The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-06
ASIATIC lNTRUDERS.
Testimony Taken by The Immi.
grafton Investigators.
Collector Phelps and His Assistants Tell Of
How the Chinese Have Evaded Re-
striction and Exclusion.


ing when the subcommittee of the Congress
sional Joint Committee on Immigration and
Naturalization assembled in Parlor A,
Palace Hotel, and began its investigation in
this CITY. As the immigration evil on the
Pacific Coast is principally confined TO the
Chinese considerable testimony was heard
upon that vital subject.
If the three distinguished Congressman
who comprise the subcommittee hau any
doubts as TO the necessity OF excluding the
Asiatic intluders those doubts must have
been removed by the mass of reliable teSt-
mony given yesterday.
The first person called upon TO give testi-
mony in reference to the Chinese-immigra-
ton problem was S. J. Ruddell, Custom
house Inspector connected with the Chinese
Bureau.
What has been the operation of the Ex-
clusion Act?" asked Chairman Squire, after
the witness had been sworn.
In response the inspector gave consider
able statistical information, showing the
arrivals and departures Of Chinese since the
Scott Exclusion Bill became a law. The
figures showed that the departures exceeded
the arrivals by nearly 15.O00 He explained
the methods employ ed in landing Chinese
on Nrits Of habeas corpus. During nine
months in 1888 there were 100 taken from
vessels on writs, and since that time 1892
were allowed to land by order of the Fed
eTal courts.
A STARTLING STATEMENT.
The witness startled every one present by
declaring that only about 5 per cent of the
persons who had been ordered remanded by
the appellate courts had been arrested and
returned TO China. He could not explain
-l,,,, ha.f haau The
timent of the laboring class, he said, is
against Chinese. The mercantile class IS,
perhaps, satisfied with the present condition
of things under the exclusion laws, except
the difficulties experienced IN habeas corpus
proceedings.
The committeeman looked unusually in
terested Wien Mr.. Buddell asserted that 1t
would pay Mongol 10 come to America
and secure a writ of habeas corpus, although
he had no valid grounds upon which TO
cure landing. The petitioner could make
considerable money while his case was pend
ing in the appellate courts. In the opinion
of the witness the exclusion law, if re-
enacted for an additional ten years, would
result in decreasing the Chinese population
in California. III conclusion the inspector
said the morals of the Chinese in this city
are very low. About SO per cent OF them
are opiunl-smokers and the majority OF the
women are of bad repute.
THE OATH \ FARCE.
Carlton Richards, the Interpreter of
Chinese for the Custom-house. deposed that
the judicial oath as administered to wit
nesSes in the courts of this country was
considered farce by the Chinese. He ex-
planned the system of contract labor exist
ing among the Chinese the methods of the
Six Companies and the low class of thieves
and cutthrOatS known as highbinderS. Rick
ards said the Chinese often tried to bribe
him, but he overlooked it by reason of their
laXlty of morals aud ignorance. 1t was his
nniU ha in tar
demand here than ever, especially in the
country, and that the wages paid them by
the whites were steadily increasing.
The committee remained in session until
after o'clock in the afternoon, when an
hours recess was taken.
STEALING OVER THE BORDER.
During the afternoon session additional
witnesses were heard in relation to the
Chinese evil. Charles I. Garter, who be-
came United States District Attorney for
the Northern District of California on No
yembeT 9th. was called. He said lie had OBJ
served during his brief time in Office only
what were the proceedings as to the landing
OF Chinese on writs OF habeas corpus. An
explanation of this system was given to-
grther with statement that the Exclusion
Act is being as rigidly enforced by the Gus
tom-houSe aud other Federal officials as
possible. As to amendments Of the law he
would suggest settlement OF the question
of jurisdiction in reference to the detention
caught stealing in over the borders. Mr..
Garter also reciteo the facts connected with
the substitution of The five Chinese in the
Alameda County JAIL and said the Federal
authorities should always and exclusively
have the custody and guarding OF remanded
Chinese. There could be no question, he
said, that the Chinese here are detriment
TO the community, and there should be
permanent exclusion
RUNS THE CHINESE MILL.
Commissioner Ward McAlliSter Jr. was
summoned aud stated that the sentiment of
the people was in favor of the continuance
OF Chinese exclusion. Some thought that
certain Chinese who held return certificates
had suffered an injustice under the Scott
amendment The Chinese now understand
the law thoroughly and their only pleas to
secure landing are that they were either
born in this country or that they are mer
chants.
The witness said he had tried over 1000
cases and 6SS cases remain to be disposed Of.
In his opinion there were over 5000 Chinese
merchants in this city. As to Chinese fur
nlshing bondsmen ne was non-committal,
but i'll eight years experience he had never
known Chinese TO forfeit his bond. The
Commits sioner positively denied that there
was any truth in tie assertion that not 5
per cent of the Chinese remanded On ap-
pealed cases had been sent back to China.
de had no positive knowledge as to this,
however.
to examine records and produce his books
he was excused until to-day.
COLLECTOR PHELPS.
Timothy Guy Phelps, Collector of the
Port, made an Introductory statement to his
testimony. When he first went into Office
he said the Government provided no means
1or securing testimony on the Governments
behalf. For this reason the incoming Chi
neSe were committing frauds. 1t was at his
suggestion that special attorney was ap-
pointed to procure testimony and watch ali
tile Chinese habeas corpus cases. Since that
time the number OF remands had greatly
increased. An investigation OF the charac-
ter Of proposed bondsmen was made, with
the result that 1t was discovered that there
70 were over 140 remahded Chinese who had
not been depOrted. Their bonds were de-
ciared forfeited and not one out of 105
bonds forfeited was collected. This caused
an order that all Chinese remanded go at
: once into the custody of the Marshal.
Where an appeal is not taken there is no
reason why the remaDded Chinese should
not be sent out of the country without delay
A CAUSE OF ANXIETY.
One thing that caused the Collector some
anxiety was the TACT that proper order of re-
mands were not made out. In some in
stances the Commissioner found that they
were Illegally in the country and came from,
Mexico. These men had to be deported,
ana the same action was taken with TWEEN
ty-four Chinese captured at Tucson. These
were also ordered sent back to Mexico
But when the remanded Chinese expressed
a. preference to return TO China they were
sent there. The law reads that the re-
manded Chinese are to be sent back to the
country to which they belong, but not be-
cause they sought to come here through
Mexico does Mexico become the country TO
which they must return.
COME RIGHT BACK.
when Marshal originally took a re-
manded Chinese back to Mexico" said the
Collector, 1.-THE officer would cross the Dor
der and leave his prisoner there. The Mon
'gol would sit down on his launches like a
coyote, and then follow the Marshal back to
this country, not unlike dog"
He explained that the practice OF Chinese
going to Mexico in transit was simply a
method employed by them to Illegally cross
: the border into the United States. OF the
s. los arrested while trying to cross the border
100 have been sent back to China and five
are held as witnesses. He had no reason to
hnf inn L..