The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-01-31

ion have, in my judgment. more to d
with this hostility than their alleged "
ces or any actual injury to the whit
people of California. The inquiry whicl
the committee were instructed to max
does not involve the political rights o
privileges Of the Chinese. As the Law
stands they cannot be naturalized anC
BECOME citizens, and do not know tina
any movement OF proposition has beer
made in any quarter recently to chang'
the law. But the question is, whether
they shall be permitted to come TO oui
country to work, to engage in trade, Il
acquire property, or to follow any pursuit
But teiore entering upon the discussion
Of any other principles, | may be permit
ted to observe that. in my judgment. the
Chinese cannot be protected in the Pacif
ic States while remaining in their alien
condition, without representation in the
Legislature or Congress. Without a
voice in the selection OF officers. and sur
rounded by fierce and, in many respects
inscriptions enemies, the law will be
found insufficient to screen them from
persecution. Complete protection can be
given them only by allowing them to be-
come citizens and acquire the right OF
suffrage, when their votes would become
important in elections and their persecu-
tions in great part converted into kindly
solicitation.
Mr.. Morton states that the Chinese
landing upon our Pacific coast come en-
tirely from the British port Of Hong
Kong, and says this fact should be borne
in mind in considering any proposition
to prohibit Chinese immigration. Though
subjects Of the Chinese Empire. they
10 81 rsF ah nj -, haN
spect are invested with the rights Of
British subjects, and in any legislation or
treaty by which we would propose to linn
il or to forbid the landing upon our shores
of Cinnamon or any other class of peo-
pie embarking at a British port, we must
deal with the British Government, and
not that of China, as by so doing we
would be interfering with the trade and
commerce of that port.
In discussing the effects Of Chinese la
Dor in California, he quotes testimony
given by Col. Hollister, one Of the largest
farmers in that State. who declared that
without Chinese labor the wheat and
other crops could not be profitably harv-
ested and taken to market. He also re-
ferred to testimony given by Charles
Crocker and other prominent gentlemen
not have been constructed without CHI
nese labor. Senator Morton says: AS
laborers upon the public works they
we're entirely reliable, worked more hours
than white men, were not given to strikes,
and never undertook by combinations to
the price Of labor" He further
says: "ln the early days Of California the
price OF labor was exorbitant, and render
I'd it impossible to employ men for any
Dther purpose than mining, or raising
provisions for the support OF the miners,
1t time and at places where transporta-
ion was most difficult, and they could
not be brought from other States or coun-
ries except at an enormous cost. These
Iigh prices made it impossible to engage
n manufactures or any pursuit that came
nto competition with the productions OF
,ther countries, and il was only when |
prices had become greatly reduced, chief |
y by the presence Of the Chinese that |
was at all able to send her az. /
icultural productions into the markets /
" the world, and il is undoubtedly true, /
the outcry against Chi /
lese cheap labor, that the average rate Of /
wages in California is higher than in any 1
tber part OF the United States, and now |
tand largely in the way Of the develop
nent of the State. Ii is said that the
resence Of the Chinese in California pre-
ents the emigration thither of white
eople. and therefore stands in the way /
{ the growth Of the State. If such is the
act, which / do not admit, il springs
rom the persecution visited upon the
hinaman, and the exaggerated declara
ions which have been made in excuse
Dr them, that the Chinese interfere with
-hIte labor, and leave white people out
{ work or reduce their wages. by compe-
tion, below the living point. II white
eople are deferred from going to Cali
1rnis, it is not legitimate result Of the
resence Of the Chinese, but by the gross
which have been
lade. That there have been
lany instances where Cinnamon were
mployed in preference TO white people
ecause OF their cheaper labor is undoubt-
dly true, but not to an extent that could
Irnish just cause of complaint requiring
,gislation or political action for its re-
ress No system OF labor is healthy or
which is not free-in which
len are not at liberty to work for such
rices as they choose to accept. The
eld of labor must be open to competi-
on as is every other branch of business
he labor performed by the Chinese has
.nded very greatly to the development
nd prosperity OF California. The testi-
iony OF many Of the witnesses went to
low that, but for Chinese labor, the
tate would not have half the population.
roperty, and production that she has to-
ay. Looking at the question broadly,
nd at the effect which Chinese labor has
xerted in California, running through
eriod OF % years, l am strongly of the
pinion that, but for the presence Of the
hinese, California would not now have
lore than one half or wo-thirds of her
resent white population; that Chinese
Ibor has opened up many avenues and
ew industries for white labor, made
lany kinds OF business possible, and laid
he foundations of manufacturing inter
sts that bid fair to rise to enormous pro-
ortions; that the presence Of the Chi
ese, holding out the prospect for labor
reasonable rates. induced the transfer
large amounts Of capital and immigra-
on to California, the most inviting field
,r immigrants from every class of socie-
= including laboring men; and, lastly.
nat the laboring men of California have
mple employment and are better paid
nan in almost any other part Of the
ountry."
lie adduces evidence Given before the
ONT Congressional Committee which
hows that the intellectual capacity OF
be Chinese is fully equal to that OF
-hite people. An extract is given from
be testimony OF Judge Heydenfeldt,
-ho said II never had lawsuit with
hem, or never had a complaint from them
D my life" He was drawn in contact
nth people from all nations, and be had
ever met a more honorable. high-mind
d, correct, and truthful set of men than