Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1886-03-13
COMMUNICATION.
A WOrkingman gives His Views
on the Chinese Question.

| uiai DC vi CNCutS, questions vi VITAL
importance engage the attention Of the
people, in order to arrive at a correct
solution Of any problem, it is necessary
that all aspects of the question at issue
should be carefully considered. To the
contamination of this object, the writer,
wishes to place his views before an in
telligent and thinking public, but, ow-
want of space, he can only hope to pre-
sent very few points in the case, and
must almost entirely forego the argu.
ments that would sustain them. That
none may mistake the position occupied
by the writer, he begs leave to submit
the foil owing He first made the &C.
quaintance of the "little brown man, !"
thirty five years ago, in California. He
has realized the degrading influence Of
his presence, for at least quarter Of a
century. He has beheld that almost
impalpable evil advancing step by step,
slowly, constantly. persistantly, until
| its influence is felt in all circles Of So
ciety, and every avenue Of industry. He
has bcheld the young Of both sexes de-
moralized, diseased and dwarfed, in
both body and mind, and those OF ma =
ture years debauched and forever ruined
by the vices he has brought among us.
He has beheld the unskilled and skilled
laborer alike, displaced and the white
laborer so dcmoralized that the Chinese
has almost become a necessity. He can
but look forward with horror TO the con-
dition of social and business affairs if
this evil is allowed to spread and grow
in like proportion for the ensuing
twenty five years. What imagination
could picture it century hence
"Self preservation is the first law Of
nature" The logical conclusion is this
monster evil must be arrested. This
many headed dragon must be slain.
| This nuisance must be abated. But
how ? All that is the question. Pea.
cably Certainly. Lawfully ? by all
means, and furthermore deliberately
and dispassionately. Not by pursuing
a course Of persecution toward the en-
ployer or the employee, but By giving
every employer reasonable time and OPP
portunity to gather about him such help
as the demands of his business may re.
quire. Not by requiring every one to
sign contract agreeing to stop all bust
ness dealings with such as may still
have Chinese employed, under penalty
of themselves being "boycotted, for
by such a course there are industries
among Us that would be brought to
sudden close and prosperous citizens re.
| duced to restitution, poverty and want.
| course OF action which would not in
the least conflict with the interest of
one class OF citizens, il rigidly enforced
would visit wreck and ruin upon an
other, and in this, as well as all other
! great reforms, individuals must suffer,
but, by con siderlng the demands Of
their peculiar circumstances, modihca-
lions may be made which will materi-
ally lessen their losses and inconvenien-
cies, and as this evil has attained its
present magnitude by slow degrees, SO
must its suppression be accomplished
by intelligent. patient, persistent effort.
1t is not sufficient for the laboring
class to rise in their might and in the
violence of the mob drive out the ser.
vile class whose places they wish to oc-
cupy, but there is a duty also which
they owe to themselves and those of
whom they would seek employment.
They should endeavor 20 make them
| selves fit and competent 10 discharge in
a satisfactory manner the duties which
will devolve upon them in these various
occupations. They should cultivate
habits of thoughtful industry to the
end that they may perform their duties
carefully and methodically, thereby
rendering to their employer a full re-
turn for the wages demanded, and
above all avoid drunkenness. One great
argument in favor OF the employment
| OF the Chinese is that John is always at
| his post, whereas his Caucasian brother
! is often off on a drunk after receiving
his monthly pay Reliability in that
| regard is often in favor of the heather.
1t is stated that this present move.
ment is not for political effect, sincerely
| hope it is not. hope the bali now
set in motion will not cease in its
eternal round until the Pacific States
and Territories shall be delivered from
this invasion. To one who has seen so
many demagogues ride into place and
power on this issue, | confess, the pres
ent movement has a suspicious look,
but gentlemen assure me it is not at all
political, and trust they are not de.
ceived. Yet good has sometimes
though rarely came from politics.
Here endeth the epistle. If in this i'm
perfect sketch some Of my fellow la
borers find food for profitable reflection
the writer is thankful.
NOTTINGHAM.