The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1885-09-02
Special Correspondence News.
TRAMP PRINTER
Gives Us His Impressions Of
the Chinese
On the Pacific Coast and
Elsewhere.
THROUGH THE DENVER DENS-
EVANSTON CHINATOWN-THE
CHINESE IN PORTLAND,
OREGON.
The Chinese Must go-Or Improve

RACINE, Wis, August 9th, 1885.
I am a mugwump.
Not politically, but on the Chinese quos-
tion.
I might have given you my impressions
Of the Mongolians iu America at much
earlier date, but have been waiting until
a prolonged absence from that portion Of
the country which they have captured
might soften any unjust prejudicos may
have entertained in regard to the sons Of
guns.
A few short years ago I was in favor Of
unrestricted Chinese emigration. That
was when was gulping down knowledge
at the Hillsboro union schools, and when
the only Chinamau ever saw was an occa-
sional missionary lecturing for the benefit
Of some church, or a laundryman-the lat
ter to be seen only on a perennial visit to
Cincinnati. In our school debating clubs
took the negative on the resolution that
Chinese emigration should be prohibited.
Now am Prohibitionist-on this ques-
tion. But at that time grew indignant at
the wrongs inflicted upon the ''poOr
Chinese, and on a certain Friday after
noon, before tho entire A Grammar depart
ment and three visitors I also grew elo-
queut, and delivered such q touching argu-
mont, roOounting their grievances and their
many virtues that good Mr.. Gale Bennett
(our teaoher), pronounced me youth Of
promise who would undoubtedly inevitably
rival vi. Sloane. (But alas, there's many
a slip twixt the desk and the forum and
/ was always too honest, anyway
If you want to get enlightened on the
Chinese question, take Horace Greeley's
advice, young man, and 60 West. Don't
judge by anything you see east Of the
Rockies, and don't think that because Sam
KEGS opposition has not financially
smashed the Hillsboro washwoman that
forty or fifty Of his oountorparts couldn't
do it.
The FIRST place I ever saw Chinese In any
number was at Denver. do not know
how many there are, but they occupy a
frontage Of about two squares together,
which with the stray laundrios in other
portion Of the city make a pretty fair show
ing Of Chinese, of both sexes, As was
younger then than I am now I didn't know
much about them, and so bribed long
haired individual who was introduced to
me as california Bill" and who was
familiar with their ways and wiCkedness to
show me around. A detective whose &C.
quaintance had made introduced US, and
said "Bill can show you around. He's
an Indian scout and his back is so SCARED
up, you can't count the marks. I would
accompany you, but that won't have time
now. Just you follow Bill, if you want to
study Chinese character"
I followed Bill
Bill talked familiarly as we walked TO.
ward Chinatown. InterrogOting him as tc
his employment he said he was "doinp
nothing OF present, as business was dull
just waiting for the Indians to break out. d
Bill took me around, aud what I saw wal
sufficient 10 do aught but strengthen my
youthful ideas Of those people. Graphically
described my little trip that night would
do for q Ave cent novel, but it would hardly
be appropriate for a family newspaper.
Az the Pacific coast grew nearer ant
nearer, the Chinese grew more and NOR,
disgusting Beyond the Rocky Mountain
the greater part Of all kinds Of labor il
done by them They cook at nearly al
hotels; they do gardening; railroad work
and everything-inoluding Of course mo
nopolizing the laundry business. SO fev
are the hotels with white cooks that Il s.
not infFequently you may read on a hOte
card or Reimbursement such wording as this
''HoTEL DE swPEs.
Only arst-olaas hotel In the city. Ere
busa. Sample rooms on FIRST floor,
Fine bar-rOom In connection.
EB-Ky. Sour mash
specially
ONLY WHITE LABOR EMPLOYED ! !"
They do this work for wages that o.
American could not live onto say nothinI
OF keeping a family. All the seotio
laborers on the Northern Pacific roilroa
are Chinese, as far east, perhaps, as Easter
Montana. They work for 10 TO $I,1O o
$l.l5 per day and board themselves, The
are little better than slaves, as shrew
Chinese contractors secure them and via
tually sell them to railroad companies OF 8
much for a certain period Of time. Whil
in Portland, Oregon, a case Of this kin
came under my own observation.
, wealthy Ohinnmnn made a contract wit
. parties 10 Britiah Columbia to furnish 90
, laboEorH for O projected ailroad at ell
per day each. He had 10 difficulty In raj
inc the reuuired number in q short time