Georgetown weekly news., 1855-04-26
Chinese Immigration.

The following remarks by the Rev. Mr..
SPEAR, appeared in the Oriental, some time
since. The views of this noted lecturer on
the Chinese, will interest those who consid-
er this important subject. We do not mean
to endorse all of the suggestions made by
the Rev. gentleman, but give them, for the
interest they have, coming from such
source.
But what shall we do with the Chinese?
A full dozen schemes are sprung. One says
drive them from the State; another, drive
them from the mines at once-one SAYS, let
them dispose of their claims, compensate
them fairly, and gradually edge them out of
the country; another says, let them work
subject to American holders of claims: and
still another would only increase their IL
cense tee-One would add to the commuta-
tion fee but not to the license, lest it be
raised too high to admit Of collection: the
maratime, the transporting, and the interior
trading interests favor them; the planter of
the tule land in cotton, rice and sugar must
employ them alone; their pickings in inferi-
or mining districts help to sustain the COM
munity when the body of miners will not
work; they assist in various manual employ
mentS, and our households would feel heavi-
ly the loss of the patient tribe that now per-
form the parts of the Gibeonite and the
Nethinim-so all these would rather act
warily. Interests in China, those of the 9TH
er States, national laws and treaties, party,
sectional prejudices, must be consulted. So
it will be seen how many hands will be
ready to tinker, how many projects are to
be Matched out, how much caution is to be
exercised, and how much danger environs
in legislation upon so vast, important, COM
plicated and far-reaching a subject. 1t is
one which pre-eminently requires caution
and wisdom.
Some things are clear. The first is, that
we are not ready to receive more Chinese,
in the present condition of the State, and
until they begin to disperse hence over the
country, process now commencing There
fore it seems expedient to lay a heavier COM
mutation tax upon their immigrants, which
would check the poorer and more ignorant
class, and bring in a handsome revenue.
Another is, that facilities should be open
ed for engaging in agricultural employ
ments, And great liberality should be
shown by our Legislature, perhaps grants of
the tule land made free to those who would
guarantee their improvement within GER
tain period.
A thid point upon which our Legislature
should take action is, the throwing of Chin
eSe labor into those channels in connection
with the public works, where it is greatly
needed, and yet where it would not come in
competition with that of our own people
New roads, for instance, are required in
many portions of the State to open>up their
resources and facilitate intercourse. In
ditching, diking, and such necessary opera
tions, especially in sparsely settled regions,
they would be of great advantage.
Fourthly. Legislation is needed in Or
der to prevent the Chinese sinking down in
to state of despondcncy, poverty and deg
On the other hand we may and ought to
have Laws to check their vices, to root out
the gamblers and secret associations for ex-
torting money, to restrain hcentiousness
and encourage the immigration of families.