The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-28
THE CHINESE,
Gov. Tools's Correspondence With
Secretary Foster Of the Treas
ury Department.
Montana Made q Favorite Dump
Ing Ground From the Gam
adian Border.
The Govarnor says New Legislation Must
Ne Prolibitory II Responsive 70
Popular Demand.

Gov. Tools makes public his correspond
enco with tho treasury department. regard
ing the Chinese exclusion act. Undor date
Foster, secretary OF tho treasury, - FOL
lows: ~ have the honor to reptesent That
information ia abundant to show that vio-
lations Of the not entitled An act to pro-
hibit the coming Of Chinese laborsrg to the
United States approved Sept. 18, 1888, are
Of frequent occurrence along the boundary
line between the United States and the
Northwest Territory, and especially at
points whore the northern limo Of the state
Of Montana bounds the Northwest terri
tory.
II have reason to believe that there is
an organized gang engaged in secretly in
Producing these unlawful immigrants into
this state with headquarters along the line
OF the CANADIAN Pacific railroad. The
sparssly settled section of country contip-
uous TO our northern boundary makes our
state Q f~avorits dumping ground for Chin
sss who are the objects Of this illicit traffic.
For many years Chinese, in limited
numbers, have resided in this state enjoy
ing equal protection Of the laws. Their
presence in comparatively small numbers
has excited no hostility against them1n1t the
past, but the constant and visible swelling
of that population within the past year
continues to be tho subject Of much aRita-
tion and severe criticism. I beg to assure
you that this spirit OF unrest and hostility
which pervades certain sections of this
state ia not based upon q capricious or
causoless change Of sentiment concerning
these people, but in good faith upon the
notorious violations of a public statute.
II feel constrained, therefore, IN behalf
Of the people of this state. to urge upon the
United States q vigorous prosecution Of all
violations of the exclusion act, n the
prompt return to China Of all persons who
are here in violation Of law.
"If q corps of officers representing our
government, possessing consnmmate cour-
wers distributed in convenient and proper
places along the frontier. ! believe that this
gang of unla wful operators could be soon
suppressed, and reasonable immunity from
future complaint on that account be as
sured. have the honor to b your obsdi-
ont servant, Jos. X. IOOLE.
Governor Of Montana.
In answer to this the acting secretary Of
the treasury department. under date of
Dec, % last wrote: II have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your communities
tion of the 9Th inst, in relation to the I'M
lawful introduction of Chinese into the
United States, and in reply to, say that
Special Agent J. ]. Crowley. whose official
address is st. Paul, Mimi, will DO directed
TO confer with you in relation to the subject
as soon a. soon az the current business Of
his office will permit. Instructions have
been sent to Agent Crowley, with the view
to the adoption of special measures to pro-
hibit the traffic referred to-"
Gov. Toole says nothing has been heard
of Agent Crowley yet, and that he has no
information that any steps have been taken
to the end indicated in his letter to the
secretary. The governor SAYS 9 legisla-
tion is required for the future, and, If it ID
responsive to the popular demand, must be
prohibitory.