Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-28
Correspondence Of the Democrat.
The Chinese Question.
DIAxoND Spp,ro, Il, O-,A -,

DIAMOND SPRINOs, Jss. 9th, 1850.
MEssRc EDiroRs: Among the important subjects
which will come before The Legislature at the pres
ent session. not the least prominent is the Chinese
question. That the people throughout the mineral
regions Of the State are extremely desiroua Of some
radical change in the law concerning foreign miners
lcensea is fact well known to every one who is at
oil cOnVersant with the matter and they are expect
ng some action at the hands Of the present Legis-
Iature The mining interest in the county Of FL Do
radO, 10 paramount tn all others. Indeed, il seems
TO be conceded, that the interests Of all classes in
the mines cOnspre to demand some legislation in
thi: particular. Should the Legislature adjourn
without making some change In the law, the conf
dent expectations Of the mining population Of the
county will be griev0usly disappointed.
That II would have been better for the inhabitants
81 California, bad the immigration Of Chinese TO this
State been prohibited at an early day. no well in
formed man will Tor moment deny. ThAtit is bad
policy TO encourage the immigration aud settlement
IN eur midst Of any class of Inhabitants who in
capable u becoming citizens, is point upon which
there no longer seenA 70 be difference Of opinion.
Ever since the discOvery Of gold in California, the
Celestial Empire has been accustomed TO take her
annual cmeiics and cast upon our shores thousands
These miserable creatures. These wretched beings
are sent here " eat out the substance Of the mnes
and send the proceeds VI their labor 10 their masters
10 China, for II 70 now known beyond doubt, that
nineteen.wentietbs Of the Chinese 10 this State are
slaves. The prevailing sentiment among the miuers
| seems TO be that the time has arrived, when they
We W. iouBeT AuUWeu W WOVA IN tne ultueBp
and, 10 our opinion, the necessity Of the would
justify the Legislature In interfering, and afford
ing such legislation a. would effect the desired re-
suit.
We have TINS endeavored to show the injustice of
suffering the Chinese " work the mines, and to point
out the evils resulting herefrOnl. II only remains
now TO propose some remedy for these evils. One
Of our present representatives, during the canvass
last summer, pledged himself in the event VI his
election, TO have law passed Which would effectu-
ally prevent the further influx Of Cinnamon into this
State This gentleman, ct the time Of making this
pledge, was doubtless ignorant Of the fact that the
Legislature sOne two years since, passed an act pro
hibtIng the further immigration Of AsiaIics or Non
gOans into this State, and that this Act has since
been declared by the Supreme Court
To talk therefore about reenacing this law, with
view TO meet the present emergency, 10, under the
circumstances the widest Illusion and the most ex
travagant folly. What remedy do we pFopuse p
After careful col sIderatiOn " the subject we are
forced 10 the conclusion that the desired result car
eRly be accomplished BY raising che license 80 high
that il will amount TO prohibition. Let the LegIn-
latuFs pass Act TO take effect ~ early 40 Aay
June next,) requiring each chinaman, before he
engage in mining. To pay for such franchise the sum
Of eight dollars for the irst month aud increase the
license at the rate Of two dollars each month"; until
it amounts 10 . prohibition. II could not be con-
tended with any degree Of reason that such egisa-
lion would be adverse 70 the interests Of the agricul
tursl portion Of the community, As il 10 conceded
that they do not rely upon the Chinese to furnish
market for any considerable part Of the products Of
their farms. Our Representatives, " they have any
regard for the wishes If their constituents will act
promptly in this matter. JEFFERSON.