The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-18

Chinese Observation-Disclosures Report.
From The B.eramsnto STATE journal.
Yesterday Mr.. Co6roth, Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Federal Relations, presented the following
report to the Senate, which was unanimously
adopted by that body
The subject Of Chinese immigration is one which
at this time excites no little inquiry and the ra.
pidty with which the Asiatc hordes are fockingi in
upon us Is looked upon with alarm both in the
cities and interior of the State.
The petition which gave rise to the report, asked
for the passage Of law authorizing the employ
ment Of Chinese service, similar to that provided
for in the celebrated Cooe bill Of 1852. The adop
ton Of the report by the unanimous voice Of the
Senate to say the least strongly indicative OF the
unqualified opposition Of that body to Coolie labor.
Mr. President-The Committee on Federal Rela-
tions, to whom was referred petition In regard
to Asiatic foreigners" have had the same under
consideration, and beg leave to submit the following
reg9 onI committee oon.,a.. .,., oomn.n.. with
the views OF the petitioners would be highly mex
pedient and injurious to the community. They are
influenced by no unreasonable or unfounded preiu-
dice, when they assert that comparison can exist
between the ignorant and dolatrous hordes of
Chinese that are now f10ckng to our shores and
the emigrants from the enlightened nations OF Eu-
rope, numbers of whom, in various parts of the
United States, have become useful and worthy citi-
zens, and whose descendants have attained the
highest dignties in the republic.
The number of Asiatics at present in the State is
estimated at twenty-five thousand and recent &C
counts inform us that thousands are now on their
way hither. In less than two years this number
may be expected to amount to one hundred thou
sand. The injurious effect Of their presence in
towns and cities is universally admitted. The small
portion Of them who engage in industrial 0ccupa-
ti0ns, compete with, and reduce the value Of the
labor of our own citizens.
The gold which they take from the mines is of no
benefit to u.s. not returning through any Of the ave.
country. The common idea that they are harm
less, inoffensive and labonols race is mistaken
one the records of the police courts of larger
cities abundantly show. They are continually en-
well known fact that large numbers of them are
banded together in secret societies, the object Of
which is, If we can believe the current Of the
day. to enable them to escape the pursuit Of justice
and perpetrate crime with impunity, by providing
witnesses to commit perjury and compelling those
to absent themselves whose testimony would con-
vict the offender, by the most fearful menaces
against their lives and property. Numbers of them
may be seen at any time in our cities passing their
time in idleness, or assembled around the gaming
tables. Their habits are dissimiar to our own;
their proclivities to vice notorious. Their color
their moral and physical organization and their po
sition in the scale Of alton, rendering it hope
less to expect that they can ever become useful
citizens establishes the fact that their presence in
large numbers Is an evil which calls loudly for legis
lative interference
1t is known that numbers of them are sent here
on speculation by foreign capitalists, for whose
benefit they labor, bound by contracts at which
recognise. 1t has at length become known to these
people that there is country where they can en-
Joy privileges that are unheard Of in their own,
where the laws less severe, and tyranny is un-
known. That these ideas are becoming more gener
ally difused among them, the increasing swarms
which every vessel deposits upon our shores clearly
prove.
may have been attracted hither by the reputation
of our golden hills, often after time, forsake the
mines and invest their earnings in the purchase of
become useful members of the community, increas-
ing the general wealth, and becoming permanent
residents of the State.
This is not the case with the Asatics. The hoard
ed product Of their labors, when they have been
successful in the mines, is carried away with them
to their own land, or they remain in our cities to
indulge in debauchery and vice and they are ena.
bed by the respectability which wealth confers on
its possessor, more readily to fleece their less for
tunate countrymen, and increase, by dishonest
means, the treasure they design at last to carry
away to their own country.
The petition advocates their ability to supply the
demand for domestic labor in this State, and prays
the Legislature to address Congress by joint resolu
ton, in favor OF the passage OF law I" declaring
that foreigners who have not declared their inten-
ton of becoming American citizens ineligible to
locate, claim or hold mineral lands and praying
that Asatic foreigners may become domestics in
our cities and towns under suitable laws" The
passage of such law while it would deter emigra
ton from the enlightened nations Of the old world
would at the same time, greatly increase the
crowds Of Chinese that already overrun our prn
cipal cities. Whether the Asiatics could, under
the constitution and laws of the United States
ever become American citizens, has been
doubted by the highest legal authorities but
that race of people, who are insensible to
| the solemn nature of tho oath or affirmation ad.
ministered in courts of justice, and Indifferent
to every sacred obligation recognized by civilized
nations, could with propriety, be admitted to the
rights of citizenship is question which no reason
able mind could entertain. That people, whose re-
putaton for honesty is so equivocal and from whom
the solemnity of an oath fails to elicit the truth,
could remain among US in the capacity of laborers
/ or servants, may readily be disputed. Domestics
are often necessarily placed in positions of trust,
charged with the care of goods and valuables, or
entrusted with the receipt of money belonging to
their employers; the well known cupdity OF these
| people, and the slight distinction they draw be-
tween right and wrong, would render them entirely
ineligible for such position, and be constant
source OF trouble and annoyance to those who might
avail themselves of their services.
The committee conceive that the prayer of the
petitioners is wrong and should not be granted
that it is the duty Of the government by law, to
check the steadily increasing Chinese immigration,
and not to provide additional channels of industry
for those who are now with us, and those who are
yet to come. JAMES w. CoFFRoTH, Chm.
CHAs. A. FUTILE,
CHAS. A. BRYAN.
He'll