New-York tribune., 1870-08-25
PENNSYLVANIA,
THE HON. WILLIAM ID. KELLEY ON THE LABOR
QUESTION AND CHINESE IMMIGRATION.


Mr.. Kelley, the well known Member Of Con-
gress from Philadelphia publishes letter to the Order
OF United American Mechanics upon the questions
agitating the worAngmen OF the country The man
point is the matter OF Chinese immigration. He says:
believe that humanity and the true interests OF al
the people OF broad, richly endowed and dyersed
thny settled country require 10 welcome such II
the people of all other countries may in Il
their choice, come TO dwell among Us, adopt oi'
language and habits, and help develop our d0rman.
resources and maintain our Republican institutions
Mr. Kelley thinks this proposition does not refer 20
those who may brought hther by force decoyed by
false for the purpose Of being used with
out regard to their rights those Of the people at Large
instance it does not embrace such as may be found
early DAYS of the Republic or Coolies India
prior to the act OF Feb. - 1862. Nor does Apply
inary rates wages paid for labor and the OF Inv
ing In this country, seduced into coming here unda
contract for years OF labor for wages which, though
advance of those they might earn al nome, are IN.
cent for the support OF an American mechanic ana t
maintenance OF his children while obtaining the edues
ou due 10 them in common schools. Our laws should
secure the victims OF such wrongs the anpet meam
OF redress, and, at least, enable them 10 return
their native land at the cost Of the wrong doef
You will observe that my opposition 10 organized efov
TO stimulate Chinese emigration TO this country Is DN
based on hostility the Chinese but that IL arises iron
their ignorance Of the value and current price OF &
working people and OF the general cost Of living In ths
country; and that coming mere sojouTners, to retn
the expiration of the contract, they Will be uninenn
bered by the expense OF family, civic or social dut
and afford to work for wages that will not enable a
children Republican institutions require. The con
slant aim OF American sstesmanshp should he To secnr
to labor such share OF its production as may enas
each aborer to make provision for age OF adyeIsly
Chinese wages believe lower than those paid sy
other civilized country American wages are me n
est and the two rates cannot be maintained ~ tne
community. The attempt on an extended scale to g
as IL would be TO the labor OF ths county
II would unsette prices, and cause anarchy " lrT
The welfare OF our country, both present and ultmak
requires the maintenance OF our scale ~ wages and
advance whenever and wherever this is praeu.asss ~
But how is this TO be accomplished9 How can -
present rates be defended againt competition Win
productions Of the undeIpaid ab0rrs OF England sS
the Continents believe that Protective Am -
only possible defense OF rate OF wages While ~
uuierpaid labor is performed foreign countries ~
may defend the wages of the American mechahie ags
competition by imposing on its productions, when ~
ported into ths country duties equal 10 the dcrelc
between our wages aud the lowest rates paid IN 80
The American workman's sole defense agslns
runOus competition by the underpau NoEAnlss
man, Austrian, English mechanics could be broage
this country under contracts Ia work for tLrce, n's
seven wears at such wages as they receive AT home l
could the wages OF the American workman De deiens
against the destructive coinpeutonf freely admit
cannot see how 1t might be done. No taIin of
law protect wages against home competition a";
am therefore, opposed 10 permitting the importation
men who have contraetedto work IN our midst loI "a
gium, Germany, or England. Buy where you can ~
cheapest" is cardinal maxim OF iree traders snar
enue reformers. IL IL plausible, but delusiVe III spPs
To labor, u would bring Chinese worknlen Ia us ~
million. with your experience and Observation, "s
must perceive that 10 reduce the price OF our gou
enough 10 accomplish this would require us "a rducs
wages below the English standard, AS me ehesp.a a.
are restricting her exports aud driving the lss
dpetions OF England out Of common Imanssts manssts
the only doctrine by which the employment Of c0cls
labor in this country can be justified Is No! ohp ~
Sss s SS gSRsS %psS Of GsS
9pegnabie foundations and Is thus in ~ st,sis
ebeapaess sn5 she REPEALED not only the duties
iood, but those which protected hss LABOR sxSSe' ~