, 1884-02-14
That Chinese Quest on.

A short time ago a reporter of the
S. F. Chronicle was in town looking
for subject matter for letter to that
journal In looking around no found
the night inspector of the custom
house, and from him obtained num-
ber of facts in regard to the SNUG
Cling of Chinese from across the
British Columbia line; which facts
he proceeded to enlarge upon, stat
ing some of them in terms rather
stronger than authorized. Since the
publication of the letter it has been
charged that Collector Bash was the
instjgator of the statements, We
learn from the inspector who gave
the information that Mr.. Bash knew
nothing about it, and was in no way
responsible for it. The edito- of the
OregOnidn, in his issue of the 11th
inst, makes a few remarks on the
subject which indicate that he has
been imposed upon, or that he cher
ishes secret i'll feeling against the
Collector. Other comments have APP
peared in print which go clear over
to tho extreme opposite, claiming
that no Cinnamon are coming in un-
lawfully, and that th sre are more Gus
toms officers here now than the gov
erument has use for.
Last fall this journal started al ag
itation Of the subject, showing that
violations of the restriction law were
frequent along the border, and Were
being carried on by wholesale; that
Congress had enacted a law without
properly providing for its enforce
ment, and that Washington Territory
had right to expect the customs
force at this place to be augmented
sufficiently to insure the practica
enforcement of the law; that Co..
leetor Bash admitted the impraetica-
bility OF guarding the bound Try with
the limited force at his command, bat
thought he could put stop to the
great bulk of incoming heathens #
he had four or five more spe .ial Off
GERS. Special Agents H Irr and
and Evans, of thu treasury d,part-
ment. saw fit to attack the motives of
the Collector AMI of the senior Q litor
, of this paper, alleging that a little
scheme was on foot to create few
Offices. This led 10 an extrn led
newspaper controversy, ana the p1b-
fishing of about all the facts bearing
on tho subject, papers ell over tie,
oist joining in the discussion. with
the final result of Special Agent
Wasson being sent TO make thoI =
ough examination and report the
facts fully. Major Wasson dill this,
and found as a matter of fact that
published reports of violations of Il e
law We're substantially correct.
During the past three months the
business of smuggling chinamen has
sensibly decreased, owing to the fact
that in winty weather it is not safe
fol small boats, such as are used fol
this smuggling. to cross the struts;
besides, there IS not as great ie-
mand for Chinese labor on this side
aasin the sunn +, c1ltrIct work being
duller. But the coolies arc still
coming IN occasional squlls, have
been seen to land. and the customs
authorities have adviccs of 800 OF
400 in one lot soon to be run across
the line. 1t has been said that the
steamers arriving from Victoria are
Thoroughly searched SO they are ;but
to suppose that Chinese would try
to come Illegally by those conveyaI.
ees is ts admit Iamentable ignorance
on the part OF the ''supposcr." Il is
also said that there Is no employment
fux moss Chinese IN this Territory.