The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-29
THE cELESEIAL WORKERS.
PM 4 HI 6.

The San Francisco Times'says:
1t is q significant fact that at the laying OF
the last rail on the Pacific Railroad, John
Chinaman occupied prominent position. He
It was who commenced, and II was ne who
finished, the great work; and, but for his skill
and industry. the Central Pacific Railroad
might not now have been carried eastward OF
he.Siertss. The experience OF this undertake
ing has proved that the Chinaman ls an adml-
rable railroad builder. His labor is cheap, his
temper is good, his disposition ID docile, his
durance are wonderful, and his mechanical
skill is remarkable. There ere Cinnamon in
the employ Of the Central Pacific Company
who are more clever in ahgning roads than
many white men who have been educated to
the business and these Mongols VIII strike
truer line for longer distance, with the un-
assisted eye, than most white men oan with
the aid Of instruments.
Al rood deal OF nonsense has been talked
about the Chlnaman's want OF stamina, and his
inferiority to the white laborer in point OF
strength and capacity tor work. The Central
Railroad has pretty thoroughly settled that
point; for numerous experiments have been
made during its construction, with view to
test the respective capabilities OF the two
races. On one occasion, party of lrishmen
and q party Of Chinameu, we're pitted against
each, h,other in blasting har1 rock for tunnel.
Bets we're freely made that the white men
would come out winners; but at the eed OF the
day. When the work. esch party was measur-
ed. it was found that John Chinaman had bur
rowed further Into Ehe rock than his antago-
mist, and was, moreover, less fatigued. 40
The bands OF Chinese now organized by the
Central Company are as fine railroad builders
as oaa, be- found anywhere; The officers OF the
Union Pacific Road we're amazed at the work
these fellows did and II is by no means i'm
probable that our Eastern friends will endeavor
to secure some Of these trained gangs for the
next railroad enterprise in which they may en-
gage. Many of the Chinese "bosses," or heads
of gangs, on the Pacific Railroad, are very i'll
teliigent men, and q few days since we were
present when one OF these entered car
and engaged in conversation then going
on, speaking good English, and showing an e1-
tensive racQpaiutapce with railroad matters.
It is well that we should bear in mind the
great assistance that the Chinese have afforded
to the Pacific Railroad, and that we should re-
member the difficulties which their presence
dssipated. Fhe training which they have re-
| ceived on that road has given to California n
| large body of men peculiarly adapted to this
description of work, and it has rendered COM
| paratively easy the carrying out OF other en-
| terprises OF the same character. They will.
| probably, be largely employed in The constcuc-
| tion OF the Caliiornla aud Oregon RAILROAD.
| now about 10 be entered upon; ; and, while they
| do not prevent the engagement of white men,
| they will facilitate enterprises which might be
| impracticable, lacking their aid The China
| man is born railroad builder, and as such he
is destined to be most usetnl TO California, and
indeed, to the whole Pacific slope.