New-York tribune., 1882-04-28
FAIR PLAY FOR ALL MEN.

fNACCUEACY OF SOME ARGUMENTS Against IhE
cu1xEsE-REAL cHARACTER OF THE SIX COM
PANIES"
TO the EditOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: AS a representative of a body of men
dccply concerned in the result Of the measures now be-
lore Congress proposing certain restrictions upon inc
Chinese immigration to this country, desire 10 protest
against Of the pleas upon which theEc restcuoh
are demanded With every disposition to make conces-
sions to those for whom entertain warm and sincere
regard and in belief section of the country so large
and mportant truth cOmpels me to affirm that some OF
the most important gments Of our California friends
are not correct Missionaries who have llved III emma
and on the Pacific coast, have become acquainted
with the pecuaiies Of this practical and thoughtful race
and know thoroughly and intimately the structure and
operatous Of their companies" will testify with one
accord.
FYrst-That the six companies in California are not
comosed Of capitalists They not designed for buy
fng selling, employing labor or any such purposes They
are simply great voluntary associations OF all TIE men
from one or district at home, rich or poor max
ing many thousands to each company. Each member
pays n fixed and moderate fee for the enjoyment OF
privileges of lodging i'll a building owned III common
and for cOnvencnces of intercourse and the settlement
of matters Of mutual The men or firms who
make it business furnish laborcrs, act and are com
pensated very similar agents do and are among
our people.
Secoud-That these "cOmpanies" are among the most
comnon of Chinese institutions. We have found them
in all the different provinces OF the empire At the cap
tails of the provinces, and at Pckng their members are
principally students who have gone tmthcr TO attend
the literary examinations.
Third-Their members have equal rights they elect
annually all the officers and servants and these are often
changed the salaries and dui, determined by the
votes OF members. The prevention OF persons going
hack upon the Pacific Mail steamers TO which alusio
has been made repeatedly Is really notification OF the
names Of men intending to return To China made by the
officers of the American steamer company 10 each
Chinese company, for the purpose Of enabling any of
them TO take measure through courts or in other
LEGAL WAYS TO arrest debtors criminals. That the
companies have managed things in their own way in
some Of these largely owing to their want OF
confidence i'll courts.
FourtL-The members not "slaves," poems, >,
or "sers" They and CO. labor or not seek or
another kind Of employment, make their residence in
one or another part Of this country independently Of
control from any powers above them own people
do or az do immigrants from European countries II
some Of them make contracts OF labor for certain terms
and Tor certain wages, 1t is just what other people do
| and alw ays have done.
Ii will he that these facts upon which there is
entire substantial agreement the part Of the mission
aries In China and the Chinese in this country who
more thoroughly acquainted with this people than
any other can be- through their knowledge Of their
language and usages of necessity and at once over
throw Of the strongest arguments for the cxcu-
sion OF the Chinese from this country Ii is strange
|
these after they have been explained clearly
| repeatedy and with abundant documentary evidence,
by those acquainted with the truth IN respect the
companies" 1t IL extraordinary that such sssevera-
tons should be made after the superintendent the
| companies by authority have testified We
| eolennly declare that we, the six companies
| never sDgly or collectively, as ndiyiduals or
| companies, brought OF country ncn
| to this free country under or by any contract or
agreement made nywhere, ns a servant or abDrer;
have yet let, hired contracted one OF people
labor neither have Xcrcsed slightest
control restraint people after they came
lar OF their wages" IL is hghhanded way OF pro
cedure to sweep out OF sight this ncontroveIble ey
dence a. old and established national customs, as If
IL utterly unworthy OF notice to characterize
| Wholesale these men among us false account of
their affirmation Of what their people universally know
TO be the simple truth; and TO make these
of the ground for the null ca0n OF treaty slipua-
lions which nations III concert have waged war
after war force upon China. This is the conduct to-
ward the Chinese which leads the most Of them
our Christianity" political institutions our know
| edge Of various kinds, and our manners. quiet
shrewd observing patient they bear 10 the utmost
wrongs done them They kindly; they are not re-
| vengeful; but, alas, they never forgetl
IL must be 10 allow this California experiment IN
be made and the truth to become manifest, a limited
period above ten OF partial restriction the
Chinese immigration may be expedient How strange
the necessity Of checking immigration the Pacific
side tho surplus OF which Is less than ten thousand n
the last years, during which the Atlantic aide has
had receive and provide for than hundred
times many OF classes involving great enxietes and
expenses. ~ An OLD MISSIONARY.
| Washington. Penn, April "a. 1882.