The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-11-01
Chinese Labour.

4 CONGRESSIONAL mint was recently ap-
pointed by the Federal legislature to inquire into
the cause of the depression of labour throughout
the United States and the Chinese labour ques-
ton. That committee has recently been holding
its sittiDgs in San Francisco and taking evidence.
The Collector of Customs Of San Francisco, in his
evidence, depOsed that the presence oil the Chin
csc people frightened capital away. There was
abundance Of capital and labour in the State, but
the feeling that existed between classes was so
bitter that capital would not invest for fear OF
destruction of property. The Chinese paid but
a small portion of the taxes, and he knew OF no
class of people resident in the country who were
favourable TO Chinese immigration. Another
witness, Loring Pickering, gave very decisive evil
dence on the question OF Chinese labour
= Ii will result in breaking up the country. Their
presence crowds hard upon the working women.
No matter how cheap they are willing to work
the Cinnamon will work for a little less. The
Chinese female population of this city is debauch-
ing the youth. There are a great many people
here who are not going to stay If the Chinese re-
main. They bring their idols, religion, morals,
and customs all with them, and the federation of
them is incompatible with the interests Of our
State. In a few years the question will be set
tied whether Congress takes any action or not.
There are probably Us 900 OF these people on the
Pacific each one drains US to the amount offs
cents per day. If We were not a wealthy people
we would be made bankrupt by this draught.'
The Chinese began with market-gardening, but
they have now directed their attention to other
branches of produce. They have entered into the
business of raising potatoes, and by combination
now command the market, sending into San Fran
cisco $500 sacks daily. AS a natural result,
other counties of the State, where white men raise
potatoes, can find no remunerative sale. Actual
investigation also makes known the fact that the
Chinese now cultivate extensive gardens on the
uplands, where water can be procured for irriga-
ton, so that the Chinese now monopolize the gar
den lands Of the State. The San Francisco Post
has recently been devoting a series of articles to
the exposure OF Chinese lotteries in San Francisco.
1t appears, although illegal. there are nine organ
ised Chinese lottery companies in the city, with
drawings twice a-day that these lotteries are
patrOnised by thousands of whites and Chinese,
and have 800 agencies that there are 100 games
OF fantan in full blast every night at the gam
bling houses, through which passes nearly two
millions of dollars per annum, of which one hun
dred thousand dollars 60 to the police as = hush
money" Daily the number of white people
drawn into the vortex of gambling goes on in
creasing, and the social mischief thus created is
said to be most appalling. General Grant, in one
OF his letters from China, to his friends at Wash
ington, comments on the singular aggressive spirit
which latterly has infected the Chinese. He says,
'They are a people OF wonderful shrewdness and
industry, and are rapidly monopolising trade as
carriers, merchants, marketers, and servants.
from Bombay eastward. My belief is that in less
time from now than half a century Europe will
be complaining of the rapid advance Of China
The whole question is beset with difficulties, out
of which it will puzzle the ablest American states
man to find a peaceful and equitable solution.