Speech #480052745

I would concede. to begin with. that the gentleman himself was better prepared to advise upon that subject than myself. I think. therefore. that itis no egotism on my part to say that I am better posted on the Chinese question than. he is. Now. my colleague stated that in a vote a few years ago upon this question. a direct vote. a few hundred men against 150.000 voted in favor of this Chinese immigration. I want to add that in 1878 there was a constitutional convention held in California. which was composed of one hundred and fiftytwo members. I had th honor of being a member of that convention. and they were elected upon a nonpartisan ticket. They were composed largely of nonpartisans. There .was no polities in it. none entered into the construction of that convention. they were chosen one Democrat and one Republican. And that convention memorialized Congress upon that subject. land out of one hundred and fiftytwo men in that convention only one man was found to vote in favor of Chinese immigration. The Republicans of that constitutional convention--such men as Judge McShafter. a New Englander by birth. and I presume reared in the same political faith as the gentleman from Massachusettsled in the debates. utrging that memorial to be sent on to Congress. And I think if the gentleman from Massachusetts had resided for a few years in California he would see cause to change his opinion in relation to this matter.