Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-21
THE CHINESE PROBLEM.
The Meeting on Fourth Street Yesterday
Sensible Speeches.


Yesterday afternoon, in response to a
published call, some 400 citizens assembled
on Fourth street, in front of the Postotfice,
to listen to anti-Chinese speeches. The
meeting was called to order by j. D. Jost,
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Citizens
Anti Chinese Association of Sacramento.
He made short speech, in which he urged
every one present to sign the roll and be-
| come members of the organization. He
claimed that nothing could be done with
out organization. If the business man,
mechanic and laborer would join hands
| and act tremendously speedy and peaceful
solution of the Chinese problem would be
the result He said the laboring classes
suffered from land monopoly and other
evils, but for the present all those things
should be treated as matters of minor i'm
! portance, and their every effort put forth
10 relieve themselves of the Chinese curse.
He presented roll and asked that it be
circulated through the assemblage for
signatures.
A FARMERS EXCELLENT ADVICE.
Abner Burns the Brighton farmer, was
the next speaker. He said it was his in
tention to deal with facts. He was not 60
ing to give the unemployed any tatfy, but
tell them some plain and undeniable truths
That Chinese cheap labor was one Of the
greatest curses upon our fair State was a
fact that none would gainsay. They are
here, they have almost captured all classes
of labor, and the country and the people
are being impoverished in consequence. If
by united action and peaceful measures the
Chinese employees could be displaced by
white labor then indeed would a new era of
prosperity dawn upon California, the great
est State in the American Union, whose
fertility of soil, delicious fruits and incom-
parable climate challenge the admiration
of the world. He said he did not believe
in incendiary speeches. He never made an
incendiary remark in his life, and consid-
cred that those who We're trying to incite
the public by Dynamite gunpowder and
blood-letting harangues were either lunatics
or demagogues. If they belonged to the
first class they should be cared for in Stock
ton or Napa; if TO the latter class, they
should be discOuntenanced and Stunned
by all men. Continuing, he said that he
saw in the audience many men who
WERE REALLY IN NEED OF WORK,
Ana would work if employment could be
obtained. But the laboring white men in
a great measure were themselves to blame
for their present deplorable condition.
Many farmers and business men had
been compelled to employ Chinese labor
ers, not because they preferred the Chinese,
not because the MongOl worked for less
pay but because the Chinese laborers were
more reliable. And why is this the case?
III tell you why" the speaker con-
tinued; because of the numerous grog
shops which you frequent, that gather in
all your hard earnings, degrade you NOR
ally and unfit you physically for the man
ual labor you have engaged to perform
The Chinaman receives his wages Saturday
night, and comes up smiling Monday
morning to renew his labor. He never is
moment behind time, never loses a DAYS
work /; you can always depend upon him.
This is not true, l am sorry to say, with a
large number of white laborers, Monday
morning finds them physical wrecks, their
money all gone-spent, not for that which
builds up, strengthens and clothes their
bodies, but for that which undoes all those
things-aye, even for that which steals
away their brains Many men who de-
spise the Chinese race, despise their system
OF slavery, despise their mode of living,
are compelled to employ Chi
nese, simply because they have GER
tain work that must be performed within
certain time. Now, the laboring man
must do something to help himself he
must lif; himself up from the mire take
hold with will get job of work and
Keep 1t; save his earnings, and III a very
little while, in q brief space of time, he
will become what he ought to be, indepen-
dent,
RESPECTABLE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY
In which he resides. No man can be
good employe that frequents and patronizes
saloons. Save your money when you get
hold OF dollar squeeze ii, and you will no
longer be heard crying out that you are
being crushed by capital. Be honest and |
industrious and you will soon be upon |
your feet, and. as honest and industrious !
men, the whole world is before you; your |
possibilities are not circumscribed'
His entire speech which was full of logic |
and common sense, trimming over with ex- |
cellent advice and suggestions, was listened |
too with marked attention throughout. |
Such advice from a man who has ever been
upon the side of the labOring man. should
by them be compared with the silly
harangue of DR.. O'Donuell and others Of
thatilk.
w. H. Weir, the next speaker, an aged
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, !
fully Endorsed the remarks of Mr. Burns. !
He hoped the present agitation. guided and
backed as it seemed to be- by the intelli- |
gence OF the community, would be kept
moving until the places that now know the
Chinese laborer, would know him no more
forever. He denounced all incendiary
moves as impracticable, and any infraction
OF the law as directly in opposition TO the
solution of this great problem. Mr. Weir
Is an eloquent and forcible speaker and in |
terspersed his remarks with wit and hui !
morous anecdotes.