It can scarcely be possible that the numerous predictions floating about here as to the results of the coming election can interest readers in China. It is noticeable that if you know a man's politics you can be, particularly if he is prominent in the judge pretty well what his predictions will
campaign. 'This is doubtless for the encouragement of his party. Among conservative people who judge for themselves the feeling seems to be that Harrison will be re-elected, but there is much uncertainty about it.' New York is confidently held for Cleveland, but even that is not quite settled. Wo shall know in a few days, and the result will doubtless be known in Shanghai before these lines are read.
Mrs. Harrison is so ill that the President cannot take part in the exercises at Chicago. He remains in constant attendance upon his wife, who is beyond any hope of recovery. The end-may be very near at hand, but nobody can foresee what turn the disease may take, The principal officers of the government departments, and members of the foreign legations, with their wives and families are all going to Chicago to attend the great Gedicatory ceremonies on Friday. New York has just recovered frou the effects of a Columbian celebration on the grandest possible seal costing millions of dollars all gone up ina great naval review up the Hudson, a torch-light procession which continued until 2 a.m., fireworks and smoke, and a final banquet with patriotic sentiments.
Your ident happened to be in New York just before that great celebration, and can speak highly of the bunting decorations on the line of march. By special invitation of one of the members he was privileged to attend a meeting of the Woman Suffrage League of New York, and it was a most interesting meeting. The active leaders in any great movement jate almost certain to be persons of distinguished ability, whatever their followers may be, and whatever our prejudices and opinions one may hold upon the subject of woman suffrage, no candid observer would anaintain that the speakers at that meeting were less competent to vote intelligently than the average man, The subject discussed was Queen Isabella. The address of the evening was given by that noble, earnest, thoughtful woman Isabella Beecher Hooper, whose long years of life have not dimmed her intellect or the vigour of her speech. Can we wonder that women capable of leading ina movement which demands independence of thought, utterance and action, as this one certainly does, should unite in a vigorous protest against a system of government, in which the; are forbidden to exercise a privilege which is granted to every male negro and European pauper immigrant? I have always been opposed to woman suffrage, not on the und that women would not vote wisely, but because I have been unable to discover any benefit tv be derived from it, even should it become a popular movement among women generally, which is highly improbable. he subject is one deserving of serious discussion, and the man who has the temerity to oppose the movement on grounds of prejudice, and with the idea that the woman suffragists are cranks, would learn a wholesome lesson by giving vent to his opinions ut a meeting of the League. I will say this much for the character of the proceedings, that the only words spoken at the meeting which your correspondent attended that were in bad taste, were spoken by a man, and they were of such a nature, so venomous and uncharitable and intolerant, that he only succeeded in manifesting his own want of tact and good judgment.
understand that there is some uncertainty among the Chinese who wish to attend the World's Fair as to the conditions governing their admission to this country. As it is important that no misunderstand: ings should arise when too late to rectify them, Ihave made special enquiry, and T find that although our people in promoting the great exposition. da tended. that every nation and people should be invited and privileged to come, Congress has not yet seen fit to make provision for the coming of Chinese visitors, and as the law now stands, Chinese exhibitors and labourers engaged by them are permitted to come, but visitors are not allowed to land on our shores unless provided with a certificate from the Chinese Government descriptive of the individual, giving his age, height, physical peculiarities, character,' occupation, ete. Moreover, it is well' for those Chinese exhibitors and labourers to observe that "Collectors of Customs at ports are instructed to admit such persons upon presentation to them of satisfactory evidence that they are bond side exhibitors," ete.
From this it will be seen that the Colk ors of Customs are constituted judges as to the satisfactory nature of the evidence, and it would be well for every intending exhi for to guard against any possible disappointment by having his papers in perfect order. Tt would be well to enquire, through the proper diplomatic channels, just what satisfactory evidence " means, As regards visitors, of course, such cortificates from the Chinese Government cannot be obtained. The present law is practically one of absolute exclusion of chinese. It is possible that Congress will make special provision for the admission of visitors to the Exposition at the next session. If not they cannot come.
As I have already intimated, the registration of Chinese residents according to the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.