San Andreas independent., 1857-12-05
The Chinese Question.
NORTH BRANCH. Nov. 25t


Messrs. Editors i avail myself OF
your kind permission to write a few words
on the all-engrossing topic of Chinese
Miners. 1t has become fully apparent to
the most casual observer, that the Chinese
have ceased to be of any great pecuniary
advantage, either to our merchants or me-
chanics. The agriculturalst still derives
some profit from the food furnished them,
but not nearly to the extent which one
judging from their numbers and unac-
quainted with their diet-would be apt
to suppose. Besides, much of their veg
etable food is raised in gardens cultivated
by their countrymen. In the brief time
[ have been in this country, [ have been
surprised to see the advancement made
by this people in acquiring the means to
conduct their business without recourse
to their white neighbors. Their merchants
furnish food and apparel; they purchase
live stock for the shambles, from the
peting with the white teamsters, and
more of them are riding over our roads,
In proportion to their numbers, than of
white men. At the rate they are now
progressing, their ships will soon be on
the ocean, competing with the merchants
who have made fortunes by bringing them
in crowds to our shores. 1t is no matter
of choice with US, whether they shall be
driven from the mines, unless we are
willing to let them take position as our
equals in the employment of their capital
and labor. If they are permitted to re-
main much longer, they will for the future
maintain their ground, by the mere power
of physical endurance. In this matter
they are more than match for the whites,
for while they are capable of enduring as
much fatigue, they are contented to live
In such manner that the cost of their
food bears but small proportion to their
wages. If they were white race, and
there was any hopes of change for the
better on their part, we might wait and
hope, making use, in the mean time, of
such incentives to reformation as were in
our power. But so antagonistic are they
to any change in the creed of their fore
fathers, that no change for the better can
be expected. We might hope something
from the mingling of foreign ideas with
theirs, if their minds did not revolve in a
circle, which expands not a whit, under
influences which, with other people, cor
rect an overweaning opinion of ones own
country and its customs. A people so
entirely selfish and exclusive, have no
business anywhere but at home, and since
they are not willing, or are by their rel-
gious theories prohibited from intercourse
that would be mutual advantage, we
claim, as right, the occupancy of our
our own country, to their exclusion. Cap
italists who are largely engaged in works
that give employment to large numbers of
men, find profit in keeping this class of
people among us, but it will be at the
expense of the white miner, who, through
bad luck in prospecting, or some other
misfortune, is forced for time to work
for wages. Such ones should reflect that
though now in affiuence, they may, by
adverse. combinations of capital and skill,
be reduced to the necessity of seeking
employment in the ranks of those whose
labor they have cheapened and degraded
by employing an inferior race. The real
question at issue (for | believe a great
majority are in favor of driving them
from the mines,) is the time that must
intervene before they should take their
departure.
There is necessity for unanimous ac-
tion In this matter, and we should act,
too, In such manner as to avoid reaction.
1t Is obvious that those who have bought
claims, should have time to work them
out or to sell, at their option. This can
be done during the winter, on gulch and
surface claims, if Cinnamon now here are
limited to those they now hold, without
being permitted to take up or purchase
any more. For river claims, one more
season will be needed, which can, in like
manner be worked out under the spur of
necessity. Hundreds of Cinnamon, who
have been expelled from other districts,
are pouring in upon us, and it is a mat
ter of the utmost importance that they
should not be permitted to take up claims
here. [ have looked at this subject only
from business point. As to the moral
influences which this people exert, it can
hardly be considered commendable, and
will fully illustrate itself in those parts
of our mining towns that are occupied as
Chinese quarters.
| hope miners, from different districts,
will give us their ideas on this subject,
through your paper. E.
nSz~The Mormons In San Bernardino