The morning call., 1891-08-19
CHINESE IN NEW YORK.

The feeling is growing in the Eastern
States that Chinese are not desirable immi-
grants The evident fact that the Chinese
population in New York is increasing more
rapidly than the movement from other cities
accounts for inspired the Herald to find out
where they came from. A little investiga-
ton satisfied that journal that the new
Corners came from Cuba. A c0ole lands in
San Francisco in transit for Cuba. The
Southern Pacific Railroad Company gives
bonds in the sum of $500 for each cOole
received, and faithfully deposits the coOle
on board vessel waiting at New Orleans
bound for Cuba. Then theIresponSibility of
the Southern Pacific ceases. The Herald
thus describes the process by which the
coolie becomes a merchant and gets papers
which enttle him to admission in any Ameri-
can port:
Once having reached that port (Havana) they
proceed 10 make their preparations for their re-
turn to the United States. Many of the Chinese
have friends who look after them, and those who
do mol possess this advantage are said 10 be
taken in hand by the Chinese company which
brought them over.
1t Is an easy matter for them to go to the Chi
neSe COnsul-General In Havana, and represent
10 him that they have lived in the United States
and wish 10 go back. Probably this official is
not in sympathy with the United States law
which dlserminates against his coultrymen,
and, readily believing what Is told him, makes
out The necessary papers. Armed with these
credentials the Mougoian goes to the American
onsul-General and has his papers properly
countersigned, there being nothing 10 disprove
the allegations made therein. Ii Is also doubt
less, easy to get resident Cinnamon 10 swear 10
anything, as they are not noted for having much
respect for oatns in the administering OF which
q oil 10 -an ryIf no I'D nf Is
uous feature.
No one will suppose that an individual
coole with the amount of transportation in
his pocket can get into New York by the
Cuba route. The feat is accomplished by
organization. The coolie is taken in charge
at Hong Kong, is under lock and key all the
way, ana belongs to the organization when
he reaches his destination. He is not held
by American law, but is held hardly less
firmly by the unwritten law of the company
which imports him. He cannot escape the
debt without dying. In a city ike New
York there are many branches Of industry
into which the Chinese can crowd. They
aim first at the laundry business. They also
Work in underwear factories, in cigar fac
tories and in boot and shoe factories. Their
plan is to underbid white workers just
enough to get work. They do not desire to
revolutionize prices. So long as the supply
is limited they succeed in getting very
nearly American wages. The proportion of
Chinese to whites in New York is insignif-
cant. With one-tenth of the Chinese in
proportion TO the population that San Fran
cisco has New York would be up in arms.
The city with its vast working population
could not stand the drain upon its resources
that San Francisco has stood. There, as
here, the money paid to Chinese is nearly
all lost to trade. The laborer may gamble
it off, but the winners send it back to
China. If Chinaman pays off his passage
money in two or three years ne profits by
the transaction by the fact that he is in
country where he can earn dollar day
instead of the ten or twelve cents which he
is glad to get in his own country.