The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-02
SQUIRE ON CHINESE.
The Senator's Able Presenta-
ton of the Case.
COOLIES MUST BE EXCLUDED.
How the Laws Are flcient
Revenue Force on Northern Bor-
der-America for Americans.


--vered the following speech in favor of the
restriction of Chinese immigration:
desire to define my position as to this bill. I
Will first premise by referring briefly to my own
convictions upon the general subject of the ex-
clusion of the Chinese. When l first went to re-
side on the Pacific coast in 1879, like many an
other who has been educated in New York and
New England, was inclined to think there was
too much prejudice against the Chinese, and
perhaps persecution of them. I was inclined to
take the humanitarian view and to believe
that our country was so grand and
no strepg that it could safely with
stand the friendly incursions Of the people OF
China without danger to our civilization. Dur
ing my residence in Seattle, between 1879 and
1854, met q number of Chinese merchants who
were engaged In legitimate business upon
somewhat extensive scale for the size OF the
place / remember in particular the firm OF
Wa Chong Is being one that was well thought
OF BY the citizens of Seattle The members OF
this firm owned their own real estate and the
city had let to them extensive contracts for
street work which had been executed satisfact-
orily. found the manager of this establish
ment to be an able and honorable business
man; and by reason of meeting q few Of this
class OF Chinese had come to be very favorably
disposed toward them. soon found, however,
that there were great many Chi
nese of different order there,
and on visiting the cities of Tacoma,
Olympia, Portland and San Francisco, ascer-
tained from personal observation that a very
large portion of the Chinese on the Pacific coast
are OF kind whose presence is deleterious to
the best interests of society In the years 1854,
1885 and 1856 happened to occupy the position
OF governor of the territory of Washington, and
during that time had occasion to investigate
this subject officially, by reason OF the strong
hostile feeling then prevailing in all those cities
and places in the vicinity of Puget sound.
During part of this time there had been an
unusual depression in business in that country
as result Of the great business failures of 1873
The work upon the railroads of that country
had been to large degree suspended, and many
OF the laboring class were without employment.
A profound feeling of dissatisfaction and unrest
prevailed among the masses, and hostility
against the Chinese was developed to q remark
able degree. Public meetings were held, at
which heated discussions prevailed The
Chinese were attacked and driven from the
mines and their habitations destroyed. In en-
other instance they were driven from the hop
yards in Squak valley, where they had Leen
given work: their tents were burned and several
OF them were killed. At another time they
were driven out OF Tacoma by an organized
body OF citizens, which the sheriff of the county
and his posse could not control, and their dwell
ings were burned.
An attempt was also made to drive them out
OF the city Of Seattle, where happened to be at
the time, but in consequence OF the vigorous
measures adopted including the employment OF
the militia OF the territory and the subsequent
support OF United States troops, this attempt
was unsuccessful. Every effort was made by
me in four OF the large counties to protect the
Chinese, as it was my duty to do; and have
been given to understand that the Chinese gov
eminent was satisfied with the action of the
United States government in Its endeavor to
carry out the spirit and the letter of the treaty
These trying events led me to understand, as /
have never done before, the intense feeling of
antagonism that is seated in the breasts OF the
great body of our laboring people In reference
to the Chinese.
In my official report to the government, dated
October !, 1886. stated as follows:
The fact is not to be disguised that the people
OF the Pacific coast, with very few exceptions,
possess spirit of hostility toward the Chinese
residents, and although o large proportion OF
our citizens entertain feelings OF loyalty and ma.
triotism toward the government yet in several
large towns they are inclined to DO lenient to
those who engage in acts hostile to the Chinese,
cure convictions of this class of offenders
against the law. This feeling has been greatly
the terms OF the so-csIled restriction act, large
to cross the border from British
tSaunh an, IN defiance OF the law, and
inent to employ sufficient force in the customs
department TO prevent such unlawful incursions
by Chinese, 1t has been found that with the
limited customs force at its disposal the govern
ment is practically unable to enforce the ex-
clusion OF the Chinese under the terms of the
law The letter OF the secretary of the treasury
copy here inclosed), dated December 9, 1885 ex-
plicitly states that "the appropriation hereto
fore made by congress for carrying out the re-
quifements OF said act is entirely exhausted,
and that at present 1t Is impracticable for the
department to take any measures other than
those already taken to prevent the landing and
entrance OF unauthorized Chinese lsborers In
United States territory"
may be permitted to urge the view which ia
naturally taken by American residents of the
Pacific coast-thati It is important to have that
country settled by free American laborers who
have respect for the institutions and laws of our
country; who will establish permanent homes
and who will rear their families and train their
even its humblest sphere. The presence OF
Chinese in large numbers has heretofore been
necessary. perhaps. in prosecuting works of
great magnitude, like our transeon tinental rail-
ways, at a time when no other laborers could be
procured in sufficient numbers; and even now
this class of labor is being used I'm the con-
Northern Pacific railroad. But the hivinS
OF hordes OF Chinese in the towns is
thought to interfere with the healthy
growth and development OF society. and is n
constant source OF uneasiness and dissatfsfac-
ton to the white laborer. Its effects are seen in
bringing reproach upon certain kinds of humble
Chinese
have families; they generslly reside in disrenu
table quarters: they do not consider themselves
permanent residents of our country; they live
with as meager expenditure as possible aud send
their surplus earnings abroad to their own
country. In cases of interferenae with the
rights of Chinese, the courts have done ALI thar
was possible to protect them; and in compliance
with the terms OF the treaty, with your instruo-
tions, aud with the request of the secretary of
Gtste, l. as the executive of the territory have
exerted every lawful power TO insure their
safety.
Mr. President. the fact ia that then becsm.
satisfied of the great injury TO our own people
from the presence of Chinese In any considera.
BILE numbers, and that to promote domestic
tranquility 1t was necessary that our govern
ment adopt more vigorous measures than Il had
ever adopted then or has adopted since to en-.
force the exclusion of Chinese The first point
make is the inefficency OF our government in
carrying out the provisions OF the laws which
have already been enacted. Every year since
1854 the attention of the government has been
called to the inadequacy of the customs force
on the northern frontier for the enforcement of
the acts for the restriction OF Chinese immigra-
ton.
Senator Squire referred to the small
force guarding the British Columbia
boundary and the lack of swift revenue
cutters, and continued:
Reference has been made BY the honorshl.
senator from New Hampshire (Chandlerl to the
fact that was engaged as chairman of the sub-
committee which was instructed By congress tn
make the last congressional investigation unon
the Chinese question. While 1 was with hi,
committee it took testimony in six cities.
namely: Spokane, Port Townsend, Seattle. Ia
CONS, Portland and San Francisco The testi.
mony OF the collector of the district on the
northern frontier ami of all his subordinates
who were summoned Is conclusive as to the
point that there is not any thing ike ,uficisn.