Speech #700092974

I ain in favor of this amendment for reasons that have not yet been completely discussed. Theoretically the law prevents an oriental from coming ashore in an American port and makes it practically impossible to substitute another oriental wishing to return to his country and leave a younger man who has come on the ship as a steward or otherwise to remain in this country. I have. however. gotten away from the theory of what the law is down to what is the practical situation. and this situation. as I learn it from the office of the Commissioner of Immigration. is that a very large number. a very considerable numher. of orientals are coming continually into this country by that means. Just within the last week in New York City a taxicab was held and there were found to be five Chinamen who were being sent as substitutes to a ship in the place of five younger Chinamen who had come in the capacity of stewards and who were remaining in this country. It is true that we can require a $500 bond from the ship company. to prevent that sort of thing. but if a young Chdnanan comes here two. three. or four times as a steward they must have some cause before they refuse him permission to go ashore.