The morning call., 1892-09-17
QUINN TO THE CHINESE.
The Collector Writes an Epistle Directe
TO the Six Companies.

The Collector Writes an EpistIe Directed
TO the Six Companies.
John McComb, Deputy Collector of In
ternal Revenue, who is In charge of the
registration of the Chinese residents of
this city, visited Chinatown yesterday
morning.
lie bad six big envelopes in his capacious
pockets.
Each contained a letter from Collector
Quinn addressed to president Of Chinese
company and each was like the others.
The general was received by the various
presidents, but not one Of them by word or
sign gave any indication of what his senti-
mentS or feelings were in regard to the con-
tents OF the communication. The following
is a copy of the letter given TO each of the
princes:
Sir: Ii has been brought 10 my notice that
you, as Oac OF The principal heads or presidents
OF the society known aud called the "Chinese
SIX Comp Mes" have uttered a proclamation 10
all The Chinese 10 the United States. This proc
lamati0n Is SUI posed or understood TO call the
attention of the Chinese lAboTers TO the require
ments Of the law passed by Congress and ap-
proved by the President OF the United States,
MAY ., 1892 directing all Chinese laboIers 10
register Win the Collectors OF Internal Revenue.
The proclamation is also underst God TO direct
such labofers not TO comply with the said law,
and uil0nS them OF certain losses and other
eurailments OF privileges TO lie imposed by the
said Six Companies in case the said laborers reg
lister contrary o the proclamation.
l would now cali your attention to the printed
copy herewith OF what purpoTtS 10 be your proc
lamation, referred TO above. and II IL Is a true
and correct copy as TO The instructions not 10
register. etc. l shall be pleased 10 send your
answer 10 the Secretary OF the Treasury and 10
the Commissioner OF Internal Revenue at Wash
iGgtOn.
] would call your attention to certain facts
that you should duly consider that you may ad-
wise your e0untymeD as 10 their best interests,
md rnrF fharv lle rt.aEr rffrItF 70
main IN this country, where their business and
other interests are now centefed. III you give
advice or orders to Chinese laborers that should
hereafter prove to be erroneous, you may cause
them 10 be subject 10 1ne and Imprisonment and
also 10 be deported 10 their own country. against
their desire and against their welfare. In that
case they, as a matter OF course, weuld ana
should bold you responsible for such erroneous
advice. In that case you might be liable TO a
suit for person damages by thr persons injured
and besides II Is question yet TO be determined
II you would not be responsible 10 the Govern
ment of The United ales for melting people 10
dlsobey the laws and Tor dl Getting that they act
IN direct antagOnism 10 the laws OF Congress
On the other hand II you should advise or di.
rect them TO comply With tile law, and register
required. all danger OF deportation would be
avoided and no possible harm could follow such
registration. You also would be protected
against any harm or danger Their right TO re-
main, TO travel, 10 transact business, 10 visit
China ana return, would be clearly established
forever. Their rights would be to such extent
established under the United States Govern
ment
II you cause delay on their part any consider
able time. it viii be impossible for the Govern
ment TO provide the necessary facilities for reg
isterlng all the Chinese within The specified
time. There are nearly $1,000 Chinese within
my district, and II is maniiestly impossible for
M to register them all IN one minute. one day.
one weeK or one month. In other words, must
have sufficient lime TO do the WORK.
would further state that there Will be no eX-
pense TO the Chinese for sueh registration, ex-
eept the expense Of three photographs, which
will not exceed so cents as there are many who
VIII contract TO furnish the three at that price
My deputies viii travel from place TO place
wherever the Chinese are located. and thus give
all ample opportunity TO comply with the law
without loss OF time or money.
/ am now ready aud willing 10 register all who
may apply aud II they do not apply now many
will be unable to register who may desire 10 do
so hereafter. am Informed by many IN whose
word have full confidence that they are anxious
and willing TO register I'D order to secure their
rights OF residence, but that they cannot do so
until your advice or proclamation Is Withdrawn.
1t Is now five months since the passage OF the
act, aud no registration has yet taken place;
there remains seven months. but even working
the full force OF men allowed, and at their full
capacity, IL would take about all the balance Of
the time 10 register the number supposed TO re-
Quire our services. Further delay Will naturally
reduce the time until IL will be Impossible TO reg
lister all who should apply. The others must SUI
fer The penalty OF the law. J. therefore, take this
opportunity to ask you TO define your position
clearly aud unmistakably.
Have you power, as is stated, to cause all the
Chinese laborers not TO register? Have you so
directed?
IL you have the power, and am Informed that
you have, TO cause the Chinese labOrers to regis
ter will you kindly state II such orders have been
or Will be issued?
An immediate reply Is requested that further
action may be taken. Respectfully.
JOHN &. QUINN, Collector.
Collector Quinn stated yesterday that he
had not the least idea what he should do If
the Six Companies admitted having issued
the proclamation.
He would, however. communicate with
the Commissioned of Internal Revenue at
Washington and await instructions. The
Collector thought that the Chinese would
soon begin to register, and that before an
other month should pass he would have at
least 2500 on his books.