Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-05
MITCHELL DEFENDS HIS BILL
Oregon Senator Declares Measure Based on
Existing Law,
MORE LIBERAL THAN THE eEARY ACT
Insists that Chinese Exclusion IL q
Necessity and Warns Republicans
Not to Defeat the
Measure.

WASHINGTON, April 4-The senate to-
day began consideration OF the Chinese ex-
clusion bill, Mr.. Mitchell Of Oregon max
ing the opening speech. He pointed out
forcefully the necessity for the exclusion
Of Chinese lsborers and carefully and
elaborately analyzed the bill. He said that
It had been constructed on the basis Of ex-
isting law. in the light of experience and
OF the decisions in the courts. While its
provisions were drastic, the bill, he said,
in some respects was more liberal than the
Gesry act.
The Indian appropriation bill was under
consideration for a time. but was not COM
pleted.
When Mr.. Jones Of Arkansas appeared on
the floor Of the senate today, after a pro-
tracted absence, during which he passed
through a warm and unsuccessful contest
for reelection, he was surrounded imme-
diately by a number OF his colleagues, all
anxious to learn the details of the contest.
He was given a most cordial greeting by
senators on both sides Of the chamber.
Removal of ROsecrans' Remains.
A concurrent resolution was adopted pro-
viding for the appointment Of a joint COM
mission of the two branches Of congress to
fer Of the remains Of General william s.
Rosecrans from California to their final
resting place In Arlington cemetery. The
committee on the part Of the senate was
named as follows: Senators Foraker,
Spooner, Proctor, Bate and Pettus.
The reading OF the Chinese exclusion bill
was then begun and various committee
amendments and amendments in phraseoI-
ogy were agreed to.
Mr.. Mitchell said that the policy OF the
Chinese exclusion had become one OF the
great policies of this country, acquiesced in
by all political parties and as firmly fixed
as the Monroe doctrine. 1t is a policy
based upon the general welfare, upon the
principle OF protection to American labor
and upon the doctrine of protection against
noxtous infection Of those institutions
which constitute American civilization.
object of Trainers.
The trainers Of the measure had endeav-
ored to make 1t as effective as possible as
q restrictive measure while keeping stead
lily In view all necessary means of protec-
tton against fraud. No radical departure
was proposed from the statute now In oper-
alton, the bill being virtual codlfcation
OF the existing laws and regulations con-
Chinese persons. The aim Of the trainers
was carefully to avoid anything which
! might give Just cause for offense to the
Chinese empire and to an extent at least
1t was a more liberal measure. so far as
the exempted classes were concerned. than
| that which is now on the statute books.
The theory on which the measure was
| constructed" he said, sis not that ali
| Chinese persons who are not prohibited
may enter this country, but upon the con.
trary, the legislation proceeds upon the
theory that only those are allowed to enter
who are especially exempted"
| Classification of Chinese.
Therefore every Chinese person shall b,
deemed a laborer, within the meaning o.
the bill, who is not an off1cial, a teacher
a student, a merchant or a traveller fol
| pleasure.
Referring to the resolution in the meas
ure for the prevention Of fraud, Mr.
Mitchell said that no one could question
the authority OF congress to establish anC
enforce all necessary rules which woulC
operate as statutory safeguards agains
fraud and which would test properly tht
good faith Of Chinese persons claiming L
belong to one or another OF the exempted
classes. He held that this government
! never would barter away its inalienabl,
right to prohibit the coming to this eountr.
| OF any class Of people from any countr,
on earth IL in the judgment of congress
such persons were Objectionable.
1T Is not, when viewed from the prope
standpoint. In conflict with any existin,
treaty stipulations between the Unite,
States and China" he said
Warns His Party.
In conclusion Mr.. Mitchell warned tn
republicans OF the senate that IL the.
failed to pass the proposed bill, which hat
been agreed upon by a nonpartisan com
mission, and insisted on forcing the passag
Of statute which is inadequate and in
efficient, then at the coming election loOl
out for such a vote OF condemnation Of tn
republican party on the Pacific coast a
you have not heard since the overthrow
Of the republican party in 1884"
Mr.. Quay gave notice OF the following
amendment as an additional section to tn
exclusion bill:
That nothing herein contained shall b
construed to exclude Chinese Christians, o
Chinese who assisted in the defense or re
lief Of the foreigA legations OF the Pe-Tan
cathedral, in the city Of Pekin in the yea
l9OO'
In response to an inquiry by Mr.. Quay
Mr.. Penrose, in charge Of the measure
said he could not accept the amendment
as not a member Of the immigration com
mission was In favor OF IT,
How many Chinese will that amend
ment let in?" Mr.. Mitchell asked.
II hoped Il would have the effect" re
piled Mr.. Quay, "of Outstanding tn
whole Chinese empire"
"It would let in at least 1000, ,OOO," sug
gested Mr.. Mitchell
quite likely 25O, OOO. .OOO," interjected Nj
Hale.
The senate at 5:15 went into executiy
session, and Sis p. m. adjourned.
SARGENT ACCEPTS THE PLACI