Arizona daily citizen., 1901-06-26
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.

The Chinese exclusion act now in operation eX-
pires in May 1902 and the contendng forces of la
Dor and unscrupuous capital are preparing to renew
the Congressional controversy During many years
the question has required at regular intervals and
has been discussed with considerable show OF feel
ing on each recurrence. The advocates of an open
door have always pointed out with truth the indus
trious and aw-abiding disposition of these people,
their docility and harmlessness. Some, assuming
the mask of philanthropy, plead for policy of JUS
tice toward an honorable and unfortunate people
And yet another, rapidly growing class urges that
our present policy of adverse discrimination is calcu
lated to deprive us of commercial advantages IN
China which will be withheld in a spirit of realia-
ton
There is Il prevailing belief in labor circles that
the Administration, which has shown tendency to
subordinate everything to commercial advance, VIII
look unfavoraby upon revival of the exclusion act
The Republicans of Ohio yesterday declared in favor
of exclusion, but this will have more influence
with Hanna, when he conlers with trust magnates
than passing Whit of air At the last session OF
the federation of labor President Gompers called at
tention to the termination of the present law, and
resolution was passed pledgng the federation to a
fight in favor of the re-enactment of measure
which efectuay exclude this Objectionable
class The low level of living and consequent cheap
ness of Chinese labor while compatible with the in
terest of capital is absolutely destructive of the
interest of labor One very peculiar feature of the
policy of the average protectonist is that while his
ardent devotion to the of labor prompts him to
prohibit foreign products he is generally opposed to
the prohibition of starvation labor.
The objection of labor to the unregulated immi-
grafton of these people is based and
vatve grounds. There is something manifestly un-
fair in permitting foreign people to drive own
toiers from The mines and farms and shops that they
may accumulate sufficient gold to permit of life of
leisure in their own land If they are not good
enough to participate in the privileges of citizenship
they are not good enough to compete with and de-
grade American labor.
1t is reported that Congress may attempt to de-
lay action on this measure until after the Congress
sonal election of next fall The assistant secretary
of the treasury makes the following significant con-
fesson. 'If the exclusion act is allowed to expire
without renewal, the treaty between the United
States and China which does not expire until Dec.
g. 1904, will be in force and under this treaty the
Chinese enter
The Knights of Labor have it within their power
to compel a re-enactment if they but present solid
front. An organization numbering a million and g
quarter with the cooperation of all the friends Of la
Dor, should have trouble in impressing its desires
upon legislation. However, should they rely upon
the good will of the Administration they will lose
their legislative protection 1t is too busy engaged
in building an empire and extending privileged com
meree to give much to the interests of labor.