Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-19
Atistellaueul1s geading.
CHINBSB EXCLUSION.
Senator McLaurin Protests Against
Mitchell Bill.
Threatened DISASTER To
SOUTHERN INDUSTRY

Appears the Fact That the Speaker
Not Only Understands the Welfare
of His People; But That He Is AL
ways on Guard to Protect That
Welfare.
The senate has had the Chinese ex-
clusion question under consideration
during the past few weeks. This ques-
tion began to assume Importance In
1868, when the increasing numbers OF
Chinese immigrants began to make
the people of California and other
western. states Uneasy. In 1880, the
Chinese population had increased to
1O6 6ss. A bill to restrict immigration
had been vetoed by President Hayes IN
1879; but in 1892 congress passed the
very stringent measure known as the
Gary law. This was directed especial
ly at Chinese laborers. and provided
that although all the Chinese already
in the country might remain, no addi-
tional laborers should be admitted, and
those who came in violation Of the law
might be deported. In 1900 the Chinese
population numbered only 119,050. Not
withstanding this insignificant In
crease, there are certain western states
men who are not satisfied with the Sit
uation, and who desire to go beyond
the Geary law, and make the condi-
tions of Chinese immigration still more
intolerable, excluding even students
and the agents Of mercantile houses,
their object being to prevent all posi-
bility Of evasion Of the law. While the
Geary law has been accepted in good
faith by the Chinese government, that
government Is beginning to grow Of
Tended at the proposed additional re-
strictions and is disposed to protest
against them. If these restrictions are
imposed there is reason to believe that
China will take such steps as may lay
in her power to retaliate, and this re-
taliation is promised at the expense OF
the growing commerce between China
and this country. The western part
of the United States Is not at all unan-
imous as to the wisdom of the pro-
posed new law, or as to the necessity
for It. Many northern and eastern SEN
ators deem it unwise and impolitic. and
the more intelligent cotton manufac-
turers of the south view the PROPOSE
ton with anxious concern. One Of the
strongest speeches against disturbing
the status quo was that delivered nv
Senator McLaurin on last Monday.
The senator spoke in part as follows:
For South Carolina.
speaking for South Carolina, Mr..
President, I may safely say that South
Carolina demands first Of all that this
country shall do it's duty on a question
of honor-that 1t shall maintain its
integrity in the fulfillment Of it's treaty
obligations: and, next. that this coun-
try shall so legislate as to secure fair
play for all it's sections and all its cit
liens alike-for rich and poor, for the
laborers on the Pacific coast and also
for the labors on the Atlantic coast,
for the miners of California and also
for the mill workers Of South Carolina.
Aye, fair play, too, for the governments
and respectable citizens of all foreign
nations as well, including China. South
Carolina does not want contract labor
or coolie labor, in this country, and
would not tolerate it. Nobody wants
it. 1t is out of the question-out of the
calculation altogether. 1t will not be
had under the present law or under the
proposed law or under any other law,
past present or future. But fair play
we ought to have and must have for all
respectable labor. for all respectable
business men and enterprises, and for
all respectable governments under the
sun.
Nov, is 1t fair play to the people of
the south, just as they are beginning to
prosper in manufacturing and CONNER
cial enterprises, after long years of
trouble and privation, to tear down
and crush their new enterprises, on
the assumption that such ruinous
policy is necessary in order to keep out