New-York tribune., 1891-12-24
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
THE EXCLUSION OF THE CHINESE.
HOW THE LAW rs EvADED BY UyPRNcIPLED
MEy-ITs CRUELTY TO THOSE WHO


MEN-ITS CRUELTY TO THOSE WHo
ARE HONEST.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: II ever the immigration of European laborers
is restricted by law, 1T r Hoped that Congress VIII never
pass anything dlsgraceful as the bill exeluding
Chinese An act that was rushed through both Houses
with ndccorous haste, whose provisions violated
solemn treaty and broke faith with $4,000 chinese
laboers to whom certificates had been given Is piece
Of legislation that TO say the least Is not credit 10
great Christian Nation. The bill was bad enough put
the subsequent rulings Of the courts and the Treasury
Department have made the whole thing a screening
farce Justice Field recently decided that Chinese
merchant doing business In this country, who returns
home for a short VISIT shall be required to cotain
certificate from the Chinese Government In other
words before he is readmitted 10 this country he Is
required TO procure proof from officials in China OF MS
status merchant that can only be found In the city
Town In the United States where his business Is car
ried on Imagine the member OF some long established
English house in NewYork visiting England, and on his
return 70 this couhjry being refused admittance III
Lord Salisbury proves him to be a merchant.
Take another example. The law requires that
Chnaman found stealing into this country across the
border, from Canada or elsewhere, without proper
merchants certificate, shall be deported to the country
whence he came. This has been interpreted by
the Treasury that he shall be sent back to China
The sequel to all this is very funny some Chnese
residents In Arizona, who ready to return to China
have not been slow to seize the opportunity CT getting
cheap ride home to China at the expense OF the
American taxpayers. There is nothing to hinder their
crossing into Mexico, and over they go. They watch
their opportunity deliberately recross under the
eyes Of a customs officer who makes an easy capture
and is commended-perhaps promoted-for his vigil
anCe. The Chinese are handed over TO me marsn'
getting free ride TO san Francisco and Tree uchet
to Kong Kong all at the expense of the Government
The Chinaman who few years ego was exasperatea
m to fond In
courts his right TO land in this country, now
chuckles with conscientious satisfaction, that his OPP
pressors have been caught In their own trap. vi
course il is very wicked OF this heather Chinee to play
these cunning tricks, but he has his own idea VI
wicked and stupid laws spltefuy passed TO annoy
him and his people. Some of the Cniled states courts
have Interpreted the law quite differently They
have decided that Chnaman crossing from heigh.
boring country shall be put back over the border.
Here comes a Chnaman, who has got tired OF John
Bull and IS caught climbing over the Northern lehce
into the richer pastures OF the United States Ills
denortation 10 the domain OF Her Britannia Majesty
might be effected with little difficulty, but for the
unfortunate circumstance that the Canadians have
made a law that every Chinaman entering Canada
shall pay $50 tax. few weeks ago when n Cluna-
man was escorted by a United states marshal to the
border he was confronted by the Queens officer, who
demanded the necessary $50 toll No benevolenuy
disposed person at hand to pay this triulng sum-
and when last heard Of the Chinaman was being tossed
from one side of the fence to the other with no means
OF escape except TO fly up 10 heaven! ~ Chinaman
I'm the middle OF the Suspension Bridge with Uncle
sam p,shpg him from behind, and John Bull showing
him back is q good picture for n comic paper, sug
gested by Dr. S. l.. Baldwin's letter, published ie"
weeks ago in "The Independent
A few weeks ago a sick Clhnaman, member Of
Methodist church in Brooklyn, who had been honor
ably discharged after years OF service In the United
| Hlrn for ~
lie was persuaded by ticket agent, who hope was
not n rascal 10 buy ticket over the Canadian route
The moor Chinaman. who lamentably Ignorant OF
Canadian geography and Canadian laws when he
started his Journey acquired that knowieoge NJ
very painful cost and by lessons that he VIII never
forget. After much delay at the border ne was
allowed TO proceed as merchandise In trHnsltu. On
his arrival at the Vancouver B. c., terminus he was ex
amined and having papers establishing his right to
enter the United States he called upon to deposit
$50 before leaving the station Beng without funds
and without friends, this sick man was locked up
in a cold room without bedding, and guarue1 DAY ahu
night as closely if he were convict or some wiz
beast A Christian Chinaman casually passed along
two days after made his acquaintance informed
Methodist clergyman in the place, who soon PROVIDED
the. man with bedding and Other comforts, ana COM
muncaed with his church friends in Brooklyn whose
TeSe friends lost no time in interesting themselves In
his behalf, undertaking special journey TO see sec
|
sncndence spending much money and consuming
many DAYS At last, after the unhappy man had
spent ten DAYS in close confinement, the matter was
arranged dispatch was received at vancouver, '1s
poor fellow was st at liberty and this ex-servant on
Uncle sam was allowed more TO enter the land
Of the free and continue his journey to san Fran
cisco / listened to the mans recital IN my STUDY
last night with humiliation and made up my nina
that the Ango-Saxon was fast drifting ih'Q par
harism and perition Then there rose up the bright
reeeming picture OF the unsesh benevolence OF thos
Christian people ut Brooklyn and vancouver anu
i' ~ FREDERIC J. MASTERS.
San Francisco, Dec. Il, 1891.