New-York tribune., 1901-01-17
MR. WU TALKS TO LEGISLATORS.
SPEAKS OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CHINESE AND AMERICAN LAwAIAKING.

SPEAKS OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CHINESE AND AMERICAN LAwAIAKING
Albany San 16 (SpeciaD. WI Ting
fang visited the Capitol this morning and spoke
in both Houses. The Minister is in this city as
the guest OF the State Bar Association. When
his presence became known in the lobby Of the
Assembly Chamber Mr.. Aids, leader Of the Re-
plbncans addressed the Chair by saying: "Mr.
Speaker, understand that there is in waiting
distinguished representative of a foreign coun-
try, and move, sir. that a committee be ap-
pointed to escort him to the Assembly Cham
ber"
Mr.. Aids as leader Of the Republican contin-
gent and Mr. Frisbie. as the leader of the
Democratic minority, then conducted the Chinese
Minister TO the chair. He was dressed in the
conventional robes Of the Orient, which ap-
peared 10 be exceedingly unconventional when
he stood beside Speaker Nixon and faced the
chamber from the Speakers desk He bowed
nodestly at the burst Of applause win which
he was greeted, and then said:
feel greatly embarrassed in being asked to say
something. My intention was TO come here to
learn something from you; TO see how you WORK
than The Speaker Of the Assembly calls upon me TO
address you. can only say this: 1t Is great
your work in such orderly way-Qaughter)-a
way We have not in China, although this is, COM
country has a good deal to learn from a young
country and this is OF the things we ought
10 learn I hope the time will not be distant, but
still I cannot say when shall be able TO ADOPT
district OF the State 10 legislate for the govern
nent OF the State. You see, in emma we nave
about twenty provinces, all governed by the I'M
perial Government. in the King. or course ms
power is delegated TO the Governors, ana these
officers govern the different provinces; but the Gov
ernors and the officers have almost actual power.
Subject 10 the disapproval OF the sovereign 70
legislate what IS proper for the welfare or the
province But as TO a thing of this kind-tnat Is,
power being delegated to the people 10 eglsate Ior
the welfare Of the people in the province, tnat Is
unknown in China So l say 1t would De
good thing for US TO take lesson from YOU pc
cause then. you see, all the wants OF the people
would be known.
The short speech of the Minister was greeted
with great applause. He was later introduced
70 the Senate.
In the course of his remarks in the Senate
WI Ting-fang paid compliment to Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff which brought forth roars
Of laughter from the Senators and series OF
struggled emotions from Mr.. Woodruff himself
The Minister had said that he regarded the
Leutenant-Governor a man destined TO Ill
most exalted position, and then added:
suppose that this office which he now hoios
is only stepping stone TO a higher place. rms
sentence was received with such applause from
several parts of the Chamber that the Speaker
IN an endeaYor to cap the climax, wrought an
anti-climax But" he concluded. Il fear that
You find him so valuable here, that you can
even dispense with him" Mr. Woodruff could
only respond with an ill-concealed blush