The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-03
SPIRIT OF THE PRuss.
Editorial Opinions OF the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.

RUINED BY CHINESE CHEAP LABOR.
From the NJ z. Tribune.
1t happily occurs that at the moment we
are recording the difficulties of New Jersey
manufacturer in substituting Chinese for
Irish labor we are furnished with the results
of the Massachusetts experiment at trans
forming Alb Sing from "a heathen Chinee'
into a skilled mechanic. The experience of
Captain Hervey at Belleville, illustrates the
difficulties of organizing force of Chinese,
the cost of transporting them across the
continent, and the dangers of introducing
the new element of labor into a community
where personal interest and political princi-
pies combine to create animosity and opposi-
tion. The experience of Mr.. Sampson, at
North Adams, shows with what facility the
Chinese learn a trade and what is really their
value as mechanics. Each experience has its
moral, worthy the attention alike of manu-
facturers who contemplate the employment
of this new laboring element, and of those
organizations whether industrial or political,
which oppose the establishment of Chinese
labor in any part of the country or in any
branch of the trades
Captain Hervey experience establishes
anew that no political influence, no orga-
nized power of trades unions, and no demon
strations or threats of mob violence, are COM
petent to prevent the introduction of the
Chinese. Captain Hervey has been threatened
by laborers on the railways; he has been de-
nounced at political meetings, and warned by
the demagogues who, by some strange mys-
terry, almost invariably hold the official posi-
tions in the trades unions. He has paid no
regard to threats or warnings except to take
measures for the security of his men; he has
not thought for moment of desisting from
his purpose. The same threats and demon
strations failed to intimidate Mr.. Sampson
three months ago, and in both cases the reso-
Lutte bearing of the employers has had its
proper effect.
Not only was determination on Captain
Herveys part requisite to success, but also
the bold adventure of large sum of money.
An expenditure of $4,000 was necessary to
begin with; and the result shows very clearly
that to successfully organize a force of this
kind the moral courage to risk money freely
is as necessary as indifference to personal
danger. All Sing bargains like a veritable
Christian, taking all the advantages he can
get, and the man who tempts him into con-
tract must give ample assurances that he can
pay and protect him. Captain Hervey's ex-
perience in this respect is calculated to
dispel the hopes of many small manufac-
turers, who imagined that the new labor
could be obtained without much capital.
MIR. SIMPSONS experience, partly told in
this and partly in q former issue of late date
establishes the important fact that three
the Chinese profitable workers at difficult
trade. employing complicated machinery. He
has tested their intelligence, and proved it to
be of a high order; they are eager learners,
quick reasoners, shrewd calculators, and skill
full manipulators. They know, not merely
the purpose of the machines which they di-
rect, but the relations of each part, and can
not only operate them when in perfect condi-
tion, but repair them when out of order.
They are not quicker nor better workmen
than the Irish and French and Americans;
but they are steadier, better disciplined, and
far more economical.
But we must not miss third and by far
the most important conclusion of these ex-
periences. At Belleville no man or woman
has been thrown out of employment by the
appearance of the Chinese in the laundry
On the contrary, Captain Hervey cries for
more-either Chinese or Irish. At North
Adams, the strikers who left Mr.. SIMPSONS
employ, on demand for higher wages,
forced by the advent of the Chinese
to resort to cooperation, have been
successful in establishing an extensive
and profitable trade and manufacture.
They have been enabled to do this on
first expenditure of $19G per man-only
about SAG more than it cost Mr.. Hervey to
place each of his workmen at learning his
future duties. Thirty-one shoemakers, dis
placed by their own folly and the Chinese,
have established themselves in steady bust
ness at North Adams, with capital of
$4,000. Already the shares of the association
are at a premium. The details of this ad
venture show that the difficulties of starting
such cooperative establishments have been
greatly exaggerated in the imaginations of
those who have never encountered them
RUSSIA'S OPPORTUNITY.
From the ~ Y. Times.