Speech #500020333

Mr. President. I favor the adoption of the resolution. not because I think there is any necessity for putting the Senate in action in the effort to hasten anything in the way of negotiation with China. but because it is an expression of opinion on the part of the Senate which I understand corresponds with the opinion and senti: ment of the people of the Pacific coast and with an evident need now developed. through several years of painful experience. for the restrictions of the privileges of immigration by the Chinese into this country. I concurred in the reporting of the resolution to the Senate. and I feel that it is due to the present Administration to say that I have information which Vmay consider as autlentic that the Government is proceeding with all proper diligence for the purpose of negotiating a treaty with China which is expected practically to reach the result stated in the resolution. The resolution of the Senator from Nevada was before the Committee on Foreign Relations. but the committee were not quite willing to accept it. I suppose that was reported back adversely. but the substance of it is embodied in the pending resolution. which I hope will be entirely satisfactory to all concerned. because this resolution goes to the pith of the whole subject. It goes to the proposition that it is the duty of the Government of the United States to conduct further negotiations with China to get out of our way those treaty restrictions which prevent us from legislating to prohibit Chinese laborers from immigrating to this country with a view to settlement or with a view to hospitality.. I do not believe that there is any absolute necessity for the passage of the resolution. yet I think itis very well that the Senate should express its opinion upon this question. if the opinion of the Senate concurs with that of the committee. because perhaps it will strengthen the hands of the Government in endeavoring to bring about an arrangement with China. which must be the eventual result of our dealing with the subiect of Chinese immigration. We have tried restrictions in almost every form that has been heretofore possible. and we have not succeeded in keeping out the Chinese laborer. .It appears from all accounts that by one arrangement and another. and by the evasion of our laws. the body of Chinese immigration into the United States is increasing. I have always opposed the immigration of Chinese to this country for the purposes of settlement. I think that it is contrary to the settled policy of the Government of the United States that the people of any of the Oriental nations should be either invited or permitted to come here in large masses for the purpose of mingling with those heretofore imported from Oriental countries. who have proved a fruitful source of controversy and trouble to the people of the United States ever since the first negro was set upon the shores of America. I do not wish to see that body of Orientals increased. whether they come from the Chinese coast or from Hindostan. or where they come from. I think there ought to be some place in the United States where an American. can feel at home. and there are not very many of them now. I do not object to the immigration of good people from foreign countries who bring with them intelligence and means and capacity for improving society and cultivating the soil and developing our resources. but as to those men who come here for the mere purpose of living upon us and speculating upon the earnings of our fathers. earninos that have been harvested with blood as well as with money and toil. I object to distributing that out into the hands of any foreign countries. especially of the lower classes. I think it is time that we had engaged in making some reservations of our public domain and of the privileges and facilities and benefits of this liberal Government of ours for the people of the United States and their posterity.