The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-01-14
IN. Y. INDEPENDENT
GeTho Haafhau Nhiuoo >,

The Heather Chinee" is giving the
Knights of Labor on the Pacific coast
a great deal of trouble. At recent
convention held in San Francisco they
passed a series of resolutions demand
ing still more stringent legislation on
the part Of Congress to keep China
men out Of this country. Delegates
were present from nearly every trade
organization on the coast; and plans
were adopted for systematizing the
anti-Chinese crusade in every city and
town, and for extending the move
ment 10 all the labor organizations in
the Eastern States. A copy of all the
resolutions passed was directed to be
placed in the hands Of each member
Of Congress from the Pacific States,
accompanied with the request that he
would exert his influence in securing
the passage of law that would abso-
lutely shut the gates against the arri-
val of any more Cinnamon in the
United States.
We observe that the San Francisco
Post, aspiring to be first among luna
tics, goes ahead of these furious
Knights of Labor. Not long since it
declared that agitation for the enact
ment of law prohibiting further i'm
migration, and providing for the re-
turn to their O,0n country of the CHI
saese no,0 here, has become the duty of
the people of the States and Terrific
ries cursed by the presence Of the
Coolies" What is the occasion for
all this froth and foam on the Pacific
coast, especially in California? The
total number Of Cinnamon in this
country in 1880 was, according to the
J census of that year, only 105,465, in
an aggregate population of 30, ,155,-
783. The number must be still less
at the present time, as the result Of
the anti-Chinese laws Of 1882. More
Cinnamon have left this country than
have come to it since that law was en-
acted.
/ Turning to the State of California,
the hot-bed of this anti-Chinese craze,
we find that, in 1880, that State had
an aggregate population Of o64, ,694.
in which were included IS, ,132 China
men. The number of Cinnamon there
now must be less than it was in 1880,
as the consequence of the law enacted
in 1882, and under this law it must
gradually decrease by deaths and re-
turns to China. Now, in all sober
ness, we ask the white people Of Cali
fornia whether the presence of 75,-
132 Cinnamon in an aggregate popu-
lation of S54, ,694 furnishes any occa-
sion for these awful Mysteries of the
Knights of Labor in that State. and
the worse Mysteries of the San Fran
cisco Post? These Cinnamon are not
voters, or ofice-holders, or even citi-
zens. They are aliens, resident in Cal
ifornia under the stipulations of a
treaty. Some of them are merchants,
and more OF them are common labor
ers in various vocations As class,
they are temperate, Industrious, peace
full and thrifty people. These are the
well-known facts; and it is simply
stupidity to the last degree to pretend
that they furnish any just occasion
for all this fuss and uproar about Chi
namen, as If their presence involved a
great peril to the Caucasian race in
California, or anywhere in this coun-
try.
We are told, however, that, as sell
ers of labor, they undersell the white
man by working for a less rate OF
wages than the latter demands. The
answer is that, if this be granted
their number is not sufficient mater
tally to affect the rate Of wages in the
labor market, and still further, that
they will in the end, from motives OF
self-interest, demand the average rate
of wages, and will not work for less
They are human beings. and will in
this respect act like any other class OF
laborers. The rate of wages will reg
ulate itself under the general law ol
supply and demand; and there is nc
reason in the world why Chinamer
should not be permitted to furnish &
part of the supply, as we'll as Irish.
men or any other class of foreign la
borers We go further, and add that
there is no good reason why they
should not be naturalized upon the
same terms as any other aliens com
ing to this country. This whole tu.
multi among labor organizations about
Cinnamon is sheer humbug, founded
in ignorance and selfshness, and fos.
tered by unserupulous political leaders
We have absolutely no respect for il
and no sympathy with it.