The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-15
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ence to his wishes. Again. Doctor, you charge
all the evils you discovered upon the Chinese:
twO-thirds of your report pictures the want of
| sewage, choked drains, etc. Who is to blame
| for this state of affairs? You and your depu-
| ties and might add, the police, as every Off
Ger on the force is an ex-officio health officer
| Pardon me, Doctor, if / call your attention to
| your s'corn testimony before the Morton Com
mittee (page 140)
Question-Who is to blame for this defective
sewerage? Answer-'1 cannot say anybody is
to blame. This is new CITY There
is an amount of sewerage already done here
and being done now. Probably il we wereto
place this city in a proper condition in regard
to sewerage, within two years the most of
real estate would be almost valueless. The
topography of the city is such that the sewerage
is expensive. We have done an immense deal
in this city for quarter of century. We
are doing great deal now.
Question-Then the Chinese are to be blamed
themselves for this lack Of sewerage?
Answer-"Not at ALL"
II YOUR TESTIMONY WAS CORRECT THEN,
Why not have frankly stated in your report
that the Chinese were mot at all" to blame?
Again, Doctor, you have revived that old
slander upon Our youth, in publishing the
testimony of DIR. Toland, you say before a
special committee. appointed by the State
Senate, session of 1877 and 1878. Here again
you are wrong. That committee was appointed
on the Sd day of April, session of 1876 and
that the sweeping assertion of ''our youth" be-
ing enticed into these brothels by Chinese
prostitutes is not so. There might have been
four years ago some foundation for such sur
mise, but the police have in that matter been
vigilant, as you know, and broken up any such
practice. But let us quote your testimony ON
that subject in defense of the charge of all
our youth" being charged with such infamy.
Question by Senator Morton (page 141)~
docs your position as health officer give you
a knowledge of the general extent and con-
sequences OF Chinese prostitution here?"
Answer-"Not any further than the knowl-
edge OF any other intelligent physician in re-
gard to the matter. OF course we all look up-
ON the Chinese women as prostitutes. 1 sup
pose as rule they are. That has been my
opinion, as IL has been the opinion of most
every other person in the city. But do not
think that is one OF the things it is necessary
to make such fuss about, because we have
plenty OF prostitution outside of the Chinese
They have a few women here 1 think it
would be great blessing for us if we had a
great many more
CHINESE WOMEN HERE.
We have abundant sources of sporadic dis
eases here, as in large cities outside of China
town, and my experience is that prostitution
with the Chinese women is confined toa very
low class OF white people. You NAV 90 into
some portions of the Chinese quartersefor in
stance, on Pacific street-and you will find the
lowest class of white people, and negroes and
Mexicans, and Indians, and Cinnamon, mixed
up together horribly"
Why do you drag forth the testimony of the
Superintendent OF the Industrial School. and
Mr.. Gibbs and DIR. Shorb, who gave this testi-
mony years ago, when you know that the evils
they set forth have long since been remedied,
and have no existence now, nor by your sworn
testimony never did exist? You, no doubt,
signed your report understanding full well
that 1t must be verified under oath before the
tribunals. If you visited house that was
occupied by 1000 persons" you, of course,
state fact You are willing to substantiate un-
der OATH and, also, you will do likewise in ref
erence to the room 6x6, in which you found
women and men in 'beastly promiscuous-
ness" And, Doctor, you say one of the
doctors had ito cry enough" Let me INQUIRE
Doctor, if am informed correctly that after
you had endured this trial and visited these
horrible nasty places, you and your colleagues
CHINESE RESTAURANT,
And sat down to a supper of Chinese delica-
cies, and smoked their cigars, all of which
were prepared, as you say, sin the midst Of
this filth Cinnamon may be seen manufact-
uring confectionery, vermiceli," ETC., and
cleaning tripe for our restaurants and washing
laces for our ladies'" OF course my informa-
tion is not correct, yet can prove it by COM
petent witnesses. Now, Doctor, in conclusion
who is to blame if such state OF affairs as you
represent exists in Chinatown. You cannot
claim that the law giving you absolute po1cer
is weak; it is child of your own. 1 pledged
you and your deputy that the Chinese would
not contest its validity, nor have they, nor
will they against my will. Then why have
you neglected your sworn duty? Again. re.
peatedly, time and again, have urged the
condemnation of the place on Dupont street
that you descend two flights of stairs.''
Have you failed to do so because it is owned
by the Catholic cathedral and church and it
would put them to some trouble and expense?
Have you neglected to enforce the law in or
der that you could publish to the world a
nuisance you have fostered in order to con-
denim by wholesale the entire Chinese quarter?
Doctor, you wish the world to understand
that you utterly repudiate the idea that you
are governed by "race prejudice or class
hatred" Ii this is true, why don't you con-
denim other portions of the city which you
have repeatedly informed me were equally
liable under the law to such condemnation?
f. A. BEE.