Speech #510041465

I know of no Senator on the Pacific coast or anywhere else. nor any portion of any community in that part of the country. who have any disposition to treat those who are lawfully here. whether as laborers or otherwise. in any other manner than he or they would treat any other people who are here rightfully from any other part of the globe. so far as that is concerned. I believe the Chinese lawfully here should be protected in their rights of life. liberty. and property. There is no disposition to oppress them or deprive them of a single right to which they are entitled under the Constitution and the laws. but we do believe and I think ninetenths. yes. ninetynineonehundredths of the people of the Pacific coast believe that there ought to be an absolute exclusion act passed which would prohibit from now on the coming to this country of Chinese laborers. and not only Chinese laborers. but Chinese of every class. except. perhaps. diplomatic and consular officers. Some would make one or two other exceptions in favor of travelers. teachers. etc.. but I would make but one exception. and I have introduced bills here time and time again upon that question. and there is a bill introduced by me the present session now before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations looking to that purpose.