The morning call., 1894-04-06
DRAWN IN SECRET
Protest Against the
Chinese Treaty.
SPEAKS FOR WHITE MEN.
Samuel Gompers Writes to the
ViCe-PreSident.
LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD.
The Toiling Millions Will Rise as
One Man Against MOngolian
Invasion.

NEW YORK, April 5.-Samel Gompers,
president of the American Federation of
Labor. has addressed letter TO Vice
President Stevenson protesting against
the ratification by the Senate of the pro-
posed Chinese treaty.
After recl,ing the fact of the publication
of what purportS TO be the treaty, the
authenticity of which has been denied, he
says:
"To say we are surprised and distressed
that the administration of our country
should negotiate treaty of the character
named-practically surrendering to the
Government of China rights which have
been struggled for and chlevpd, Is, to say
the least. putting it mildly. The Scott ex-
clusion act and the Geary law were not
passed in response To maudlin sentiment
nor national antipathy. They were not
passed as an experiment, but as the result
of sore trials and he absolute necessities
OF our people. They became laws at the
earnest demand of the toiling masses of
our country.
1T is needless here to discuss the i'm
poss biity OF the amalgamation or assmi-
latiOn of the Chinese in America with our
people. That has been 80 clearly demon
straLed as to need no elucdatiOn by my
hands. | am Su no Senators will need
be convinced that if the plans of the Scott
ana Geary laws have in measure been
successfully evaded and violated by the
Chinese, in consequence of the elasticity
of heir consciences and their disregard for
any oath or affirmation, they will have 10
difficulty TO prove they have lawful wives,
children or parents in the United 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 people can be protected
against the wholesale invasion of Chinese
laborers are swept aside by this proposed
irea V.
'At present an awful problem confronts
us. The appalling sight is witnessed of
millions of our fellow men and women
actually idle aud literally without the
means of sustaining life. If At any other
time the floodgates. of immigration should
be opened, certainly in the presence of such
a crisis wisdom, patriotism, Statesmanship
and humanity forbid the step. The laws
now upon our statute-boOk in reference to
| Chinese immigration have been the result
of due deliberation and meet the wants of
our people. The proposed treaty has been
negotiated in darkness and secrecy. The
people are not aware that their rights are
about to be invaded and their interests de-
sIroved or we would witness such an ex-
preston OF determination on their part
as would cause the Senate to pause be-
fore this new blight is placed upon them.
IF you doubt the intensity of feeling
upon this subject give official sanction to
the publicity of this treaty and time for
the people to demons strate their position
upon it, You will then be convinced that
apart from a few sentimentalists the
American people are practically a unit
against its ratification.
''In the name of more than half million
organized workmen and women of Amer
lea [ enter most solemn protest against the
ratification Of the treaty by your honor
able body and earnestly hope it will be
rejected"
Mr.. Go mperS asks that the Vice-Presi-
dent submit this protest to the Senate.