The morning call., 1892-10-02
Its Chinese Registration Ar
ticleS at Washington.
GENT THERE By COLLECTOR QUINN.
"The Calls" TranSIatiOns Of Chinese
Documents Referred 10 in an
Official Report.

the value OF newspaper reports for official
information as that set forth in the follow
ing dispatch.
Forty-fiye articles on Chinese registra-
ffon published in The CaIl" are included
in the report of Collector Quinn on that
Important matter, just received at Wash
tngton.
While "The Call" was publishing article
after article on the subject, giving most
I'm: ortant news in the wy of proclams-
tions from the Six Companies petitions
and other d documents, the other San Fran
cisco morning papers failed to secure the
Information for their readers
One paper-the Observation-Disclosures
to cOunteraet the effect of its failure to get
the news by making false statements. that
''The CalPs'' translstioDs were bogus
and untrustwOrthy.
That THE CaIrs'' accounts were correct
Is shown by the confidence placed in them
by Collector Quinn, who, after due exami-
nation and confederation, incorporated
them in his official report to the Internal
Revenue Department at Washington.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue Mason has received from
the Collector of Internal Revenue at San
Francisco, John c. Quinn, a report concern
ing the registration of Chinese under the
Geary law. MI Quinn incloses a volumi-
nous bundle of clippings from the San
francisco newspapers. nearly all Of them
being taken from THE CALL-in fact. THE
CALLS local articles, editorials and tele-
graphic dispatches are the chief part Of the
report and make a complete and reliable
story of the whole proceedings thus far in
connection with the Chinese registration.
Mr.. Quinn relied implicitly on THE
Calls translation of The Chinese docu-
ments. The Chinese proclamation. printed
In Chinese characters, is filed with the
report, together with The CALLS transla-
tion of it. a San Francisco paper having
alleged that THE CALL had translated a
cholera circular Mr. Quinn attached to the
Chinese proclamation the first Of the paral-
iel columns OF the said San Francisco news
paper. and this column was THE CALLS
translation. This shows how much conf
denee the public officials have in The CALL
as news medium and how lttle in some
OF the other papers.
Collector Quinn says In his report: 'I
herewith inclose newspaper clippings show
ing the average Of the public sentiment on
the Chinese question. The Chinese claim
that the GearY act is an outrage, wrong
and an insult. The newspapers concede 1t
60 be for the best interests OF the citizens ::
that it is right and proper and should be up
held. The Chinese claim that the penalty
cannot be enforced, and the act is unconsti-
'fssranaL The panerTss differ and would up
hold =. ortation. The reports OF my
deputies show that the Chinese are being
fully notified of the act and its requirements.
49, nd
will, however, all be offered an opportunity
10 register, and if they do not do so 1t will
be their own fault
"The newspaper articles inclosed show
that the Six Companies have not only 'ad-
xIsed' not to register. but have issued q
warning that every Chinese in the United
States must pay heod to the full letter and
spirit of the warning. for to ignore IL means
financial ruin and even death to those who
disobey. There is no doubt in my mind
that. until the Six Companies change their
policy and proclamation no Chinese will
dare to comply with the act OF Congress. l
tnclose a copy Of my letter 10 the presidents
Of the Six Companies and the resident Con-
sui, with their replies, which are courteous
but decided. They ignore portion Of my
letter. Their letter Is Of great value be-
cause 1t gives the reasons why, IN their
opinion, the act is unconstitutional and out
lines their defense.
81 shall simply reply to their letter and
continue the canvass of the Chinese camps
and afford all an opportunity to register.
When these papers reach you l would re-
quest that further instructions be sent me.
am fully satisfied that all Chinese, includ-
ing the merchants, desire to register, but
do N aff
are received from their official representa-
tives."
Mr.. Quinn inelosed the reports from Dep
mites McComb, Harper. Roney and Barber
The first describes the reception he met
with in delivering the letters TO the presi-
dents of the Six Companies. Some were
eVasiYe, others curt and all unsatisfactory
Harper tells how the Chinese turned their
backs upon him and would receive no clrcu-
lars from bis hands. Say Roney aDd Bar
Der: All refused to register. Some Chinese
would say, "WiIl register by and by"
The resident Consul has declined to ad-
wise the Chinese to register. and declared
the law invidious and discriminating. The
deputies interviewed some Of the leading
men of the Gee Kong Tong Society, the
rival Of the Six Companies. They say the
latter wishes TO give the former the repu-
tation of being highbInders, which they re-
sent. In consequence they are now discuss
Ing the adyisabiiity OF complying with the
law. The deputies are assured that within
very short time they will have decided to
DO SO, and then the compettlon between
these societies will begin and a rush TO
register will follow. The deputies are of
the opinion that the reason why none OF
these people have registered so far is that
certain lawyers are anxious to make big
fees out of the expected litigation.
Collector Quinn incloses with his report
letter 70 the Six Companies, the reply OF
n
Collectors notice In Chinese. There are
forty-fTe clippings from THE CALL, fifteen
OF which are editorials; twenty-five local
articles, comprising letters to and from the
Chinese companies, in Chinese characters
and translations, the Collectors notice in
the prominent officials, Chinese, ETC.,
together with some specials from Washing
ton. The clipping from THE CALL would
have made upthe complete history without
word more being added.
Commissioner Mason said he could fully
Inform himself of the condition of affairs
by reading these articles which Collector
Quinn had neatly arranged and labeled.
There were eight clippings from the Bull
Ietin, being local articles. editorials and
Washington dispatches, five clippings from
the Chronicle, four from the Examiner, two
from the Post and one seyen-line editorial
gquib from the Stock Report
Collector Quinn evidently does not attach
much importance 10 the last, for he says in
his report: There has been so far no
paper of prominence that has adopted the
Chinese view of the Geary act"
In reference to the letter of the Chimes Q
companies declaring ut is true that the
regulations of the Secretary OF the Treasury
provide for tile registration of persons
other thanlaborers. but we do not find any
provision for such registration and in abb
sence of the Law requiring or authorizing
Il, such certificate would be absolutely
wortnIess," Commissioner Mason said to
THE CALL correspondent to-day that the
presidents of the Six Companies were
wrong and he stated that the Geary act pro-
yided that Chinese, other than laborers,
may have certificates issued them If they
apply for them.
In answer to Dir. Quinn's request for
further instructions Commissioner Mason
to-day sent him letter instructing him to
- .i...,a hia Of arts To recister all Chinese