The provision before us, I will say, Mr. President, relates simply in that respect to the children begotten of Chinese parents in California, and it is proposed to declare that they be citizens. We have declared that by law; now it is proposed to incorporate the same provision in the fundamental instrument of the nation.
Conness talked a lot about the Chinese community in the West, and just how utterly difficult it was to assimilate them into American society. Conness conceded that they (the Chinese) were far more difficult to assimilate or naturalize and adopt "Western" customs and practices than even Native American indians. Their loyalties to their families and the Chinese community overrode everything else. They maintained their eastern customs, language and practices. He talked about how few of them ever bothered to "naturalize". They were a incredibly tight knit community that was adamant about maintaining there traditions.
Conness even remarked how difficult it was to get them to swear an "oath", in a court of law, like everyone else. He said that it would usually involve the burning of parchment (papers) and incense or, even in some cases, -sacrificing a chicken.
The Chinese community was viewed in the same kind of manner as a Native American tribe.