Speech #570042085

But leaving that subject. I desire to call the attention of the Senate to some of the specific provisions of the bill. and. first. to a provision found at the bottom of page 27. It reads as follows: But the CommissionerGeneral of Immigration. with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. may at any time suspend the privilege of transit in any case or in all cases where the transit is sought by laborers coming from any insular territory of the United States. When we look at another section in this bill for a definition. we find that the term "laborers" covers every person who is not an official. a teacher. a student. a merchant. a traveler for curiosity or pleasure. The treaty of 1894 contains this clause: It is also agreed that Chinese laborers shall continue to enicy the privilege of transit across the territory of the United States in the course of their journey to or from other countries. subject to such regulations by the Government of the United States as may be necessary to prevent said privilege of transit from being abused.