The San Francisco call., 1901-12-05
SENDS PETITIONS
To WASHINGTON
Hints to Budd, Phelan,
TruXton Beale and
Others.
Excluded Speech of Orator
Shortridge May Be
Forwarded.

Politicians Of both parties consider that
the message Of President Roosevelt rec
Ommenoing the re-enactment of the Chi
nese exclusion law practically settles that
question. When the fact is taken into ac-
count that both houses of Congress are al
most unanimous in their support of the
President on this proposition it can be
readily seen that the Congressional dele
gauon chosen to represent the people of
california in the Senate and House of
Representatives can easily promote the
legislation desired without the assistance
OF an outside committee
There is grave danger that the visiting
committeeman recently appointed by
1homas J. Geary to go to Washington
ana enllghten Congress might display
more zeal in politics than judgment in
legislation and thus obstruct rather than
advance the cause of exclusion The rep
resentatives elected by the people are re-
sponsible 10 the people and their able ef-
forts 70 protect the industrial forces of
the State from the unfair competition of
Asa should not be hampered by too
many outside suggestions. The right of
peuuon, however, IL guaranteed by the
constitution and if Ex-Governor Budd,
Mayor Phelan and Truxton Beale desire
10 90 on record as UneQuiVOcally opposed
70 the admission of Chinese they can dis
play a flne sense Of the fitness Of things by
signing a petition faVoring the re-enact-
ment of the exclusion law. Our delega-
tiOn in Congress would doubtless present
the petition under the rules and the
prayer of the petition would be properly
placed on the record. Ex-Governor Budd,
who has been in Congress, knows that
this is the right way to proceed and
Mayor Phelan, who hopes to get there,
ought TO be Steered right Letters supple
menIing the petition and presenting in
logical detail all the objections, indus
trial and political 10 foreign immigra-
ton Of the Asiatic type could be written
TO our Senators and Representatives.
The Report Should Be Fair.
It is certainly in order to send TO Con-
gress printed reports of the proceedings
of the late exclusion convention. The re-
port should be fairly made up. 1t should
embrace the speeches made by represent
atiVes of the Union Labor party as well
as those made by the orators Of the Re
publican and Democratic parties re
4 high-minded sense of courtesy might
suggest the printing OF the speech pre-
pared by the Hon. Samuel N. Shortridge,
which was excluded because the orator
was persona non grata TO the pro-
grammers of the convention Mr. Short
ridge, it is explained. was excluded from
the orators zone because he happened to
have a Chinese client, but the true cause
Of the exclusion was rank Jealousy. None
Of the programmed speakers could match
him for eIOQuence of language or state
nness of gesture. Therefore he was turned
down and not permitted to speak.
Great Seal for shortridge.
Indeed. II would be a graceful ana pa
triouc act on the part OF the printing
committee 10 embrace Mr.. Shortridge 5
excluded speech in the volume of anti
Chinese literature and send the same TO
Washington along with the Budd-Phelan-
Beale petition. Governor Gage, who is
making prOmiscuOus use of the great seal
of the State. might countersign the Short
ridge excluded speech with one of the
seals. In the late municipal campaign
ShOrtridge, in sentences lofty and inspiT-
ing, pictured the glorious achievements
Of Cages administration of State affairs.
and it would not be out of place now for
the Governor TO reach out and lend Sam
q great seal even if it resembled a gold
brick
Internal Revenue Collectorship.
Dispatches from Washington represent
that Senators Perkins and Bard have in
rrOduced to the President the subject of
the collectorship Of internal revenue,
First District Of California. Senator Bard
recommends the appointment of Stephen
Kelly Of San Bernardino- Senator Per-
kins, II appears, expresses a desire for
the retention Of John c. Lynch. The
story comes that President Roosevelt
DOintedly told Perkins to see his col
league and come to an agreement, indi-
eating by his manner and language that
4 the Senator's failed to agree he would
settle the dispute by appointing a man
Of his own selection. The President is
known to be a master in the art Of ter
minating controversies. When he was
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and
acting for the Secretary in the latter S
absence. the California delegation got
into a dispute concerning an appointment
in that department Mr. Roosevelt listen
gan 70 show signs Of irritation. Finally
he said to the contestants: IF you do
not settle this affair within one week
viii make the appointment"