Notwithstanding the Six Companies have thus defied the United States and refused to comply with the law. there are those who gravely propose to repeal it. Others suggest an extension of the time for registration. To repeal a law reasonable in itself. and necessary as the provision for the registration of Chinese laborers is to enable the Government to administer the Chinese exclusion act. because a class of aliens in this country refuse to obey it. would be an extraordinary proceeding. and. in my judgment. inconsistent with national dignity. If the Chinese Government should represent to this Government that the Chinese laborers had been prevented by the Six Companies from applying for certificates. were now desirous of complying with the law and ask an extension of time. while such a favor would not be deserved. there would be no insuperable objection to giving another opportunity for registration. As the deportation or Chinese laborers entitled to remain in the United States was not the object of the law. but a penalty only for refusal to register. an extension of time under such circumstances would not be inconsistent with the general purposes of the law. While I believe the welfare of this country requires that the further importation of Chinese coolies into this country should be absolutely prohibited. I should have much preferred thatlaws for the purpose should always have been passed in pursuance of treaty stipulations. I regret that it has been thought necessary to abrogate in part a treaty by an act of Congress.
Keywords matched
deportation Chinese exclusion coolies