The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-25
Koopmanschap and His Chinese.

The letter which we published on Friday
from our New Orleans correspondent shows
that the problem of the introduction of Chinese
labor into the South and the Southwest has at
length been practically solved. The agents of
Koopmanschap have already closed contracts
for some four or five shiploads of Chinese
immigrants, to be delivered at Key West by
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. One Of
those agents is now on his way TO Hong Kong
in order to completes the necessary arrange
ments for thoroughly testing Chinese labor in
Louisiana in the coming spring. He is accom-
panied by Tye Kim Arr, native Of Hong
Kong, educated in England, who has been for
some years q resident along the banks Of the
Mississippi, and is thoroughly familiar with
the soil, the crops and the capabilities of
Louisiana. Tye Kim Arr will engage the
services Of the best laborers of the class fami-
liar with the kind Of cultivation that is most
profitable in Louisiana-namely, rice and
sugar. The terms of the contracts, which are
drawn up for five years, seem to be just and
liberal, both as to rations and pay.
Should this test experiment succeed-and we
hardly see how it can fail-it will be difficult to
future of Louisiana and on Chinese immigra-
ton to the Southern and Southwestern States.
Most Of the early shipments will find
immediate employment on the rice and
sugar lands in the vicinity Of Bayou
Lafourche. Doubtless further shipments will
soon be demanded, in order to reclaim the
vast tracts of swampy land available for
rice culture in that State, amounting
to not less than three hundred thousaud
acres. The climate and soil of Louisi-
ana produce description of rice worth
at least five per cent a pound more than any
East Indian importation. "The only thing
lacking" says our correspondent, lis labor.
That the coolie immigration will supply"
He adds, moreover, that ''the negroes are
already becoming alarmed at the prospect of
competition with their Asiatic rivals. And he
appends curiously suggestive call which has
been issued for colorcd convention ito con-
slider the best means OF promoting the agricul-
tural interests of tie colorcd race and to pre-
louisiana" But this call is too late to effect
the latter purpose, however effectually it may
lead to the former. The introduction Of Chi
nese labor, signally useful as it has already
| proved to be in California, notwithstanding all
| obstacles, and particularly in Fastening the
completion of the Pacific Railroad-one of the
most gigantic and influential Of modern enter
| prises-must even now be regarded as an fat
acc0mpk. LIS consequences will be incalcula-
bly, important. Among the earliest of these
consequence will be the vital warning to the
| Southern colorcd population, whica has been
| considerably diminished since its emanoipa-
ton, and has become fearfully de,noralized
| by the tricks and honied dece;ts Of radical
carpet baggers. Sambo can no longer b. pc
| that forty acres and mule, with scat in
| Congress, will be the sure rewards Of idleness
and roguery. When he shall be brought, as
he soon will be, into close competition with
| the frugal and Industrious John Chnaman, he
| must make up his mind TO work or starve.