The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-06

III became OBVIOUS IN 1871 lHdt the IA
cihc coast was Ia danger Of invasion from
the densely populated empire Of China. and
our government was Obliged TO deal Win
the subject Of exclusion. and the treaty OF
1870 was agreed TO. restricting the admission
OF Chinese labOrcrs. This change IN pOicy
was dictated purely in the interest OF
American labor and American citizenship.
The Chinese were so unlike our own people
in tradition. in religion. I'm habits and GUS
toms. that they would not assimilate with
Us. and their admission IN such vast and
increasing numbers became a great men
ace, and was deemed unwise.
TREATY NECESSARY.
1T was perfectly evident that the unre-
stricted admission Of Chinese labor would
inevitably result in a serious inundation Of
the labor markets. and the inevitable tend
ency would be 10 depress unduly the wages
OF American labor. The necessity for the
treaty OF 1850 was declared in the preamble:
Whereas. The government Of the United
States. because OF the constantly increas-
ing immigration OF Chinese labOrers TO the
territory OF the United States. and the en-
barrassments consequent upon such immi-
grafton, now desires TO negotiate a modih-
cation OF the existing treaties Which shall
not be in direct contravention OF their
spirit
The first article Of the treaty was as fol-
lows: Whenever. in the opinion of the gov
eminent Of the United Staes, the coming
OF Chinese labOrers to the United States, or
their residence therein, affects or threatens
10 affect the interests of that country, or 10
endanger the good order Of the said coun-
try or of any locality within the territory
thereof. the government of China agrees
that the government OF the United States
may regulate, limit. or suspend such com
ing or residence, but may not absolutely
prohibit it
"On April 4. 1852, President Arthur, in re-
turning to Congress a bin with respect to
Chinese exclusion with his veto. because he
| believed the measure to be ViOlatiVe Of the
national faith. among other things, said:
our Intercourse with China is OF recent
date. our first treaty with that power is
not yet forty years old. 1t is only since we
/ acquired California and established a great
seat Of Ommerc on the Pacific that we
may be said TO have broken down the bar
riers which fenced in that ancient mon
archy- The Burlingame treaty naturally
This treaty. it will be remembered. was
concluded July ., 1868. and proclaimed
Feb. 3. 1870. Under the spirit which inspired
il many thousand Chinese laborers came TO
the United States. No one can say that the
country has not prOhted by their work.
They were largely instrumental in con-
structtng the railways which connect the
Atlantic with the Pacific. The States of the
Pacific slope are full of evidences OF their
Industry. Enterprises, profitable alike to the
capitalist and TO the labOrer of Caucasian
origin, would have lain dormant but for
them. A time has now come when it is sup
/ posed that hey are not needed, and when
IL IS thought by Congress and by those most
acquainted with the subject that it is best
TO try and get along without them. There
may, however, be other sections of the
country where this species Of labor may be
adVantageously employed without Interior
ing with the labOrs of our own race. In
making the proposed experiment il may be
the part Of wisdom. as well as of good faith,
to fix the length Of the experimental period
with reference TO this fact
"In 1894 the friction between our own citi-
zens and Chinese labOrers became so acute
that a further modification of our treaty
relations was deemed essential. The Chi
nese government expressed a desire, i'm view
Of the ~'antagonism and much deprecated
disorders to which the presence of Chinese
laborers has given rise in certain parts of
the United States. . = . TO prohibit the
emigration Of such laborers from China to
the United States
PROVISIONS OF II TREATY.
"The provisions of the treaty for the ex-
clusion of Chinese labOrers are as follows:
Article 1.-The high contracting parties
agree that for a period of ten years. begin
ming with the date of the exchange of the
notifications Of this convention, the coming.
except under the conditions hereinafter
specified. of Chinese laborers to the United
States shall be absolutely prohibited.
Article 1.-THE preceding article shall
not apply to the return TO the United States
of any registered Chinese labOrer who nas
a lawful wife, child or parent in the United
States. or property therein of the value OF
$1,000, or debts of like amount due him and
pending settlement. Nevertheless every
such Chinese laborer shall. before leaving
the United States, deposit, as a condition of
his return. with the collector of customs OF
the district from which he departs, a full
description in writing of his family, OF
property, or debts, as aforesaid, and shall
be furnished by said collector with such
certificate of his right to return under this
treaty as the laws of the United States
may now or hereafter prescribe and not in
consistent with the provisions of this
treaty; and should the written description
aforesaid be proved to be false, the right OF
return hereunder, or of continued residence
after return, shall in each case be for
Ielted. AnG such RICH of return to the
United States shall be exercised within one
year from the date of leaving the United
States; but such right TO return to the
United States may be extended for an addi-
tiOnal period, not to exceed one year. in
cases where, by reason of sicknes or other
cause of disability beyond his control. such
Chinese laborer shall be rendered unable
sooner TO return, which facts shall be fully
reported TO the Chinese consul at the port
OF departure, and by him certified, to the
satisfaction of the collector of the port al
which such Chinese subject shall land in
the United States. And no such Chinese la
6orer shall be permitted to enter the United
states by land or sea without producing tC
the proper officer OF the customs the re-
turn certificate herein required
1T was further provided that-'The no
visions OF this convention shall not affect
the right at present enjoyed of Chin
subjects, being officials. teachers. stuCeuts
merchants, or travellers for curiosity o.
pleasure, but not labOrers, of coming to II.
United States and residing therein
PENDING MEASURE CODIFICATION.
1.-The pending measure is. in effect, a codi-
f~cation of existing laws and the rules anc
regulations which have been promulgated
by the Treasury Department to carry such
laws into effect. The rules and regulations
have been suggested by experience in the
enforcement of the exclusion laws. They
have been found necessary to give the laws
erect, ana TO prevent the ingenious anC
systematic efforts which have been made
continually to evade them. The executive
department. has experienced great difficulty
IN RECOMMENDING the efforts which have
Deen Systematically made TO secure the ad'
mission of prohibited classes. Organization
have been and are now maintained in China
and the United States for the purpose OF
securing the admission of Chinese through
our ports contrary TO the letter and spirit
or the law. Fraud and bribery have beer
employed in every conceivable form Il
evade the law and the rules and regulations
issued by the Treasury Department, anC
the vigilance of our officials has failed e
exclude all that should have been debarred
The vast extent of our boundary line alone
the Canadian and Mexican borders. and the
large profit TO be made by the successful
admission of the excluded classes, makes il
exceedingly difficult for our officers to eX
clude all who should be denied admission.
1t was made apparent to the committee
that agencies are now established which
undertake, for a consideration OF from $20t
10 500 per capita, to secure entrance into
the United States Of Chinese who are with
in the prohibitions of the law. These rici
Inducements make it necessary. in order
that the policy of the United States witt
effective, that the laws should be carefully
framed and made TO meet the requirements