Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-01

CHINESE LABOR IN CUBA.

Large numbers of Cinnamon are sent to
labor on the sugar plantations Immediately
on their arrival in Cuba. They prove et-
iicient laborers; and as they have no ex-
penses, and command very good wages,
they accumulate in a very few years funds
sufficient to allow them to carry out the
cherished project-a return to their native
land The Chinese. however, are born
gamblers; and many poor fellow who
comes to Havana from the country to pur-
chase his tickets for home loses the savings
OF years in single night, and dooms him.
self to still farther toll; or, turning to
life OF crime, he spends his days in the
city prison or chain-gang, or brings the
drama OF his life to close on the CARROT
ing scaffold at the Punta The fear of
death deters no Chinaman from a crime,
for he regards it only short way of reach.
ing the land OF his fathers. So strong is
his faith that at times some poor fellow,
being led TO his death, has been loaded
with letters and keepsakes by his country
men for delivery to friends at home.
The moral portion of the Chinaman's
nature appears to be yet wholly undevel-
oped. He will lie on the slightest occas-
ion, and with steadiness of voice and
countenance which almost forces one to
believe in him in spite of the plainest facts
to- the contrary. He steals whenever he
has an opportunity, and if he succeeds in
his operation, and remains undetected,
seems to consider it rather virtue than
sin. We recollect our servant coming to
us in great delight, with the information
that friend of his had at last succeeded
in purchasing ticket home. Knowing
him to be lay, gambling fellow, we
asked in some surprise how he Obtained
money enough. 'sHe stole it, was the
quiet, self-satisfied reply. It is unneces-
sary to state that after that we took special
care that our own purse was safe from the
touch of light fingers.
As cigar and cigarette makers. the
Chinese are unsurpassed, and they contrib
ute largely to the success of that branch
of industry in Havana. The celebrated
cigarette factory of La Honradez employs
a great number of Cinnamon for the PEE
paration Of dainty wares. The workmen
are, for the most part, lodged and fed in
the building. Their sleeping apartment
is like the cabin of a large emigrant ship,
full OF berths in tiers, with passage-ways
round among them, but everything ar
ranged with great regard to cleanliness
and ventilation. BY many OF the berths
hang emblems of curious devices and
pl CatIuS SuIuSSt DTOUdUly
charms to secure undisturbed repose to
the occupant. Going into the long work
rooms in this establishment, one is singu-
larly impressed by the curious appearance
of the workmen, who at first sight-in-
deed, at second sight too-appear to be
all women. Dressed in long blue or nan
keen gowns, with hair braided and wound
round and round the head, their almond
shaped eyes steadily fastened on the work
in hand, they appear like rows of automa-
tons all worked by a single wire, rather
than by living, thinking men. To what
extent they are thinking men is still an
open question. The problem Of poor John
Chinaman has been proposed to this gene
ration, but more difficult subject was
never brought forward. Unless Johnny
himself works it out by quiet, persistent
labor, we fear the solution will always re-
main in the future.-[ Harpers Magazine.