The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-06-09

Inc San francisco Times, speaking
on the same subject says
1t is a significant fact that at tho
laying Of the last rail on the Pacific
Railroad John Chinaman occupied a
prominent position. Hct was who com.
menccd, and it was he who finished the
great work and but for his skill and
industry the Central Pacific Railroad
might not now have been carried east
ward Of the Sierras. The experience Of
tins undertaking has proved that the
Chnaman is an admirable railroad
builder. His labor is cheap, his temper
is good, his disposition IS docile, his
industry is unaagging his strength and
endurance arc wonderful, and his me-
chanical skill is remarkable. There are
Cinnamon in the employ Of the Central
Pacific Company who are more clever
in aligning roads than many white men
who have been educated to the business,
and these Mongols will strike truer
line for longer distance with tho un-
assisted eye than most white men can
with the aid Of instruments. A good
deal OF nonsense has been talked about
the Chinaman's want oe stamina, and
his inferiority to tho white laborer in
point Of strength and capacity for work.
The Central Railroad has pretty thor
onghly setllcd that point; for numerous
experiments have been made during its
construction. with view 10 test the
capabilities OF the two races. On one
occasion party Of, Irshmcn and par
ty OF Cinnamon wero pttcd against
each other in blas!ing hard rock for o
tunnel. Bets were freely made -''t
the white men would come ont v'''hors
but at the end Of the day. "hen the
work OF each patty wa, measured, u
was found that JoI" Chnaman had
hurrowad furthe~,'nto the rock than his
anita nonist I'd was moreover, less IA,
,;ansd =, fhe bands of Cinnamon now
orc .'hzed by tho Central Company are
IS fine railroad builders as can be found
anywhere. The officers OF the Union
Pacific Road were amazed at the work
these fellows did, and it is by no msans
improbable that our Eastern friends will
endcnvor to secure some Of tho trained
gangs for ,he next railroad en- crprise in
which they may engage. Many of the
Chinese bosses, or heads of gnngs, on
the Pacific Railroad, arc very intelligent
men, and u few days since VIC we're
present when one of these entered n
car and engaged in conversation
then going on, speaking good English,
and showing an extensive acquaintance
with railroad matters. 1t is well that
we should bear III mind the great assist.
ancc that the Chinese have afforded to
the Pacific Railroad, and that we should
remember tho difficulties Which their
presence tisslpatcd. The training they
have received on that road has given
TO California large body Of men pecu-
liarly adapted to this description of
work, anu it has rendered comparativc-
~ easy the carrying out Of other enter
prlscs OF the same character. They
will probably be largely employed in
the construction Of the California and
Oregon Railroad, now aboat 10 be en-
tered upon and while they do notiprr-
vent the engagement Of white men,
they will facilitate enterprises which
might he impracticable, lacking their
mid. The Chlnaman is a born railroad
builder, and as such he is destined to be-
most useful to California, and, indeed, to
the whole Pacific slope. ,.t