The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-06-01
TIE ELKO INDEPENDENT.
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 4, $50.
Repeal Of the Chinese Mining Tax by Congress
Profection for Iron hni Mana Tor Gnid

Congress continues to look after its friends.
The latest little BILL for the especial bene-
at Of the yellow race, and especial injury of
the white, passed the House of Representa-
tives. May 9th, annulling the laws of Idaho
taxing Chinese engaged in mining. at the rate
OF four dollars per month. This tax has been
Of great advantage to that Territory without
being Of material disadvantage to the Chi
nese. While they were working out the rich
est places on the coast they could well afford
TO pay their little quota toward supporting
the Territorial government, thereby making
slight return for the protection which the
laws and the courts of the Territory have al
ways afforded them. White men have to paw
for the government. This act OF Congress
virtually eIempts the Chinese from that little
inconvenience. The amount Of their real or
personal property in the mines, subject to tax
alton, is trifiing. The wealth and taxable
property Of the Chinese companies are on the
other side of the Pacific. For mining pur-
poses, il seems to be cheaper to be China
man than American citizen. 1t is surpris-
ing that some sharp Radical hasn't attempted
to take out naturalization papers in the Celes-
tial Empire before shouldering the pick aud
shovel here. If he could obtain them he
might make money by it.
The Radical hobby just now in Congress is
the tariff bill. A higher tariff is demanded
greater protection for American industry.
Congress has been ut work for months per-
fecting another and more stringent bill for the
protection Of Eastern mines and manufactur-
ers at the expense Of the balance of the
- -.
time, to the ears of these statesman that
somewhere in the far distant regions of the
remote West American citizens have been
for several years putting into practical opera
ton this Eastern theory of protection to
American industry; that there is tariff on
Cinnamon in Idaho designed to afford slight
protection TO the labor of white men against
the ruinous competition of the slavsh hordes
of Asia. This will never do-American labor
must be protected on II Atlantic coast-Chi-
nese labor on the Pacific. Idaho is not of so
much importance; but, for all these learned
Legislators know 10 the contrary, some other
State or Territory may be collecting a similar
tax. The Chinamen's feelings must not be
hurt. Congress rushes through bill for the
relief OF its yellow ally, and great is the roar
of the gongs thereat-European labor is ruled
out-Asatic labor ruled in. This mining tax
did afford some little protection to American
labor, but Congress is unable to see it, because
it is not for the especial benefit of New Eng
land or Pennsylvania. American iron is pro-
tected but not american goldl The miner in the
Alleghanies is encouraged; the miner in the
Sierras discouraged. The Eastern mine is
fostered, petted, nursed, hired, and paid for by
the General Government TO be developed and
become permanent; but the placer mines are
virtually taken from the white miner and
presented 10 the Chinese. Does any one doubt
this, let him look to the nationality of the
placer miners Of California to-day. The crowd
ing of the Chinese element into the mines
is the crowding out of many whites, either
now or hereafter. The Chinese had splen-
did inducement to immigrate here before, but
Congress was not satisfied. 1t now offers
them a still greater inducement-four dollars
per month.
The last gold plncers Of the United States
are given away, Quilted, destroyed by this
singular legislation. Instead of contributing
to the revenues of this tax.ridden country
they go to ornament n saffron-colOred chief
on the Hong Kong, who will not even permit
an american dog TO see his face. II Con-
gress were legisating for China instead of the
United States, this annulling bill could be &C.
counted for. 1t would be the first to be
passed. 1t is high time we had Congress to
legislate for the United States instead Of Chi.
ma.
We look over the daily dispatches and read
the pathetic appeals of "Pig Iron Kelley
and the abusive clamor of the greedy Schenck
smarting under the kicks of Western grass.
hoppers," aud the "gnawing of his fellow ps-
mires." These and hundred others are the
the loud-mouthed advocates Of the iron inter.
est, already bloated with fifty years "protec.
ton" They take the floor and keep it. They
talk, and what is bctter-work Where are
the advocates of protection of American in.
dustry" on the Pacific coast johnson OF
California, an old miner himself, and the
steadfast friend of the miner, spoke. protest
ed and objected Right bravely and timely it
was done. Let him DO remembered for it,
But he apparently stood alone. The Radical
Chairman Of Radical committee rushed the
bill through over the heads of all objections,
regardless Of consequences, and certainly ig-
norant Of them. Where was the oily hinged
tongue of the distinguished Representative of
Nevada then2 We heard him ,oeeping sor-
rowfully over the misfortunes Of the Cubans,