The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-05-23

preClate the Americans.
A. THAT the Chinese have displaced
white laborers by low wages and cheap
living, and that their presence discour-
ages and retards white immigration to
the Pacific States"
This ch irge displays so little regard
for truth and the principles Of political
economy that it seems like folly to at
tempt an answer But please to remem
Der that it was by the application of
Chinese "cheap labor" TO the building of
railroads, the reclamation of swamp
lands, to mining, fruit-culture, and
manufacturing, thot an immense vista
of employment was opened up for Cau-
casans, and that millions now are
enabled to live in comfort and luxury
where formerly adventures and desper-
ADDE'S disputed with wild beasts and
wilder men for the possession Of the land.
Even when the Chlnaman's work is
menial land he does it because he must
live, and is to honest too steal and too
proud to go TO the almshouse), he is en-
ployed because of the scarcity OF such
laborers. 1t is proved that his work en-
ables many to turn their whole attention
to something else, 80 that even the hood
lum may don clean shirt at least once
month. You may as well run down
machinery as to sneer at Chinese cheap
labor. Machines live on nothing at all:
they have displaced millions OF laborers;
whv not do away with machines
Besides, are you sure that Chinese
laborers would not ask more il they
dared, or take more If they could get it
1t is the Chinese who are constantly
disp laced by Caucasians. AS soon as an
industry gets on its feet by the help OF
Chinese "cheap labor" Chinese work
men are discharged to make room for
others.
5. THAT the Chinese do not desire to
become citizens of this country"
Why should they -! Where is the in.
ducement Let me recie briefly few
of the laws and ordinances which,
though couched in general terms, were
made for their special benefit.
The Foreign Miners License Law,
which forced every Chinese miner, dur
ing period of twenty years, to pay
from 81 to $50 per month for the privi-
lege of working claims which others
had abandoned.
An act of the California Legislature,
1855, laid tax of $55 on each Chinese
immigrant.
Another, 1862. provided with a few
exceplions) tha. every Chinanan over
eighteen years of age should pay capt.
tation-ta of So 80,
A San Francisco city ordinance, passed
March Is, 1875, provided that all laun-
dries should pay licenses as follows ;
those using one-horse vehicle, 81 per
quarter; two horses, 81; no vehicle, $l5.
This is discrimination with ven
geance
| maintain that a sober, industrious,
and peaceabe people, like the Chinese,
who mind their own business and let
others do the same ARE as fit TO be voters
as the quarrelsome, ignorant, besotted,
and priest ridden hoIdes of Europe.
Are you sure the Chinese have no desire
for the franchise Some years ago, q
number of those living in California
thinking that the reason why they were
prosecuted was because it was believed
they cared nothing about American citl
zenship, made application for papers oi
naturalization. Their prosecutors were
alarmed and applied to Congress for as
sistance, and the California Constitution
was amended so as to exclude them.
In view of the above mentioned evil
dences of the fostering care of the State
of California, you will not be surprised
that very few ventured to bring theiI
famil es to American. Many would have
brought their families over, if they could
have been assured of pi protection.
8. That the Chinese live in filthy
dwellings, upon poor food, crowded to
gether in narrow quarters, disregardinG
health and fire ordinances"
The Chinaman does not object tc
dainty food and luxurious lodgings
But the paternal government Of Califor
mia taxed him as soon as he came ashore
permitted its agents to blackmail him al
intervals; made him pay $l5 a month
for carrying his customers washing ir
his hand. levied progressive poll-tax
without providing school for him; 6
road-tax before he began to travel, and
when he went to the mines, collected 9
water rent of thirty cents day, and q
progressive license-tax from "a to sex
per month. Even il he earned five dol
lars a day, he could not have fifteer
cents left to live on.
Sensible people will, perhaps, ask
Why do you permit the Chinese II
your city to disregard health and fire
ordinances Is il not the business OF the
municipal authorities to punish such in
fractions of the law2 Must the Natior
compromise it's honor and disregard it
treaty obligations because the officials Oi
your city neglect their duty
Z. "The Chinese neither have inter
course with the Caucasians nor will as
simulate with them"
Yes, just think of it AS soon as thu
ship comes into harbor, committee o
the citizens get on board to present the
Chinaman with the free lom OF the city
valued at $5). A big crowd gathers a
the wharf to receive him with shouts o
Joy land a shower of stone). The aris
tocrsts of the place flock to his hotel tC
paw their respects land to take away
things to remember him by). He is sC
feted and caressed by Caucasian society
that it is a wonder his head Is not turned
(or twisted Off.
In spite of such treatment, the Chi
nese will keep themselves to them
selyesn and snub the American commu
nity. Did you know that the Jews &C
cused the SamarItans Of refusing to have
intercourse with them
8. "The Chinese come and go as pa
gans."
Mr.. Beecher said in reference to thil
charge 1--WE have clubbed them, stoned
them, burned their houses, and murder
ed come of them; yet they refuse TO bt
converted. do not know any way, ex
cept to blow them up with nitro-glycer
inc, if we are ever to get them to heav
en-" In spite of these doubtful induce
ments to become Christians, more thar
500 have been admitted to the church.
| 0. THAT the Chinese Immigrants ar,
mostly criminals"
1t is not true. admit that we have
criminal class in China, but the few tina
got over here came through the neglec
of the Off eTs Of the Custom House t
enforce the laws.
In 1860 the population Of California was, $40 10
" Chinese population in California
was..........,...'.. .''''.'..'.'....., ~ w
! The whole number Of prisoners was 5l
q" Chinese prisoners was,
! While the Chinese population was one il
ten. their quota of criminals was only
one in eighteen; and that, too, wher
Judges and juries were more or les
, prejudiced against them. Every fair
] man can testify that the Chinese are thl
most law-abiding people ir the commu
: nifty, that they are not easily provoked
but are patient (oh, too patient y unde
I insult and INJURY. They seldom appesI
+ in court rooms in the character Of pris