Speech #500108082

The Republican party not only prevented legislation on this subject as long as they had the power to do so. but when unable to longer suppress ita large majority of them voted against the proposed legislation. and. when defeated in Congress. the veto of the President was used as a last resort. The administration. in the fall of 1880. realized that something must be done. that public sentiment would no longer tolerate inaction. A new treaty was negotiated with China. or. more properly. the Burlinaame treaty was modified so that the Government of the United States might regulate. limit. or suspend for a reasonable period the immigration of Chinese laborers. Under this treaty. made on the 17th of September. 1880. we reacquired the power to limit or suspend the immigration of Chinese laborers for a reasonable period of time. General Harrison became a member of the Senate on the 4th of March. 1881. The objections that had been urged against the bill in the prior Congress. namely. that it contravened our treaty stipulations. if there was the least excuse for them. did not. in the remotest degree. lie against a bill regulating. limiting. or suspending the immigration of Chinese laborers after the ratification of the new treaty. In conformity with the provisions of the modified treaty. Senator Miller. of California. introduced a bill . the first section of which was as follows: That fron ind after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act and until tile expiration of twenty years next after the passage ot this act. the coining of Chinese laborers into the United States be. and the same is hereby. suspended. and during such suspension it. shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come or having so come after the expiration of ninety days to remain within the United States.