Speech #470051729

I hold in my hand. Mr. Speaker. a petition signed by a number of leading business men and manufacturers of the city of New York. in relation to Chinese immigration. which I ask to have printed in the RECORD. This petition is signed by 250 of the best and wealthiest citizens of New York. able and intelligent men. who in the campaign of 1880 voted for the Republican or Democratic candidate for President. Those who voted for the Republican candidate indorsed. in the sixth plank of the Republican platform. the following words: Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and the treatymaking power. the le publican party. regarding the unrestricted immigration of Chinese as a matter of grave concernment under the exercise of both these powers. would limit and restrictthat immigration by the enactment of such just. humans. and reasonable laws and treaties as will produce that result. And those who voted for the Democratic candidate indorsed. in the eleventh plank of their platform. the following words: Amendment of the Burlingame treaty. No more Chinese immigration. except for travel. education. and foreign commerce. and therein carefully guarded. I believe in the right of petition. but I am in favor of legislation on theChinese question that will limit and suspend immigration according to the provisions of our treaty with China. In my judgment tire is not much danger of legislation in this Congress upon the subject. President Hayes vetoed a bill intended to restrict this immigration. and President Arthur has also vetoed one of a similar character. I do not look for further legislation upon the subject until a Democratic House and a Democratic administration are in power.