Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-15
RECALCITRANT CHlNAMEN.
The ''si1 Companies" Urging Chinamsr
Not to Register.

Not to Register.
SAN Francisco, Sept 1.-THE Con-
solidated Benevolent Association Of the
Six Companies, a powerful Chinese or
Ranization, better known rs 1.-THE
Six Companies" which comprises all
the wealthy Chinese merchants Of the
country and which, together with the
Chinese consular officers, regulates the
affairs of the Chinese in this country,
has issued proclamation from head
quarters in this city, forbidding Chin
csc In the United States TO comply with
the terms Of the Gcary bill requiring
them to register and have themselves
identified by two white witnesses and
be photographed before April, 1898.
The proclamation states that the
members Of the Six Companies. after
careful investigation, have found that
the registration law Is Objectionable
and detrimental TO their interests. 1t
continues:
:Our countrymcn must live In these
United States without being registered.
Our countrymcn must not get registered,
and II one should do So ON his own uc-
count he must not come to us In case
he gets into trouble in this country.
"The Six Companies will pay no at
tention TO him IL he does When man
does register he loses rcspcctability In
the eyes of his countrymcn. This APP
plies to Cinnamon living in any part of
the country aud In small towns as well
as large cities. II, by refusing to regis
ter, man is imprisoned or punished,
he can depend ON the Six Companies for
relief"
Tho proclamation states that Chinese
will BE- required to organize and sub
scribe money for the employment Of
legal aid and II nccc ,sary enlist the SER
vices of the Chinese ambassadors To
fight against this alleged injustice.
Two lawyers have been engaged here
by the Six Companies.
Each Chinese resident IT the United
States is required 10 pay al To the Six
Companies for the exp 'n,c OF u suit to
test tho legality of the registration law
and this money must he paid before
Chinese September The Cinnamon
who do not pay will h prevent ii from
returning To his own country when he
applies TO the Six Companies for his
pass.
The proclamation concludes by say
ing that the United States does not
treat the Chinese right because It com.
pels no other nation to do such things.
and no other nation In the world treats
the Chinese as the United States doe,
Collector Quinn was seen regarding
the action of the Six Companies, aud
said:
"The Chinese have so far neglected
10 register, but do not believe they
will absolutely refuse 10 do 50. We had
eight men who had shipped ~ mess
boys on one OF the United states cruis-
ers come around 10 register, and after
explaining the matter they went to get
their pictures taken. They have not
returned yet, but we expect they will
show up in II day or two.
at is too early TO say what we pro-
pose doing in the matter but we will
get up good test case when the time
comes. The law does not only state
that after May ,, 1893, Chinese without
registration certificates must DE de-
ported, but 1t also carries AN extra pen
atty of Imprisonment for not over n
year. There is another provision which
provides for the punishment Of those
who refuse 10 register"
Attorney Riordan, who has been en-
gagged by the Six Companies, asserts
that the law Is clearly unconstitutional.