The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-05-28
SUNDAY, MAY %, 1876.
Senator Sargent ON the Chinese Question.

The Senator from California made
an able argument before the Senate
the other day in support of his reso-
luton for the restriction upon the
great influx of Chinese subjects to
this country. The argument may be
thus summarized
l.. The presence of tho Chinese in
large numbers is cause of serious
discomfort to the greater portion of
our permanent population.
2. That the Chinese are not an as
similative people and do not come as
other aliens, to mako homes in our
midst, or make this the land of their
adoption. That the Chinese are not
inclined to Republican ideas. There
is no liberal party among them at
home, and they bring no political
discomfort as open way for our own
principles to march into their minds.
They are impcrialists and aliens, in
heriting their opinions aud such the
very great body of them must and
will remain to their death.
8. The Chinese population expels
all others. That to rent dwellings to
them is to insure that such buildings
will never be reoccupied by Others.
That they are filthy in their habits
and surroundings beyond description
that they herd together in such squat
or and indulge in such habitsas make
their presence in the city a sanitary
offense, If not positive danger to the
balance of the community. They
constantly provoke danger from con-
fiagrations, while their clannishness
and language render them outside of,
rather than under, any efficient police
regulations or restrictions.
A. That their habits of living and
capacity for organization are such that
they can destroy all competition, and
thus they Lot only drive out the
higher priced and homogeneous
labor of our W race and people. but
they gradually monopolize the man
ufacture Of all light trades, as shoe
and cigar making &c, compelling the
smaller capitalists and employers to
surrender participation therein. Their
presence in fact, is the first veritable
presentation to us ola genuine proleta-
riat population.
8. That while the Chinese emigrant
brings cheapness of labor us an in
ducement for his admission, he does
not, and rs n rule cannot, come to
our shores as n voluntary emigrant,
in the sense that the European does.
The evidence of our c%onsuls, mer-
chants, missionaries, of the better
class of the Chinese residents-in fact
all accessible proofs-go to incontesti-
bly, show that the great mass of the
Chinese immigrants are coolies or
poems, bound to give service at exor-
bitant rates for a torn of years. Such
contracts are, of course invalid under
our laws. They are contrary to tho
regulations promulgated by the Chin
ese Government itself, but those who
make them with the wrctched labor
ers are able TO force them. The fami-
lies are left in.debt and bondage. The
peon or coolie cannot speak our Ian
guage. His only object is to get back
to China to release those who are there
left in pawn. Debt slavery Is a rec
ognized Institution of the Empire,
and it is by this fact, and the terrible
wretched condition of the masses in
and near the southern sea-ports of
China, that the shrewd and unscrup-
ulous Chinese dealers in the labor of
their countrymen are able to success
fully organize q traffic that is not only
hideous in character, but illegal in both
countries. The Chineseare the victims
and, rs the Senator claims, we shall
benefit, not %injure, them by the ex-
clusion he demands.
HNl.~ -