Chinese Immigration. Speech by Hon. Stanley Matthews, of Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, February 13, 1879
Washington DC: 1879. 9pp. Stitched; stitching perished, leaves loose. Lightly soiled, some chipping and wear to first leaf. Fair. Item #1116
A rare speech given by the Senator from Ohio, Stanley Matthews, arguing against a bill restricting Chinese immigration to the United States. These debates were part of the political outcry against the Chinese which had resulted in the Page Act of 1875, barring Chinese women from immigrating to the U.S., and which would eventually result in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Matthews argues against trampling the provisions of the Burlingame Treaty with China in order to pass "this arbitrary act of legislation," citing the sanctity of such a treaty made with another sovereign nation. This legal point serves as the main thrust of his argument, while he also lobbies for tolerance of foreigners. Matthews served as a senator from 1877 to 1879 and was subsequently appointed by President Garfield to the Supreme Court. We locate two copies in OCLC, at the U.S. Department of Labor and Ohio State University. Rare, and an important part of the pro-immigration side of the debate against the Chinese.
Price: $750.00