The weekly Butte record., 1867-04-27
Peonage-Coolfe Labor.

Pe0noge-COolte Labor.
Ed. REcogp-I have been la5oring nan all my
fe have an interest in whatever affects the public
welfare Of the laboring man. and speak Of things
relating thereto as understand them. seek not
political distinction, ard have not the brain to
achieve it, even though vain enough 10 desire it.
Nor do set myself up as teacher IN craftsmanship
although feel just pride in enjoying the rights
and privileges which belong to every American cit
zen, to-wit: the Tree expression OF opinion on all
matters touching the public interest: and having
had nv say, (ihanks 10 your generosity deemed
il proper to retire behind the scene and join the
throng OF lookers-on. Reluctantly l appear once
more, net with the expectation of throwing light
upon so dark subject, with desire 10 get
the last word, which no one need ever expect tbes
pardon) with editor, but rather to protest against
that use of language from which differences may be
drawn in derrogation to truth In commenting
NV second article you say: The argument that
the race of Indians en- the American continent Is
destined 10 become extinct is hardly justification
for holding tribes of them in bondage for their la
Dor to the annoyance and disgust of those who
settle in their vicinity To this reply, there
cannot be any possible Justification for holding any
peaceabIe tribes In bondage for their labor or any
other cause, and have yet to learn that any are
so held. But who are those that are annoyed and
Disguised? Have We ever purchased from the In
dams of California their lands, and thereby &C
quired the right to Gust them, and complain of the
annoyance and disgust their presence occasions
when settle in their vicinity? II is your bull
sir, that IS goring the red mans OK and if the rea
tive position OF the two races were reversed, then
there would be some reason for the white race 10
talk about annoyance and disgust" As the mat
ter stands. think it is absurd for Christian ma
ton to modest the native tribes that are disposed to
he friendly and industrious and if such are dispos
ed to voluntarily give You their labor for sufficient
to satisfy the few demands of their plain natures
cannot see that it Is any of my business, aud rice
1t is useless to say government has provided for
them on reservations set apart for their use. The
manner in which they have been provided for on
reservations in California, presents spectacle so
humiii ting the nation, that in the contrast the
Chico Indians may thank their MANIToU for send
ing them so honorable protector as lie against
whom many of your most veneinous shafts d
rected and at whose feet they will fall harmless
as do dewdrops upon thirsty vegetation. Again
yoa say, I'VE cannot gree with Observer that pc
onage can no more compete with white Ameri-
b Cali idDDr tEdH iShotdlNc CuIHpctc WIN sCI-
ence'' and immedia tely add this language: ''the
/ very argument used by those in favcr Of Chinese
labor is that it is cheapest, ETC.. thereby implying
that peonage and Chinese labor are the same. You
have heretofore spoken Of peonage Indian labor.
principally on Bdwells Banch) and when REFER
ing to Chinese labor you have styled it Cooleism.
! adopted your line OF distinction but the case has
too far advanced tor me 10 accept them AS convert
ible terms. The condition OF the two races, and
relations towards each, will not admit the same
I line of The | consider the
ton of peonage, as raised by the Record. the more
| am convinced it has no foundation in fact, is SIM
ply smoke, used as means to prejudice the public
mind against one OF our citizens who occupies
prominent position, and therefore dismiss it an
i'll wind, blowing good to no one.
In regard to competition between Chinese and
! white labor, the more investigate it. the more
proof find that it is all a humbug If such com
petition exists any where 1t is surely to be found
along the line of the Central Pacific Railroad and
this is the locality to which you call especial atten
ton for the support of your theory thousands of
Chnamen are said to be there employed. But here
again the facts are against the theory of competi-
ton. A correspondent of the Sacramento Union
writing from Donner's Pass, on the 10th instant
says: Nearly eight thousand men have been in
the employ of the company during the winter, but
1 five times that number would be employed, was
assured, if they were 10 be had And he leaves
/ your 10 cents per day Cooe competitors out in
the cold entirely. for he says, "those whose indus
trial knowledge is limited to handling shovel and
ana. oct thirtv-one dollar, n month and board
Now ask in all candor if snch prices for the most
unskfu labor Iuinous to the labering white
man. what's the country coming 10? And if skill.
ed labor is maid for at a proportjonatev advanced
nr;ro az II necessarily mu.t he If the l,boring
white cannot better his condition under such
bbanmart sometime that i afraid Of l9hor. some
thing that is fond of extravaganza: something that
is stranger to economy; something that, without
brains is trying to ape the gentleman. He further
saws: The COMPANY along the line OF the road are
Offering their lands at the maximum price Of two
and A Lalf dollars per acre" Now. sir. there is a
chance offered to that class of Fpronean laborers
t who Won saw are desirous of earniic themselves
farms and homes ALONG the lines of orr improve