The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-08

sity OF Exclusion OF Chinese Lab
orers-Two Measures Presented I'm
the House Majority Bill Les.
Drastic Than That of the Senate
The Minority's About the same.
The Measure From Porto Rfcan
and Philippine StandpOints.
Washington, April 4.-The senate to-
day began the consideration of what is
popularity known as the Chinese. ex-
elusion bill. Senator Mitchell, of Ore
Gon, delivered the opening speech. He
pointed out f~orcefully the necessity for
the exclusion OF Chinese laborers and
carefully analysed the provisions of
the measure which had been presented
by the committee. He said that it had
been constructed ON the basis Of the
existing law, in the light of experience
and OF the decisions OF the courts.
dill, in some respects, was more liberal
than the Geary act.
The Indian appropriation was under
consideration fJr a time. but was not
completed.
A concurrent resolution was adopted
providing for the appointment of a
Joint committee of the two branches
of congress 10 attend the ceremonies
incident to the transfer of the remains
OF General william r. Rosecrans from
California to their final resting place,
in Arlington cemetery, near this city.
The house took similar action.
The reading of the Chinese exclusion
Oil then was begun and various COM
mittee amendments and amendments
in p~hraseology were agreed to.
During the reading of the measure
Senator Quay gave notice of the fol-
lowing amendment as an additional
section.
That nothing herein contained shall
be construed to exclude Chinese
Christians or Chinese who assisted in
the defense or relief of the foreign le-
cations or the Pe-Tang cathedral. in
the City of Pekin, in the year 1907
enator Penrose, in charge of the
measure, said he could not accept the
amendment, as not a member of the
immigration committee was in favor
Of it.
How any Chinese will that amend
nent let in?" inquired Senator
Mitchell.
al hope it would have the effect" re-
piled Senator Quay, of C~hristianizing
-AO AAAAS AHA
1T would let IN at least a million"
suggested Senator Mitchell.
Quite likely $50, 900, 0CO," interposed
Senator Hale.
Without concluding the reading of
the bill. the senate at Sis o'clock
went into executive session and at Sis
e'click adjourned.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The house today entered upon the
RnnGi0PratiOn nf the Chinese Exclusion
bill No opponents of the general prin-
ciple Of exclusion appeared, but the
members were diVided in their support
OF the two bills presented. Messrs.
Hit, of Illinois: Perkins. of New York,
and Adams. of Pennsylvania, supported
the majority bill and Messrs. Clark, Of
Missouri: Kahn. of California, anu
happen. of Massachusetts, spoke for
the minority substitute.
Mr.. Mahon. of Pennsylvania, asked
unanimous consent that the omnibus
claims bill be sent to conference, but
Mr.. Maddox, of Georgia, objected. This
was the day set aside for the consider
alton of war claims. but Mr.. Mahon,
chairman of the committe on war
claims, yielded with the understanding
that a week from Tuesday be devoted
TO war claims. and the house thereupon
went into committee of the whole and
took uD the Chinese exclusion bill.
NIL. I1lIls VI NAAoAA I1ANAl VI LII
committee on foreign affairs, who had
personal charge of the exclusion bill,
said the committee was unanimous IN
the opinion hat the admission of Chi
nese laborers into this country would
be a serious evil. One of the main
problems which the committee had to
solve. he said. was in connection with
the administration of the privileged
classes. merchants. travellers. officials.
teachers and students. so as to pre-
vent fraud and at the same time to
avoid harassing and -tormenting bona
nde Chinese merchants. Mr.. Perkins,
OF New York. who drew the report upon
the bill explained the measure IN de-
tail.
Mr.. Clark. of Missouri. a member OF
the committee who made a minority
report in favor of the senate bill which
Is more drastic. predicted that if the
supreme court should decided that the
citizens and subjects of Spain in the
Philippine islands became American
citizens by annexation. thus allowinS
the free entry of Cinnamon into the
United States from the Philippines, the
Islands would be unloaded.
Mr.. Clark maintained that the peo-
ole of the Pacific understood the Chi
aese problem better than the people OF
the other sections. just as. he said, the
people of the south were more compe-
tent to deal with the negro question
than those of the north. If the sub
etitute bill failed Mr.. Clark said he
would offer the provision to prohibit
Chinese crews on American ships as an
amendment to the majority bill
Al 5:15 o'clock the house adjourned.