Chinese person or persons. whether subjects of the Chinese Empire or otherwise. as welt as those who are now within the limits of the United States. and who may hereafter leave the United StatesThat is. if a Chinese person goes beyond the limits of the United States and wants to come back again. whatever may be the motive that led him away. if he comes back againand who may hereafter leave the United States and attempt to return as those who have never been here. or. having been here. have departed from the United States (save and excepting only the following classes. that is to sayHere are the exceptionsbut before reading the exceptions I will read the language throughhave departed from the United States (save and excepting only the following classes. that is to say: Such Chinese person or persons as may be duly accredited to the Government of the United States as ministers plenipotentiary or other diplomaticrepresentatives. consuls general. consular and commercial agents. including otherofficers of the Chinese or other governments traveling upon the business of that Government. with their body and household servants). to come to or within. or to land at any port or p lace within the United States. and the coming of Chinese persons t t he United States. whether for the purpose of transit only or otherwise. excepting the classes hereinbefore specifically described and excepted from and after the passage of this act be. and the same is hereby. absolutely prohibited. Mr. President. the former law went upon the idea that the Chinese laborers. the Coolies. this degraded class of population should be excluded from the United States. It was difficilt. I remember. when those laws were being passed to describe precisely the character of such Chinese as we wished to exclude. but it was then admitted and it is conceded on all hands that among the Chinese. as among other peoples. there are persons of education and standing. great merchants. dealers in large transactions. men whose commerce is of immense value to our country. honest producers. as well as the floating class which naturally come first into the United States.