Speech #500090325

I find in one of the San Francisco papers a copy of a letter from Judge Hoffman to Representative FELTON. of California. dated January 10. 1888. which so forcibly presents the situation that I will present it in full. The letter is as follows: "SANe FRANCISCO. January 10.1888. "I y DEAR FcLTO: The newspapers announce that you have introduced a bill for the abrogation of the treaty stipulations with China respecting Chinese immigration. You know the temper of Congress better than I do. but I have serious misgivings as to your ability to induce it to pass an act in open and avowed violation of the Burlingame and Swift treaties. It is surely not good statesmanship to forego what is practicable and attainable by attempting what may be desirable but in fact is unattainable. "It is of paramount and indispensable importance that something should be done to relieve the courts of the intolerable nuisance and obstruction to their regular business caused by the Chinese cases.