Chinese Indemnity Speech of John H. Mitchell in the United States Senate, June 1St and 3Rd, 1886 (Classic Reprint)

Senate proceed to the consideration of the bill. At the same time, if the bill is likely to take time I shall not undertake to press it to a vote to-day. Mr. HOAR. How about the injuries done to Chinese in Washington Territory? Mr. SHERMAN. The Senator from Massachusetts asks me about the injuries done to Chinese in Washington Territory. As I understand, the authorities in Washington Territory summarily and promptly put down the mob there, and there were no real damages done, although lives were, threatened. Mr. HOAR. There is no claim from China on that account? Mr. SHERMAN. There is no claim from China in regard to that affair. The only claim made by the Chinese Government is this claim, and the committee have responded to it by a bill placing it in the power of the Secretary of State to pay such of these damages as he finds after a careful examination have actually been suffered by these people, and to turn the amount, whatever it is, over to the Chinese Government for distribution among the sufferers. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the bill. Mr. MITCHELL, of Oregon. Mr. President The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion, under the rules, is not debatable. The Senator from Ohio moves that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the bill (S. 2225) to indemnity certain subjects of the Chinese Empire for losses sustained by the violence of a mob at Rock Springs, in the Territory of Wyoming, in September, 1885. Mr. PLUMB. Will that not lead to debate? Mr. SHERMAN. If it does I will give way. Mr. PLUMB. I have no objection to debate, except that I do not wish it to displace the pending special order, Senate bill 1812, to provide for taxation of railroad-grant lands. Mr. SHERMAN. The Senator from Oregon tells me that he will insist upon making a speech upon the subject. I do think when the Senate have substantially by a large vote agreed tha
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)