Speech #570039319

With a supreme contempt for our judicial system and with a duplicity that is almost unparalleled among the nations of the earth. hordes of Chinese laborers did not hesitate to swear themselves into the country as former residents. and the acts of Congress. which the people of the Pacific coast had hailed with joy and expectancy. were soon found to have turned out "Dead Sea fruit." The invasion of the cooly laborer was not arrested. He migrated to our shores in practically undiminished minbers. The suspension of immigration was found to be no remedy for the evil. and so the Administration at that time negotiated a new treaty with China. which was intended to give our Government the right to absolutely prohibit the coming of Chinese laborers into the United States for a limited period. Believing that this treaty would be ratified by China. Congress passed an act. approved September 13. 1888. which was to go into effect upon the ratification of the said treaty. and shortly after. on October 1. 1888. the socalled Scott Act. which was intended to cure many of the defects of earlier legislation and which was supplementary thereto. became the law of the land.