The Pacific Coast Rises Against Federal Chinese Policy
Washington's congressional delegation leads a fierce backlash against a new federal treaty that critics fear undermines the Geary Act's restrictive immigration laws.
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Washington City, March 23.—Some surprise is manifested in administration circles at the opposition that has already developed to the new Chinese treaty. The new treaty is the outcome of months of patient work and skillful negotiating, and it was hoped that the state department had succeeded at last in settling in a manner entirely satisfactory the question of regulating Chinese immigration. For nearly ten years this subject has been a source of trouble, and the public has surely appreciated the danger to which the country has been exposed of a total severance of the friendly relations with China. However, the Pacific delegation in Congress is eagerly discussing its terms. Representative Bowers of California said: 'This treaty is a part of the general sympathy of the present administration with the Chinese. The theory of the Geary law was sharply restrictive, and the theory of this treaty is to nullify the restrictions.' Representative Wilson of Washington state said: 'After battling for years for an adequate restriction law, the present administration has overridden the law and has not only gone into the business of aiding the Chinese to invade my state, but has also made contracts with British coal firms across the border from my state and in competition with our people.' Representative Ellis of Oregon said: 'The reported abandonment of photographic identification will take away one of the vital means of restriction. It will be a serious blow to the Pacific coast.'
“After battling for years for an adequate restriction law, the present administration has overridden the law and has not only gone into the business of aiding the Chinese to invade my state.”
This article highlights the long-standing tension between Washington State's restrictive local political climate and federal diplomatic efforts. The rhetoric concerning immigration and the protection of local labor remains a recurring, if evolving, theme in Seattle's political discourse over the last century.
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