Speech #590017084

I believe it is an effort to break down the eightbout law. but let that be as it may. I am a good deal interested in another feature of this performance. It was stated here on the floor of the House this morning that the Secretary of War had suggested that the restrictions as to the exclusion of Chinese coolies be removed as to the Canal Zone I had somewhat to do with the passage of that Chinese bill through this House. and the truth about it is if I could have gotten certain persons to stand up to me in another place than this we would have forced on the statute books of this country the Chineseexclusion act as it went through. this House. a much more stringent measure than the present law. but I want to read you tne phraseology of the present lawjust a little of it.. I am not going to read it all: That all laws now in force prohibiting and regulating the coming of Chincee persons. and persons of Chinese descent. into the United States. and the residence of such persons therein. including secttons 5. 0. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. and 14 of the act entitled "An. act to prohibit the coming of Chinese laborers Into the United States." approved September 13. 1888. be. and the same are hereby. reenacted. extended. and continued so far as the. same are not Inconsistent with treaty obligations. until otherwise provided by law. and said laws shall also apply to the island territory under the jurisdiction of the United States. and prohibit the Immigration of Chinese laborers. not citizens of the United States. from sucb island. territory to the mainland territory of the United States. whether in such island territory at the time of cession or not. and from one portion of the island territory of the United States to another portion of said: island territory. Well. now. it is a good while since I studied geography. The Republicans have broken down the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. but I have never understood that they had gone into the dictionarymaking business. and according to the old geographies this Canal Zone is not an. island territory. but it is an isthmiiin territory. If the Secretary of War. has asked that the restrictions as to the Chinese be taken off as to this Canal Zone. as was stated here a while ago. then it is apparent that this amendment is part and parcel of that same scheme I do not propose. as far as I am concerned. to have the white laborers of the United States brought into competition with the Chinese coolies. And out of an abundance of caution I intend to introduce here. just as quickly as I can prepare it. a bill to apply the Chineseexclusion act to the Isthmus of Panama and the Canal Zone. and. while I am at it. make it extend to Japanese and Korean coolies too. for coolies all look alike to me. We might as well be honest about it. If certain people want this canal built by Chinese coolies. let them get up here and say so without any beating about the bush. But if they do not want it done. they will vote for that bill I intend to introduce here just as quickly as I can write it.