Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-06

down. The present indications are that |
they believe the Pacific coast sentiment to |
be more influential factor in politics than
the pseudo. humanitarianism of New Eng |
land. The former is so much in earnest |
that it is willing to ayenge itself upon the
party that resists its demands; whereas
the latter can be relied upon to stay by the
party ticket even if it is beaten on this
issue. But if the New England sentiment
had been militant and aggressive; if the
men for whom Hoar has been speaking
had viewed this subject seriously, and
been determined to enforce their convic-
tons we fear it must be concluded that
Congress would have found it necessary to
bow to New England and not to the Pacific
coast.
And it will not do to lose sight of the
truth that after all the bill now pending
is calculated to afford but partial re-
lief. Even if it should prevent any more
Chinese from coming than those already on
VIC IL VAL lCdNS al VI uO hSiS
to maintain the competition they have
established with white labor. The Chinese
in California indeed fully appreciate the
advantages to accrue to themselves from
the proposed law. They understand that
it is to their interest to be protected against
the only competition they fear, which is
that of their own countrymen. Trey know
that if their numbers are not increased
there will be a steady and profitable mar
ket for their labor indefinitely, and they
perceive that in the absence of Chinese
competition they will be able to force up
the rate of wages. It cannot therefore be
assumed that the passage of the new bill
will cause any sudden or appreciable
change for the better in the situation. 1t
is indeed more likely to tend to demand
for higher wages on the part of the Chinese
who are here. And it does not follow that
if they demand higher wages the white
labor now thrown cut of employment will
be enabled to take their place, for there is
margin enough between white and Chinese
wages for considerable increase in the
latter without producing any benefit to the
former.
In order to bring about radical change
in the Pacific coast labor market a law
would have been needed which provided
fer the deportation OF the Chinese now
domiciled on the coast. Such law, sup
posing that it could have been secured
land such supposition is really net
warrantable), would have had effects of at
least twofoId nature. In the first place
it would have apparently opened the door
to white labor. But as it would have also
compelled the closing up of many strug-
Cling manufactures, it might have pro-
duced very much less beneficial effect
than had been anticipated. The sudden
removal of the Chinese now here would
have caused something like anarchy, not
only in many businesses, but in domestic
life, and also in horticulture and vini-
culture, to say nothing Of agriculture. 1t
would have taken some time to fill the
vacancies with white labor, and great
many of them would not have been so
filed at all. In the end the sacrifice |
would no doubt have proved worth max
ing, but at first it would have been disap- |
pointing, and productive of reactionary |
feelings. As it is, however, we must look
forward to very gradual and slow changes. |
If the new law is passed it will probably |
not appear for some time to have wrought |
any modification of the situation. 1t will |
still seem that there are enough Chinese on
the coast to keep up the excuse that white
boys are driven by them to the Peniten.
tiary, and several years will elapse before
the emigrant coming from Europe will
cease to be told that there is "no show"
in California because of the Chinese.
It is much better to realize this now
than to start with false impression O.
what the proposed legislation can do for
us. We are not promised absolute relief
from the Chinese evil. Under existing
treaty relations with China Congress can
not give us that kind OF relief. Bet we
shall have at least gained one important
point in putting an end for twenty years
to the importation of these people, and in
the meantime opportunity will be afforded |
for fall and fair trial Of the assimilation
problem. The Chinese now here will learn |
that they must decide between staying |
here permanently, or going home for good.
Those of them who determine to stay will |
therefore have new and powerful reasons
for casting loose from Chinese civilization
altogether, and adopting that of America
By cutting them off from their native
country we of course bring pressure upon
them to alter their mode of life. At pres
emit, however, we have so arranged mat.
tiers that even though they decided to do |
SO they could not become American citi-
zens. 1t is not necessary at the outset CT |
this experiment to enter upon any con-
sideration of their possible future fitness |
for such change, but it is clear that it |
may become necessary eventually to take
it up and examine it dispassionatsly. For
the present the Chinese on the coast must |
be regarded as the first benefciaries of |
the proposed law. They will enjoy its ad.
vantages first, nor could this have been
avoided under the circumstances. In the
end the law ought to solve the Chinese
question, but that solution cannot be
effected with CELEBRITY, and those who
imagine that Congress is about to settle it
out of hand are only laying up disappoint-
ment for themselves.
MR.. GLADsFoHE's CHANGE OF VIEWS.
In the House of Commons, LAST Friday,
Rarop Henry Ds \Vnrpa roovaj tho (.oy