Speech #710085806

He was of high spirit and distinguished bearing. such that his presence would attract favorable attention in any company. The most notable service of Mr. Geary in Congress was his authorship and support of the Chinese exclusion act. No act of Congress during the last 60 years more vitally affected or deeply stirred the State of California than this measure. known as the Geary Exclusion Act. At the time of its passage the name of its author was on every tongue in the West. The subject had headlines in every paper in the United States and was a matter of comment throughout the civilized world. particularly in governmental circles. Had the exclusion legislation failed and no restrictions been passed up to this time. there is little doubt but that the oriental population on the Pacific coast would now exceed the white population. A bitterness accompanied the agitation. but the exclusion act was not enacted as an expression of hate nor as a reflection on the virtues of the Chinese. The desire of the Chinese to come to California was natural and commendable. The Pacific coast was faced with one of those great situations in which the domestic population was forced to restriction measures In order to preserve the supremacy of their own people in their own land. As history has developed the facts. the exclusion act paved the way for greater harmony between this Nation and China. Mr. Gearys part in securing the adoption of that notable policy gave him an enduring place in the history of California and in national legislation.