Speech #500105524

A quibble like this is unfair. and would not be attempted for other than partisan purposes. General Harrison voted against the first bill because the Farley and Grover amendments were incorporated therein. and because it provided for exclusion of Chinese laborers for the period of twenty years. The bill was vetoed by President Arthur because he regarded twenty years exclusion in violation of the treaty which allowed the United States to regulate and restict Chinese immigration. but prohibited absolute exclusion. He also voted against the passage of the bill over the veto of the President for the same reason that induced him to vote against the bill on its passage by the Senate. The bill introduced by Mr. Page. a Republican. from California. in the House. prohibiting Chinese immigration for a period of ten years. was immediately thereafter taken up by the Senate. passed. and approved by the President. General Harrison also voted against this bill solely on the ground that the Grover and Farley amendments were incorporated therein. and because he wanted a better bill and one in exact conformity with the treaty. to which no objection could be made. and not because he was opposed to carrying out the treaty in good faith and excluding Chinese. When the bill of 1884 was passed General Harrison was absent. was not paired. and had no opportunity to participate in the passage of the bill.