Before the vote is taken I simply wish to remark that I do not desire to see the naturalization of Chinese in this country. but I am not satisfied that under the treaties as they now exist we have a right to refuse to naturalize them while we naturalize other foreigners. There are sone Chinese who are now here who are intelligent people. and some of them are assimilating with us. some of them are members of churches. soen of them are Christian men. There are some of them who would make good citizens. For the present. therefore. I should be unwilling to say. without fnrther investigation upon that point. that there was no case where a Chinaman coul properly become a citizen of the United States. If we can get rid of the treaty obligations honorably. or rather if we are not bound by treaty stipulation that would prohibit us from excluding them from naturalization while we admit other foreigners. and if the naturalization conies to a point where it becomes at all serious. Congress can interfere and enact a positive statute on this question. For the present bill. and in the present state of things under the treaties. I am not prepared to vote for the entire exclusion of Chinese from naturalization.
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