The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-27
PRICE FIVE CENTS
THE PIG-TAIL QUESTION
Discussed as to its Local hearings, =
Assembly, HAIL.

discussed as to Its Local bearings, Ut
Assembly HAIL.
At the meeting in Assembly hall last
night Michael Corbett stated, before tho
talking commenced. that II committee
which had been appointed two weeks ago
to prepare statistics of tho unemployed
white people In Helena had not yot re-
ported. He gaid probably the committee
were afraid of a few bighbinders who wore
hanging about the street corners to scalp
them. The Knights of Labor, of which he
WAS member, did not propose to persecute
anyone. They wished to call the attention
Of the public to the fact that there were
quito number Of white people In Helena
| anxious and willing to work, but cannot
find IL. Furthermore, he said there was n
whole lot of work that is called manual
which these unemployed would like to get.
but cannot because there are those in
Hslena who prefer Chinese cheap labor. II
the proposition was to be carried on any
further, Mr.. Corbett was in favor of doing
it in manner that would not be unbecom-
ing American citizens, 80 il would boar the
gcrutiny OF official investigation by the do
partment of state.
Mr.. Corbett was followed by Frank X.
Beck. of the Parisian steam laundry. who
made lengthy argument, during which he
sud that the presence of the Chinese in
Helena undoubtedly effected the interests
~ stAc lhbJLiuk IEOIIg ltfs. IIb LHOu9uG
there were about 500 Chinese in Helena
whose average earnings were about $40 per
week, 5000 II week for them all or $3.50, 600
| year which ls being taken out of the
pockets of the Workingmen. If the ques-
tion III all lta bearings was properly studied
he believed those who are now giving en-
ployment to Chinese would readily consent
% employ white people in their place.
\ a. =. Douglass said there was no use in
talking Of the question. What WAS wanted
was action. Everybody was aware that
Chinese labor permeates almost eyery chan
| mel in the city. "lf we find any one who
wishes to pattonize the Chinese we ehave the
privilege Of letting him alone. The China
man would certainly 90 If he did not get
| employment.
| 4. "A. Burns said he understood the
meeting Was for the purpose Of taking some
action with reference to Il boycott. 'lf any
| one wants to leave the Chinaman alone it is
his privilege" He did not believe in any
force or power about it. Speaking about
the amount of money going ont of the
pockets Of the laboring men, that might be
80 With reference 70 driving the Chinese
out so that the laboring m@n could take
sbelr places, the proposition ought to be fol-
lowed out TO its logical conclusion. Drive
out the jackassss and mules. for that
wonld make more work for the laboring
man, If that is all he wants. Drive out the
perfecting presses and put in the old hand
presses: the change would call for more
elbow grease. He favored striking at the
real cause Of the workingmans trouble. the
money system and the monop oily land
scheme.
Andrew Meyers: ''Let us correct the
thiLg rightly; deal with the lesser evil first
and right tho larger one afterwards. The
Chinese exclusion act is a fake"
William G. Crum, a travelling man who
has lived in Helena about four years, said
be was in favor Of q boycott. He knew Of
instances whore white women had applied
to him for washing. Four applications mad
been made to him III one day by white men
who wanted to saw wood.
Judge Clements was impressed with the
Importance Of considering the national
banking system as being responsible for
many Of the evils now affecting the work
ingman. He had mo sympathy for the pig
tails, but he did not believe in having white
people brought down to their level by
taking the Mongolans' place.
The meeting lasted about three hours,
but no boycott was declared. The secre-
tary was instructed to ask the Alliance in
the Prickiy Pear valley if the farmers not
employing Chinese could supply the CITY
with vegetables in case the Chinese should
leave on account of not being patronized.
The statistics committee on unemployed
white lnbor i'll Helena was requested to re-
port next Friday evening" when another
meeting is to be held.