Speech #510028586

I intended to say the treaty negotiated in 1888 was not ratified by the Chinese Government. but that was not because of any exception taken to the provisions of the statute which was passed to enforce it. The objection raised by the Chinese Government. it was understood. was to a provision of the treaty proposed by the Senate with respect to exclusion which was not clear or satisfactory as originally framed. Congress upon the failure or refusal of t the Chinese Government to ratify that treaty passed. as we know. the Scott exclusion act. which prohibits the return of Chinese people who departed from the United States and claimed the right to return by reason of prior residence. whether holding return certificates or not. The act of 1882. as amended in 1884 and amended again by the Scott exclusion act in 1888. prohibits the immigration of Chinese laborers for the period of ten years. or perhaps indefinitely. as these statutes may be hereafter construed. The present bill provides a method for executing more effectually and economically that exclusion.