The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-05-10
THE CHINESE PROBLEM.
The Plan OF California Politicians TO
solve Ii.

\
The Plan OF California Politicians e
solve Ii.
Washington, May 9.-The character
of the legislation desired by the Pacific
coast under the Chinese immigration
treaty is outlined in the following con.
versation with Representative Page, OF
California:
What do you people want in the
nature of legislation under these Chi
nese immigration treaties?
Mr.. Page-Inasmuch as the treaty
has not as yet been proclaimed, it is
difficult to say precisely what they do
expect. What they want, and what
they think they can secure under the
treaty, is the exclusion of all Chinese
laborers, as well as criminals, paupers,
imbeciles and immoral women, exclud-
ed by the act of rs. We think that
under the provisions of this treaty we
can secure what we desire. We have
good cause to desire it. Heaven knows
we are inundated with Chinese; they
are everywhere. They constitute now
about one-sixth of the entire popula-
tion; they are cutthroat competitors
with our workingmen. They are ar
irving in constantly increasing num-
bers, too-hundreds and hundreds in a
month. A vast horde of the vampires
is coming in to prey upon us. You of
the east do not appreciate this thing,
but we are face to face with it every
day. 1t is all very well to talk of
America being the home of the down.
trodden and oppressed of all nations
a refuge of the poor, unfortunate and
crushed; SO it is, when the people who
propose coming to it propose to stay,
become residents, and identified with
its life; but when they come, as these
Chinese do, as sojourners for "A time,
until, at low wages, by close saving,
they can accumulate five or six hundred
dollars-a fortune in China-when they
turn around and leave for their father
land on the next steamer, they are of
no value to any country. They are
here simply to get what they can scrape
together in the course of four or five
years. they add nothing to the United
States; they take all they can grab from
it. They have no love for its institu-
tions, no regards for its welfare, no in
terests in its affairs. They worship the
almighty dollar, and on that alone CEN
ters all their devotion. and to acquire it
all their energies are bent. All this
might be suffered if they did not under
mine our own citizens; as it is, they
must be excluded. You would soon
find that out il you lived in California.
Why, there are 5000 Chinese laborers,
factory hands, and subordinates in
trades. They are very apt, and soon
become expert. They would create a
riot in the east tomorrow; the other
workingmen and workingwomen would
not stand it. Why, ex-President
Hoges admitted to Senator Sargent and
myself that 10000 Chinese workmen,
suddenly introduced into the laboring
circles of Cincinnati, would produce a
riot. Even at South Adams, Mass.
where only an Insignificant handful,
comparatively, was employed. trouble
arose. Oh, it is impossible, they can
not live with us. OF course we have no
desire-we have no right under the
treaty, believe-to exclude Chinese
gentlemen, Chinese merchants, Chinese
travellers, and Chinese youth desiring
educational facilities not to be had in
their own country; they will be admit
ted as before. What we want to break
up is the Importation of Chinese labor
ers by the Chinese companies in San
Francisco. Practically you know they
are slaves. They belong body aud soul
to the companies. OF course we can't
expel those now in the country, but
they will disappear gradually, and we
shall see no more to replace them.
Are you preparing legislation such as
will meet the wants of your people un.
der the treaty?
Yes, am drafting bill which will,
think, cover it. OF course cannot
complete it until the terms of the treaty
are made known, but in outlining it
have the valuable assistance of Com.
missioner Swift, who aided in the ne.
gotiation of the treaty. He has already
given me important suggestions derived
from his knowledge of the circum-
stances under which the treaty was
concluded.
What will be the general nature Of
your bill?
Well, it will be practically the same
as the fifteen passenger bill vetoed by
Hayes.
| Do you expect strong support in the
housep
| Yes; 1 do not believe that more than
fifteen or twenty men will vote against
the bill in the house. / do not believe
it will meet with much opposition in the
senate. Mr.. Hoar may speak and vote
against it. don't know any other
eastern senator who would likely op-
pose it. 1 have the support of almost
the entire west in the house. Gen.
Miller will, of course, carry the bill
through the senate.
i Now, when you have put it through
congress, will it be vetoed?
No, sir; Garfield will approve the
bill. We know he is with us in this
matter, We are greatly encouraged by