Mr. John Hay,
Secretary of State,
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. Secretary:-
Your present visit to the Pacific Coast seems to me an opportune time to address you on a portion of the Chinese Exclusion Act that has for years past, appeared to me foreign to the traditions and principles of this Country. I refer to that portion relative to those privileged to visit their native land and return to this country. As you know, the present privileged class is quite a small one, merchants, some few professionals and those showing assets of $1000.00, (which last qualification is practically a dead letter.) Now it appears to me unjust that a distinction should be drawn between classes in a matter that appeals to one’s humanity, most of the Chinese men in this Country having wives and families in China, and unless they belong to the privilege class, they cannot visit them and return.
This restriction, in my judgement, based on close observation, and acquaintance with facts during many years past, is fruitful in Chinese prostitution, perjury and fraud in the matter of ‘Merchants’ Certificates, an incentive to efforts to evade the laws and lays the ‘laborer’ open to extortion at the hands of those who would try to get him through as a ‘Merchant.’
I would suggest for your careful consideration, that all persons, irrespective of class, who have complied with the Registration Law and be in possession of Certificates of Residence, should be allowed to visit their native land and return by the port of departure, within one year of such departure, (in the case of Merchants, the present privilege class, the limit might be extended or unlimited). Let each person on departure deposit his Certificate of Residence with the port Custom Authorities, receiving in exchange a receipt sufficiently explicit to ensure identification with the original, without giving the personal description of the owner, in this way minimizing successful impersonation. Let the person on production of receipt and proving his identity, according to the Certificate deposited, receive back his Certificate, and land.
Such a course as I have proposed would not conflict with the existing Laws as to increasing the number of Chinese person in this Country and would, I am confident, assist materially in the welfare of the classes I have referred to, and tend to remove temptations to breaking the Laws of the land, as I have mentioned; and this extension of the ‘privileged’ would make happy so very many persons who are now barred from visiting the wife, children and parents.
Your consideration and action in the matter, in due course, will be much appreciated I assure.
I have the honor to remain,
Yours respectfully,
