Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-16
How the Chinese Come.


San Francisco Cor. st. Louis Democrat
Six years ago the emigration began in
earnest. Before there had been only
enough on the coast to make them more
than q curiosity. They came quietly and
engaged in such labor as they could OBJ
tain. They worked for trihe, were tenn
perate, industrious, honest and respect
full They became popular, and conse-
oueut inquiry for them soon increased
the supply. The numbers which answered
the call created alarm among the classes
which had previously monopolized labor,
demagogues caught at the opportunity of
pandering 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 foothold
from which he cannot be driven. He is
here. and his friends and neighbors are
coming. No power in America, as our
laws are constituted, and considering the
demand for his labor on the whole coast,
can drive him back, even if any consid-
erable number of respectable citizens
should desire to bid him goodbye.
The fact is, there is not such wide
spread prejudice against the Chinese as
Eastern people have been led to believe
existed in California. The large major
ity of respectable people of both parties
consider their presence blessing. The
lower class of foreign laborers oppose
their coming, and persecute them when
ever opportunity occurs. The Irish are
their worst enemies, but Irish capitalists
who employ labor are glad to obtain their
services.
Politicians, or rather the unscrupulous
demagogues among politicians, have
caused most Of the trouble. To secure
the support of the most reckless and
vicious portions of the populations, they
have framed unjust laws, and winked at
outrsges and abuses which are @ disgrace
to the State. Against all this John, by
his skill, patience, exemplary conduct,
industry, and moderate charges for labor,
| is slowly but steadily working his way.
As the State refused them protection,
they formed companies to aid, and, SO
far as possible, TO protect each other.
There are now six Of these in San Fran
cisco. each under the direction of Chinese
merchants of wealth, culture and stand
ing. The directors of these companies
have common place of meeting, and
their organization is complete. -.
The existence of these associations has
given rise to the story that the Cinnamon
who were brought over were really held
| in kind of slavery by these corporations,
and that they were actually bought and
sold like slaves. There is no truth in
this. The companies were formed as
| benevolent associations, and in no respect
do they depart from their original design.
Each company represents a certain dis
trict ia China, and all who arrive have
the opportunity of joining the particular
one covering the place from which they
come. Each is free to become member
or not, as he chooses The fee OF mem
bership is ten dollars. For this be re-
ceives assistance from the directors and
their agents in obtaining employment :
be Is taken into the eompsny's lodging
houses and boarded free. or at very small
expense, till he obtains q place, and
whenever be leaves or loses his situation,
or comes IN from the farms or mines, be
ends a free lodging place, and hospital
in case be is sick. Whenever q ship ar
riyes With immigrants, thess directors
bosrd her with q small steamer which
they own, and all newcomers are escorted
10 the lodging.honses O. Otherwise pro-
yided fcf. Such informshen is given