The ninth section of the first article of the Constitution provides: The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now exlsting shall think proper to admit shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year 1808. � That implies that. Congress not exercising its authority-. the States may prohibit the migration or importation of such persons as they see fit. certainly being supervised by the paramount authority of Congress. if it sees fit to require them to be admitted. But why is it not adequate to all these purposes of prohibition of this evil upon the Pacific coast. that a treaty should be made recognizing the right and power of the States to prohibit absolutely. if they see fit to do so. by a majority of their people. in their State legislation or their constitution. the admission of these immigrants? I apprehend that the Chinese people. the Emperor of China. andthe public authorities of that Empire would not object to a proposition of that kind. that the local State government being unfriendly to their admission. the treaty should provide that they should not be admitted into such a State. Are we to be told that there are no systems of registration. of police inspection. or of the execution of the laws known to the States by which aChinaman coming into aState can be identified. recognized .removed. and. if necessary. extradited?
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immigrants