Chinese Exclusion Renewal Debate

This is a transcript of the House of Representatives debate about extending and amending Chinese Exclusion in 1892.

Representative Thomas Geary from California, for whom the Geary Act of 1892 that extended Chinese Exclusion is named, proposed adding several sections to the Chinese Exclusion law, including the requirement that Chinese laborers register for and carry identification certificates. Although the vote on the issue was overwhelmingly in favor, two representatives criticized the changes that treated the Chinese like "dogs". They also argued that Chinese Exclusion violated the U.S.'s treaty with China, and imperiled U.S. foreign relations.

Representative Hitt passionately denounced the registration certificate requirement, arguing that the "old slavery days" had returned, when slaves were required to carry passes with them any time they left their master's property.

U.S. House of Representatives

Chinese Exclusion, 52nd Cong., 1st sess., 1892. Vol. 23, pt. 4. Congressional Record 23 (May 4, 1892): H 3922-3925. 

U.S. Government Printing Office

1892-05-04

Public Domain.

.pdf. 1.2 Mb.

eng

Immigration_17

Government record.