Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-06-05
THE SLIPPERY CHINEE.
How They Are Sworn Into This
Country by Tileir Brothers.
Secretary Carlisle Writes to Speaker Reed
Relative to Having the Law So
Amended as to Correct the
Evil-Iiis Suggestion.

A New York Tribune special from
Washington says: On the subject Of
Chinese exclusion Secretary Carlisle
has written to the speaker of the house
letter, an abstract of which is as fol-
lows:
"SIR: | have the honor to state that
III many instances that Chinese apply
for admission to the United States on
the ground that they were born in this
country and visited China with their
parents at an early age, where they
remained for various reasons for many
Years. In every instance in support Of
their claim for admission they present
the testimony of Chinese persons who
certify that the applicants were born
IN this country; that they knew them,
during infancy; We're acquainted with
the parents, etc. In one instance re-
ported an applicant was refused adj
mission and the case was taken before
United States commissioner, who
held that the testimony of the Chinese
witnesses standing uncontradicted was
sufficient to establish the claim of the
applicant that he was a native of the
state of California, and his admission
to this country was thereby ordered.
I'm view of the Increased number of
applications from Chinese for admis-
sion to this country on the ground that,
being born here, they are American cit
liens, and of the difficulties experienced
by officers of this department in verify-
ing and controverting the testimony
OF Chinese witnesses produced by such
applicants, / have the honor to invite
attention to the subject with a view to
such special legislation as will correct
practice which in my opinion nulli-
fies in many particulars the intent Of
the laws relating to the exclusion Of the
Chinese. l inclose an amendment,
which, in my Judgment, will correct
this evil. In this connection I desire
to call your attention to the fact that:
Chinese merchants, prior to leaving
this country, frequently have at1idavits
of witnesses prepared and sworn to be-
lore notaries to the effect that the said
Chinese are known to them, and that
they are bona fide merchants. These
affidavits, on their return to the United
States, are received as evidence by the
customs officers. In the trial OF ono
such case, in which it was charged the
afiidavits We're periured before United
States commissioner, it was held that
there was no law under which such
atfidavits could be taken before notaries
public, and that the charge Of perjury
in the case could not, therefore, be sus-
tanned. Should it be deemed advlsable
to amend the existing law, as hereinbe-
fore suggested, it is respectfully SUBJ
nitted that the amendment be of such
character as to provide proper punish
ment for persons who make false off
davits in Chinese cases before notaries
public"
Following is the amendment proposed
by Secretary Carlisle:
THAT the several laws relating to the eY-
clusion of Chinese be and the same are
| hereby amended in such a manner as to re-
Quire in all instances where proceedings
are taken affecting the right of Chinese to
enter or remain in the United States, or
where persons of Chinese descent claim the
right to reenter the United States as citi-
zens thereof. the testimony of other than
Chinese persons or persons of Chinese de-
scent, and in case where afIidavits are
taken before notaries public or justices of
the peace, in matters pertaining to the adj
mission of Chinese to this country, or for
their Identification and il is found that such
| afiidavits are falsely made or not sustained
by the facts, the persons making the Same
shall be and are hereby made amenable to
the existing laws prescribing punishment
fer oeriurN."