Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-08
THE MAR ON JOIN CmINAMAN.

The unanimity with which the veto
Ofthe Chinese bill is denounced by the
California press, is proof that there is no
division of sentiment whatever on the
Pacific coast, in any party or class, re-
garding this vexatiOus question.
The following comments of the San
Francisco Examiner very fully reflect
the sentiments which pervsde every ex-
preston We have seen from any source
in that country:
The news of the veto Of the anti-Chlnese
bill, though not altogether unexpected,
came to the community as a shock OF pain
full character, which it is difficult to lind
language 70 describe. Our people had built
much confidence on the Chicago platform,
and we were unwilling 10 believe that II
would be shamefully ignored by the Presi-
dent elected especially upon 1t, as ooth
Houses Of Congress had given II effect 6y
substantial majoritiCS. On all sides the
sentiment expressed is that no such calanl-
ity had ever before beIallen the Tactic
coast. Republicans and Democrats for the
time being forget their partisan differences,
and all alike feel that they are confronted
with n common peril and are face 10 face
with the appalling fact that no apparent
remedy remains for as terrible a curse
rs ever afflicted q people. The thi.
nese blight comes home TO the heart OF
every man. IL our people are % descend
70 the level of MOngOlian civilization, II
follows that they must live as the Chinese
90. they must abandon the building up OF
homes, eSchew the marrying OF wives and
raising OF children, and live on rice, sleep
tifty in a room on shelves, and wear nan
keen cloth. The only alternative, IS MAJ
tiers stand to-day, is obviously between that
condition Of things and an abandonment OF
the State until relief comes. IL is hardly
possible that there can be two political par
ties on this coast We are one people on
this question, and, as il OyerShatowS all
Others, we cannot afford 70 present dIvId-
ed front until IL IS settled. II any Demo
Crat feels that because 10 may bring him
rarity advantage he is glad OF the PreSl-
dents veto. h. is not 8 good DemOcrat,and,
what is more, ne is anything but good
citizen.
1t Is this very unanimity Of sentiment
regarding the exclusion of the Chinese
from that section where they cOngregate
and seem to thrive, that is the most
ruzzling feature OF the whole subject.
1t would appear that where any race
of people can find employment which
makes q residence profitable to them,
they would have at least, from those
who find it policy to contribute to their
thrift, some apologists, who would de
fend their coming and their remaining.
1t is said that the Cinnamon on the
Pacific coast take away over $40, 100000
per annum. AS nobody claims that
they steal it, it must be that hey earn
it, and as it costs them something to
live, and they own assessed property in
California to the amount Of Sl,5O,0O1,
il is reasonable to suppose that they are
of some account 10 somebody.
The CalifOrnians are not fools enough
to pay the Cinnamon more than an
equivalent for their labor, andmoreOver
it seems to be an admitted fact that the
"mOon-eyed lepers'' do 4 goOddeal more
work for their money than anybody
else is willing to do, so that the SlO,OOO,-
600 which the Cinnamon send away
every year, probably represents twice
that amount of effective labor done for
the people of the Pacific coast. The
truth is that California is, to-day, prOba-
bly,, worth millions which never would
have been accumulated but for the
Chinaman.
We cite these facts simply to show
how inexplicable it is that the China
man on the Pacific Coast does not seem
to have a friend with the inclination or
courage to raise q hand in his defense.
Ii he troubled California as little as
his presence troubles other localities of
the country, there would be no more Sc
riOus objection to his presence than the
immigrant of any other race or country
He seeks the mental employments and
avOcations which are scantily supplied
in this country. Every year the de-
mand for help in such positions is be-
coming more urgent in our social econ
Omy. A ship-load of servant-girls land
cd at New York the other day, every
one Of whom was engaged in advance.
Ifthe Cinnamon were Scatteled through
the country in such positions as these,
he would be a blessing rather than
source of yexation. But where he con-
gregates in numbers he seems to become
\ nuisance which the American people
are not disposed to tolerate.