Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-27
The Act to Be Again Passed by the
Coming Congress-
GREATER RESTRICTIONS NEEDED
How the Classification of Mer.
chants is Evaded.
FLUCTUATIoN OF ENTRIES

A law for the further exclusion Of Chi
nese will, it is generally believed be enact
ed during the coming session of Congress
In all probability it will not be a re-enact-
ment of the present law, but will be new
measure, so drawn as to include many Of
the present rules and regulations which
are now enforced by the Treasury Depart
ment, but which are not included in the
present law.
President Roosevelt, it is expected, will
recommend the passage of the Chinese ex-
clusion act and while it is possible that a
number of members of Congress are not
particularly favorable to such a law the
strenuous advocacy Of the same by men,
bers interested and the matter Of political
expediency will. insure its passage
The present Chinese exclusion law was
not single act, as seemed to be the gen.
eral impression, but was a piece of pro-
gressive legislation begun in 1852. The law
or loS2 was merely restriction law, but
by addition and amendment in 1884, 1888,
1882, 1888, 1884, 1898 and 1900 it became
strictly as was then deemed possible
against an influx of Chinese labor into the
United States.
The census of 1870 showed g. 1919 China
men In this country. The census Of 1880,
100, 465. The census of 1880, 107 ,475, and
the census of 1900 places this number at
1880. Government officials believe that
in all these estimates the number of Chi
nese in the United States is very much I'M
derstated. The taking of a census among
Cinnamon is extremely difficult, and it is
beileved that many are not returned it
being desired by those interest ed to cut the
number down in the official reports Spe-
cial agents, who have charge of the admin
istration of the Chinese exclusion act. be-
lieve that there are now between 10000
and 200 GOO Chinese in the United States
in the census.
Number FIuctuates.
At the port of San Francisco alone 10000
Chinese entered this country in 1852. The
number arriving tluctuates very materially
each year. This is generally believed to be
caused by the reports sent from this coun-
try to China as to whether times are good
or bad for the Chinese in the United States
In 1854 only 10000 Chinese came to the
United States, and from 1856 to 1872 the
yearly average was considerably less than
10000. From 1868 to 1876 the yearly aver
age was between 5000 and 1900, while in
1881 and 1882 over $4,000 Chinese arrived
in this country. This increase in the num-
Der of immigrants was caused by the agita-
ton which resulted in the restriction law
Of 1882 Notwithstanding the laws restrain
Ing this Chinese movement over 250,O 900 Chi
nese have entered the United States from
1880 to the present time. The number COM
ing in has increased remarkably in each
year or so preceding the passage of new
anti-Chinese legislation.
The sugar planters of Hawaii are making
strong appeal for some modification of
the Chinese exclusion act to allow of the
importation of laborers for those islands,
and 1t is understood that Representative
Hit will propose such measure. 1t is
doubtful, however, whether this will pre-
VAIL as few members of Congress will care
to go on record in opposition to the univer-
sal demand of labor that the Chinese be
rigidly excluded from all American posses
sions. An outlet has been found for Porto
Rico labor in Hawaii. and while this is still
in experimental stage it will be used as an
argument against Mr.. Hits proposition.
Special agents who have investigated the
matter thoroughly assert that the present
law should be changed so as to make
stricter classification of Chinese merchants.
This is one of the most generally evaded
sections of the law, and under it's pro-
visions Cinnamon are admitted as mer-
chants who are no more entitled to the
designation than would be the owner of
peanut stand or a fruit huckster. 1t is also
believed by these agents that more liber-
atty should be shown in the admission of
professional people, such as actors, teach
ers and others, though they are emphatic
in their belief that no restrictions too Sc
we're can be put upon any immigration Of
those whose ultimate purpose is to become
laborers. 1t is also stated~that as China
admits commercial travellers from the
tend the same privileges to representatives
OF Chinese merchants.
Those Now Exempt From Exclusion.
Three classes Of Chinese are now exempt
from the operations of the exclusion act
laborers who have registered In this coun-
try prior to 1894, merchants and visitors
the latter class those with certificates from
foreign governments, such as government
officials students and travellers for pleas
ure or instruction. All Of these exemption
privileges have been greatly abused. Ger
tificates have been sold or traded, wrongful
classifications sworn to, and while these
abuses have recently been greatly checked
by increased activity on the part Of gov
eminent agents, many Cinnamon get into
the country by fraudulent means.
Under a treaty with China made in 1894
the privilege Of transit across the United
States is given to those going to other
countries This privilege has also been
greatly abused. Cinnamon are taken to
Mexico and from there smuggled across the
southern border. Many Cinnamon have
also been smuggled into the United States
from the northwest British territories, es
pecially flate years inns i is treaty viii ex <.
will be as a matter Of international cour-
tesy, an effort will be made to place still
greater restrictions In force to prevent If
possible the use of neighhQr1ng countries
as a basis for the smuggling Of undesirable
human bodies into the United States.
All Cinnamon found in the United States
illegally are deported at the expense of the
government During the fiscal year ending
in June, 1901, there were % departures at
an average expense per capita Of 1886. This
amount does not include the legal services
necessary About two-thirds of the depart
ures are smuggled entries, and 1t is known
that Cinnamon have come into the United
States from Mexico and Canada for the
express purpose of getting to China at the
expense of this government. During the
last fiscal year 4, 500 Cinnamon applied for
admission, 1854 were admitted and 918
were denied. During the same period 1907
passed through the United States in tran
sit to other countries sig1stas
All Expect to Return to China.
It is known that all .Chinarnen who come
here expect to return to China. While here
they send most Of their money home to
their families, the support Of relatives be-
ing the highest virtue known to Chi
nese religion Some offthe departures carry
considerable cash with them, but the
money is generally sent In the form Of ex-
change, of which the banks sell very large
amounts each year.
A census bulletin just about to be issued
estimates the total nunber of Chinese in
the United States at 10, ESQ., This includes,
however, 25,767 in Hawaii 3,116 in Alaska
and 3O4 at military and naval stations
oh,oaA 1aox,frr hut 2kS In ho Jypit al