Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-07-28
JOHN CHINAMAN.
How He Lives and What He DOes-Ths Problem
OfExeellent Servants, skilled Eorkmen,
and Cheap Labor.
An Important QuestiOn-Is HAlu Aspect.
Special Correspondence of the Cincinnati
(faZette.l

- luNcEcSliuk anu lul pOEldul- lHeTt
are in round numbers one hundred
thousand of them in the Pacific States
and the new arrivals now average
from fifteen hundred to two thousand
per month. They abound along the
whole line of the Central Pacific Rail-
road to PromOntory Point, and over
this distance they have pushed off in
to the towns as servants and trades
men, and into the mines wherever
allowed to come. They are spreading
eastward slowly; there are a few in
Omaha, and John Chinaman, with
his round hat and pig tail cOiled un-
der it or dangling between his heels,
his long blue shirt which he wears
over his blue pantaloOns, will shortly
be no curiosity in the Mississippi VAL
ley. He is on his way in force TO make
his future Eastern employers visit.
Chinatown, as the quarter of the
city in which the Celestials live is
called, is certainly one of the most in
teresting spots in California. There
are about a dozen blocks whose four
sides swarm with them, and a hall
dozen streets for distance of several
squares are filed with their stores and
shops. 1t is a live scene. The Chi
namen move quick, and the stream
in the street seems constant, though il
is heavier when those employed over
the city pour out from their quarters
to their places of employment in the
morning, and return in the flood tide
at night.
Nearly all are dressed alike, in long
blue overshirts and pants. The round
straw hat is, however, being rapidly
abandoned for the American felt, and
the peculiar clogs and shoes for OuI
boots. The higher class Ofmerchants
wear a similar dress in style of a dark
and fine cloth, and the rank and sta
ton is shown by the length and thick
ness of the cue. The ladies may be
glad to know that these citizens Of the
Flowery Kingdom brought with them
the art Of wearing most deceptive ad-
ditions into the hair so that no matter
what the crop is the ladies can have
waterfalls of any given size, and the
men of standing, even Of any length.
Through all these streets, flaming red
and yellow handbills, covered with
columns of their peculiar characters,
tell these multitude of sales, and cheap
goods, of letters and new arrivals, of
theatres and places where labOrers are
wanted. Every store has its Chinese
sign, and most Of them an English
one also. Chy Lung & Co., are old
merchants of wealth and standing !;
so are Hip Yik and Hip Wo. They
sell silks and ivory goods, inlaid work,
teas, Chinaware, tableware, groceries,
cigars, and the countless other articles
which are included in the name of
"curios." Their word or bond is good
as gold among the bankers and mer-
chants of the city. Hung Lung sells
you cigars. Gem Lee, Hung Lee, Hip
Ho and other firms with similar names
make you cigars, mend boots and do
your washing and ironing. Their
market stalls abound in articles which
Americans know little about. Dried
fish, from an inch to two or three in
length, are brought from China in
great numbers, many kinds Of roots,
a strong if not fragrant kind of butter,
rice in large quantities, several kinds
of peas and beans, and a great variety
of similar cheap food. They use pork
in all forms, and very little of the
animal goes to waste. In all of these
stores accounts arc footed up with a
counting frame, strung with parallel
bars, upon which slide buttons of rose
wood, and this with their bOOk-keep-
ers outstrip our method of addition
The books are kept with brush, and
with a neatness that is surprising.
HOW THE CHINESE COME.
Six years ago the emigration began
in earnest. Before there had been on
ly enough on the coast to make them
more than a curiosity. They came
quietly and engaged in such labor as
they could obtain. They worked for
q trifie, were temperate, industrious,
honest and respectful. They became
popular, and consequent inquiry for
them increased the supply. The num-
bers which answered the call created
alarm among the classes which had
monopolized labor. DEM
agogues caught at the opportunity of
to the lower classes, and
began to denounce the new comers.-
From that time John has seen trouble
enough. But his friends are rapidly
increasing now, and he has already
obtained a foothold from which he can
not be driven. He is here, and his
friends and neighbors are coming
No power in America, as our laws are
and considering the de-
mand for his labor on the whole coast,
can drive him back, even if any con-
siderable number OF respectable citi-
zens should desire to bid him good
bye.
The fact is, there is not such a wide
spread prejudice against the Chinese
IS Eastern people have been led to be-
lieve existed in California. The large
majority of respectable peOple-2f both
parties consider their presence bless
ing. The lower class of foreign labor
ers oppose their coming, and persecute
them whenever opportunity occurs
The Irish are their worst enemies, but
Irish capitalists are glad to obtain their
services.
Politicians, or rather the unscrupu-
uos demagOgues among politicians,
have caused most of the trouble. To
secure the support of the most reckless
and vicious portions of the pOpula-
ions, they have framed unjust laws
md winked at Outrages and abuses
which are q disgrace to the State
Against all this, John, by his skill,
patience, exemplary conduct, indus
Try, and moderate charges for labor,
S slowly but steadily working his way.
AS tile State refused them prOtec-
ion, they formed companies to aid,
md, so far as possible, to protect each
,ther. There are now six Of these in
San Francisco, each under the direc-
ion of Chinese merchants Of wealth,
culture and standing. The directors
If the companies have common place
If meeting, and their organization is
complete.
The existence of these associations
las given rise to the story that the
Cinnamon who were brought over
we're really held in kind OF slavery
1y these corporations, and that they
we're actually bought and sold like
.Iaves. There is no truth in this
The companies were formed as benev-
,lent associations, and in no respect |
10 they depart from their original de-
ign. Each company represents a
certain district in China, and all who
arrive have the opportunity OF fjoining |
he particular one covering the place |
rom which they come. Each is free |
o become a member or not as he
chooses. The fee of membership is $40. |
For this he receives assistance from |
he directors, and their agents in OBJ
aiming employment; he is taken into |
he company's lodging houses, and
boarded free, or at very small expense
ill he obtains a place, and whenever
le leaves or loses his situation, or