Speech #470031713

The provisions of this bill in the first section are: That from and after the expiration of sixty days next after the passag" of this act. and until the expiation of twenty years next after the passage of this act. the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be. and the same is horeby. sspended. In my judgment this legislation is in accordance and pursuance of the treaty that has been made between these two parties. anti it is necessary. it appears to me. that if this proposed legislation is adopted information as to its terms should be coniunicated thrlough the State Department to the Government of China. and the time when the limitation should commence should be fixed at a period of sixty days after information of the passage of this law shall have been communicated to the Government of China. I am also very much in doubt whether the period prescribed of sixty days would suffice to permit immigrants who had left China lawfully under the provisions of existing treaties and laws to reach the ports of the United States. and they might thereafter. if this is insisted upon. be landed upon the shores of California and subject to the penalties imposed by this act. which are very severe.