Speech #630135636

I stated yesterday the position I tried to occupy before the House in regard to the two billsthe Burnett bill. H. R. 6060. and House bill 102which relates to exclusion entirely and the registration of all Asiatic laborers. There was an understanding in the committee that those should come on separate bills. which I believe should be done. The proposition of legislating on the Asiatic exclusion is now presented to the House. I want to say to the Democrats in this House that I would rather send my resignation to the Speaker and go home. than I would to go and explain to my constituents. whom I promised in writing that I would vote for the exclusion of all Asiatics. and whom I promised that I would not let such legislation lie in the pigeonhole 8 or 10 years. and pretend to do something. I promised them I would be on the job in season and out of season to obtain such legislation. All Asiatic laborers must be excluded. In .90S I had the pleasure of going to the Denver convention that nominated the present Secretary of State for President. and I appeared before the committee on platform and had inserted as one of the principles that we were in favor of excluding Asiatic laborers. I want to call your attention to a statement that I am going to have inserted in the RECORD. Upon one side of this card in large letters is "Wilson and the Japanese." and upon the other side is "Roosevelt and the Japanese." I am going to read to you what is on the side headed "Wilson and the Japanese" on May 3. 1912. This is quoted: In the matter of Chinese and Japanese coolie immigration. I stand for the national policy of exclusion. The whole question is one of assimilation of diverse races.