The record-union., 1894-04-06
NEW CHINESE TREATY.
Protest Against Its Ratification From
samuel GomperS,

Protest Against Its Ratification From
Samuel Gompers.
New YORK, April 5.-Samuel Gompers,
President of the American Federation oi
Labor, has addressed letter to Vice
President Stevenson protesting against
the ratification by the Senate of the pro-
posed Chinese treaty.
After reciting the fact of the publica-
ton Of what purports to be the treaty,
the authenticity OF which has been de-
MED, he says: ITO say we are surprised
and distressed that the administration OF
our country should negotiate treaty OF
the character named, practically surren-
dering to the Government OF China rights
which have been struggled tor and
achieved is to say the least putting il
mildly. The Scott Exclusion Act and
the Geary law were not passed in re-
sponse to a maudlin sentiment, nor to a
national antipathy. They were not
passed as an experiment, but as the re-
suit of sore trials and the absolute neces-
sites of our people. ibis became law al
the earnest demand of the toiling masses
of our country.
cit is needless here to discuss the inn
possibility OF the amalgamation or as
similation of the Chinese in America with
our people. That has been so clearly
demonstrated as to need no elucidation at
my hands. l am sure no Senator will
need to be convinced that If the plans ol
the Scott and Geary laws have in meas
ure been successfully eyaded and violated
by the Chinese in consequence OF the
elasticity OF their consclences and their
disregard for an oath or affirmation, they
will nave no difficulty to prove that they
have lawful wives, children or parents III
| the nited States, or property therein OF
the value of $1,000, or debts OF like
amount. In fact, the safeguards of the
present law by which the American peo-
! pie can be protected against the wholesale
! invasion OF Chinese laborers are swep!
aside by this proposed treaty.
'At present an awful problem confronts
us. The appalling sight is witnessed Of
millions of our fellow men and women
actually idle and literally without the
means of sustaining life. If at any other
1 time the flood gates of immigration should
! be opened, certainly the presence of such
crisis, wisdom, patriotism, statesman
/ ship aud humanity forbid the step.
The laws now upon our statute books
| in reference to Chinese immigration have
been the result of due deliberation, and
meet the wants of our people. The pro-
posed treaty has been negotiated in dark
/ ness and secrecy. The people are not
aware their rights are about to be in
yaded and their interests destroyed, ol
we would witness such an expression O
determination on their part that would
cause the Senate to pause before this new
! light is placed upon them.
! ''If you doubt the intensity of feeling
upon this subject, give official sanction K
/ the publication OF this treaty and time fol
tine ueopIe TO demonstrate their position
nnon il. You will then be convinced
that apart from a few sentimentalists th'
American people are practically uni
AGAINST its ratification. Ia the name o
more than half million organized work
men and women of America | enter IN!
most solemn protest against the ratifica
ton of the treaty by your honorable body
and earnestly hope 1t viii be rejected"
AIR. Compers asks that the Nice-Presi
dent submit this report to the Senate.