The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-05
CHINESE EXCLUSION
SENATE BEGINS CONSIDERATION
OF THE MEASURE.
TO KEEP OUT ALL LABoRERS.
MERCHANTS, TRAVELLERS AND Of
FICIALS MAY COME IN.

Mr.. Mitchell of Oregon Urges the
Bill as ina Keeping With an Estab-
Iished American POIicy-Mr. Quay
offered an Amendment to Let in
All Christians and All Chinese
Who Assisted the Foreigners at
Pekin, But 1t Was Not Accepted,
Hoped 1t Would Chrfstianize En-
tire Empire, Said Quay.
Washington, April 4.--The Senate to-
day began the consideration of what is
clusion bill. Mr.. Mitchell of Oregon
delivered the opening speech. He point
ed out forcefully the necessity for the
exclusion of Chinese laborers and care
fully analysed the provisions of the
measure which had been presented by
the committee. He said it had been
constructed on the basis of existing
law, in the light of experience and of
the decisions of the courts. While its
provisions were drastic, the bill, in
some respects, was more liberal than
the Geary act.
AhAs NAiANhNiiy III bN6iIIlihS, SaAA Nitcil
the policy of Chinese exclusion had be-
come one of the great policies of this
country, acquiesced in by all political
parties and as firmly fixed as the Mon
roe 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
noxiouS infection of those institutions
which constitute American civilization.
No radical departure was proposed
from the statutes now in operation, the
bill being a virtual codification of the
existing laws and regulations concern
ing the admission to this country of
Chinese persons. The aim of the franz
ers was carefully to avoid anything
which might give just cause for offense
to the Chinese empire. Every Chinese
person shall be deemed a laborer, with
in the meaning of the bill, who is not
an official, a teacher, a student, mer-
chant, or a traveller for curiosity or
pleasure.
Mr.. Mitchell said that no one could
question successfully the authority of
Congress to establish and enforce all
necessary rules which would operate
as a statutory safeguard against fraud
and which would test properly the good
| faith of Chinese persons claiming to
belong to one or another of the eSe-
| empted classes.
I Mr.. Mitchell expressed belief that the
| constitutionality of the proposed meas
ure could not be challenged successful
ly. He said China had not regarded
such a policy on the part of the United.
States as hostile to the empire of China.
To Save Us From the Asintic-
Further along, Mr.. Mitchell said that
the proposed legislation is a grand
step in the direction of freeing our
people and our institutions from the
| corrupting and corroding influences of
pauper labor, and those virulent and
destructive vices so inseparably con-
nected with the lower classes of Aslatic
serfdom, and whose poisonous virus,
if permitted to permeate our body poll
tic, would inevitably lead to lament
able blight, pitiable decay and ulti-
mate destruction.
In conclusion, Mr.. Mitchell warned
the Republicans of the Senate that If
| they failed to pass the proposed bill,
which had been agreed upon by non
partisan commission. and insisted on
forcing the passage of statute
(which is Inadequate and inefficient,
then, at the coming election, look out
for such a-vote of condemnation of the
| Republican party on the Pacific coast
as you not have heard since the over
throw of the Republican party in
| 1884"
The reading of the Chinese exclusion
bill was then begun and various COM
mittee amendments and amendments
in phraseology were agreed to.
sir. Quay's Amendment.
During the reading OF the measure
Mr. Quay gave notice of the following
amendment as an additional section;
THAT nothing herein contained shall
be construed to exclude Chinese Chris
tians or Chinese who assisted in the
defense or relief of the foreign lega-
lions or the Pe-Tang Cathedral, in
the city OF Pekln, in the year 1900"
Mr.. Penrose, in charge of the meas
ure, said he could not accept the
amendment, as not a member of the
immigration Committee was in favor
of II.
How many Chinese will that amend
ment let in? inquired Mr.. Mitchell.
81 hope it would have the effect,
replied Mr.. Quay, "of Outstanding
the entire Chinese Empire"
at would let in at least a million"
suggested Mr.. Mitchell.
"Quite likely $50 100000" interjected
Mr.. Hale.
without concluding the reading of
the bill the Senate at 5:15 p. m, went
into executive session, and at 5:1S p.
m adjourned