Speaker. we are told that the restriction of twenty years is too long. Sir. that is a matter of discretion for us. By this bill we do not absolutely prohibit Chinese immigration. but we say that this population which has worked such detriment to the laboring interests of this country. which has so disturbed its peace. which now constitutes onethird of the male adult population of the Pacific coast. shall stand where it is for the period of twenty years. We mean to make clear our purpose. and if at the expiration of that time public sentiment on this question shall have changed. if this population shall have disappeared in part. (for it cannot be expected it can do so entirely.) then we will take up the question from a new standpoint. But we want to say to the generation of today in California. "As to you. we propose to suspend this incursion and stop this excitement in your midst." Sir. 1 am afraid that gentlemen who propose to make the time shorter. who want a limitation of only three or five or ten years. desire to have this question come up again at a time when the conditions of that coast may be such that it cannot make the potent demand that it can today.
Keywords matched
immigration