not one of them had been subjected to
such an indignity.
Mcguire interrupted McCreary and i'm
patiently and sharply demanded to know
whether 1t was not true the Chinese had
failed to register because so ordered by the
Chinese Six Companies. McCreary said
he knew nothing about that.
1T is fact, though" said Mcguire.
The Kentuckian said that the Chinese
had been advised by their attorneys that
the registration act was unconstitutional,
and those attorneys counseled them not to
take out certificates of residence there
under. He said only five Justices OF the
United States Supreme Court had affirmed
the constitutiOnality of the registration
act. Three of them, including Justices
Fuller, Field of California and Brewer of
Kansas. all distinguished jurists. had de-
clared otherwise, Harlan being absent.
In answer to a question by Herman Of
Oregon as to whether Chinese working
women and young Chinese boys would be
regarded as "laborers" within the mean
ing of the bill, McCreary said that de-
pended altogether; that Judge Ross had
decided that even gamblers. in fact all but
the exempted class of Chinese, VIZ: mer-
chants. travellers. actors aud students,
were "laborers."
Herman was not satisfied with this
answer and said the Government officers
ought to expend the money on hand.
McCreary said 152 Chinese had been de-
ported, but admitted they were not con-
victed under the registration act.
The Kentuckian closed at 2:55 o'clock,
and Geary, who followed, was granted leave
to proceediwithout limit. and he began
witt an indignant denial of the reflections
made upon Pacific Coast people in their
war on the Chinese. The Moors were not
expelled, the Jews were not driven out,
the Huguenots were not forced from their
homes because they had refused to obey
the laws of the country in which they re-
sided. The chairman of the Foreign At
fairs Committee was 10 more humane than
he. no more Christian than he.
while [ don't beiievs the Chinese are
entitled to any new rights" said he. "if l
believed this bill would give us settle
opportunity to regulate their stay here and
prevent more from coming, would vote
for it. l am against it because believe it
only temporizes with the situation. We
will offer amendments which we believe
would make the bill effective. If they are
rejected we will vote against it."
He went on to speak of adverse criti-
cism OF the bill that bore his name. He
spoke of the resoln tions adopted by
different religious bodies-all, strange to
say. in the same phraseology demanding
the immediate repeal of the Geary law.
What right, he asked. had any church to
ask Congress to do anything? He had sup
posed that the line between church and
state was sharply drawn in this country
He did not deny the sacred right
OF petition. but churchmen must
petition as individuals and not
invoke the influence OF the church.
lADplause.J Ever since 1892. when the
United States had declared its hostility to
the Chinese, there never was an hour
when, by fraud and duplicity. Chinese
were not trying at all the borders of the
United States to break into this country.
China, knowing this, could have stopped
the violation Of the law. but China had
remained silent. There was no room for
sympathy for China. She had never
neglected an opportunity to defraud us.
The surplns earnings of the Chinese,
which they had carried back to China,
amounted to the enormous sum of $780,
100000
"Do you WONDER" he asked, why we
don't like the Chinese in California? II
in any one of your Eastern States 100, 600
laborerS were sapping from your wealth
$4,000 day in surplus earnings, would
you not want to get rid of them? They
are an army of leeches. not an army of
laborers."
Haven't they given you value re-
ceived ?" asked Baker of New Hampshire.
Geary in answer dwelt upon the ruinous
effects Of Chinese com petition and showed
how laborers' wages in California and on
the Pacific Coast had been reduced. He
declared that the Chinese could live on six
cents per day. He believed now In pro-
tecting the American laborer against the
pauper la borer as we'll as from the product
of the pauper laborer. Applause.
Henderson of Iowa, interrupting the
speaker. said: 'That's pretty good Re-
publican doctrine"
IF my party does not believe in that
doctrine" replied Geary. "then 1 will quit
it; but think it does"
"Why don't you want to extend the
limit" asked Baker, $50 as to include
other foreigners besides Chinese?"
81 have bill In this House now," re-
piled Geary. ito prevent immigration.
Will you vote for II, rs I will?" ZAP
plause.
II believe In revising our treaties first"
said Baker.
'Some people," said the Californian
contemptuously, "seem to believe that we
haven't got our growth yet; that before
legislatirg we must consult the wishes of
foreign countries" [Applause.]
1--WE are not too old to be honest" Baker
retorted.
Proceeding. Geary insisted that photo.
graphs afforded the only sure means of
Identification. "Why don't you allow us.
who understand the tricks of the Chinese
better than you do," he asked, ito Judge
what exclusion laws will be effective? We
know best what provisions are required.
/ don't insist on photographs. but do say
that N ordinary daspription of a Cbfpa,a