The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-22

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CHINESE LABOR.
An Interesting Ietterfrom General Jonn
G. Walker about the Cinnamon he has
mt Work In Texas.
To the Editor Of tue Ne.o Orleans Picdv1ae
The disorganiZation OF tne laoor system OF
the South, growing ont OF the emancipation
of the slaves, is already telling the story OF
Southern decay in productive industry. As
the middle AIRED negroes, whose working
habits were acquired under the discipline of
the old system, die of or become siiperannu-
aled, we are finding none to take their places.
The young ones rate Their political import
@ nroductlon or cotton aud sugar. To what ex-
lent the country has been the gamer by the
conversion of this large class of producers
into voters and politicians, IL matter OF
onIplon. but certain It is that the material in
terests OF the South have received
heavy blow, and we have not yet even
felt its worst effects. Year by year
capricious, and pdr'i pdSSu the price Of field
work enhance. We may, therefore, expect to
see the brambles and weeds Of our fields every
wear growing ranker, unless we can procure
Iaborers of another race. Can the Caucar
slams supply the want? Theorists may answer
aflirmatiVeiy as often as they please, but Lou
Isianans, at least, will not be convinced against
their daily experience and observation:
Whence, then, is help to come? For one,I
can see II nowhere but on the shores Of Asia
Fortunately the gold excitement In California
has made us partiully acquainted with the in
dustrial and economical value OF the Hongo-
Ian race. Large numbers OF them, drawn TO
our Ell Dorado by the universal attraction OF
gold, have for many years been settled on the
Pacific slope. Our first observation OF them
was as miners of the precious metals, but the
surface and individual mining becoming un-
profitable, these industrious people soon
turned their labor to profitable account In
other ayOcationR, and for years have supplied
to California that dcsideralum Of all new coun-
trIes-cheap and abundant labor. They have
built her railways, dug her irrignting and miu-
ing canals, drained her lands, reaped her
golden harvcsts, and In tens Of thousands OF
Households are OF this moment contrib
uting to tho daily comfort OF her inhab-
itants. These arc the people who are waiting
to be called to our relief. Shull we accept
their services?
If we decide to do 80, the sooner we set on
foot the measures necessary to get them here
the better. Having spent two or three years
on the Pacific slope, previous to the war,
ed with John Chinaman 9s alaborer, cook, &C.,
and since the war have been a strong advocate
for his introduction into the South. Theory Is
worth little without practical demonstration.
and 1t occurred TO me that tile best method of
impressing our people with the value OF the
Asiatic was to bring MIN into our midst and
let him speak for himself, In language that
requires no interpreter-that Of shovel and
wheelbarrow.
The Houston and Texas Central Railway
Company, after many costly and unsatisac-
tory experiments in the Importation from this
city aud New York Of white laborers, Mt my
earnest suggestion, concluded to try the en-
pertinent of Chinese labor. was consequent
" employed by them to proceed to California
and bring to Texas the two hundred and Gfly
Chinese now ut labor on The extension OF their
road near Calvert On this business reached
San Francisco early in October last, and from
that time to the middle Of December was en-
gagged in overcoming the difficulties found In
the way ofmy success In the first place, Tex
as was wholly unknown country 10 even the
Chinese who had spent years In California. 1t
was q bourne from whence no Celestial traveller
had ever returned; and, in the next place, |
had 10 overcome the unfrlendly influences OF
Interested uarties of our own race, who desire
monopoly in the business Of Chinese immi-
grafton at the South. At length, however, by
the dint OF perseverance, succeeded in secu-
inr the services OF two hundred and fifty eNpe-
rlenced railroad laborers for term Of three
wears. and have IusL returned from Texas;
after placing this advanced guard Of the COM
ing army OF occupation on picket, armed with
shoypls and picks, contented and happy, at
any rate fulfilling their contracts.
It Is e premier pas qtll colGe In business as IN
morals, aud these Two hundred and fitty Mon
colians being In your midst and finding good
treatment, good fUod and good pay, will even
, To fpilrna1Q other
works. and to our rich but neglected fields, aS
mnny of their countrymen as we may require.
Al first let them come for work on our rail-
roads. lcvccs. &C., and very soon the locations
where they are employed will be known to the
NoDroans of California and China, and be
come the nuclei OF Chinese immigration. Our
planters will then be able to employ, ut
reasonable wages, as many Oh lhat race US
they REQUIRE. or all the varieties OF mankind,
believe these people are The most gregari-
ous. and now that o respectable number of
them have led the way into this heretofore, to
them. terra inco1nitu, others, with proper en-
urayement, will not hesitate to follow.
Perhaps the time has not yet come when our
planters will be able TO secure sufficient sup
ply Of these laborers in California at the wages
they can afford to pay. But the rate OF wages
there is coming down since the complexion OF
tho Pacific Railroad, and, believe, before
MANI months, a large number OF valuable
hands may be employed even in California at
wages within the reach of prudent. planters.
or Course, it is To the shores OF Asia directly
that we must 20 for the millions that the South
will demand TO rebuild her fallen fortunes.
To brinr Them here ia the numbers and upon
the terms we can afford TO pay requires organ-
iZed effort.
En- attendant something may be done by In
diyiduul effort, and tits my purpose to estnb-
ls an agency in This sety a6 for ,n% f employment ca! t
voluntary laborers, cooks, domestic servants,
&c. Al present, Us hare already indicated,
my efforts will 1c m.inly directed to the fur
norations and contractors OIL public works
with efficient, reliable and cheap aborers.
A few words beforecosins as TO the habits
of The Chinese in California. They are abste-
mious in their diet, and drink no alcoholic
liquors; opium smokiag however, is Q vice
quite as prevalent Us Incorporate drinking is
among Christians. They are invetcrate gamb-
ers among themselves but ,Se, never allow this
They are devoted to theatrical representations,
and their theatres in San Francisco are crowd
sl,.,t,. ,.1--