The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-25
GOV. T00LE's REPORT.
What Montana's Governor Has to
Say Regarding Alleged Chinese
Outrages in Butte.
His Investigations Showed That
the Labor Unions Used
No Violencs.
Tho Only Weapon Was tho Boycott =
Cinnamon Have the Same Protec-
ton rs other Residents.

ton as other Residents.
Gov. Toola has sent to Secretary of State
Blaine his formal rspor: on the result Of
his investigation Of the charges that tbs
labor unions of Butte had and were using
violent means to rid that city of it's Chinese
inhabitants. A psrusal of tho report will
show that the governor, assisted by Attor-
n~sy-General Haskell, made n careful in
quiry, the result being that the charges
were proved to to be entirely without iusti-
f~oation. Tho report in full is As follows;
The STATE OF MONTANA,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
HELENA. Feb. %, 1892.
Hon. James G. Blaine. Secretary OF STATE
Washington, D.. c.:
Sir-Further replying to your note OF the
9th inst:, with enclosure from the charge
ad interim of China, at washington. Specl-
flying certain acts or oppression alleesu 70
have been committed by the labor unions
Of Butte City. in this state, UPON his ooun-
trymen residing there, l have the honor to
inform YOU that, accompanied and assisted
by the attorney general OF Montana. ! VS.
tied Butte City, and pursuant to your re-
quest. have Investigated the alleged acts OF
oppression referred to as having occurred
in November, 1891.
Nv investication was public and exhaust
i've. aud revealed tho following state OF af-
fairs.
In tho month of April, 1891, the health
fact tina S41 Chinaman were residing IN
that city. In November. 1881, q census
taken by direction of one or moro labor
organizations showed that the Chinese pop
ulation had increased to 1850. who were
engaged in various occupations at wages
=, go u1x,An fOp tho uo tytn Lind
Of labor performed BY other persons, and
Is tie exclusion Of other worthy PEG
Die. Whersupon the labor organl,,
rations Of Butte City instituted
a "boycott" against the Chinese.
bet did not, in fact, make the same opera.
tive until Jan. L. 1892, since which time it
has been observed by the msmbers OF such
labor organizations. The effect Of this
sboycott' is to withdraw from the Chinese
residing there all patronage Of members OF
the various unions, bat in no instance has a
labor union directly or indirectly used force
can it BIS shown that in any assault COM
mitted on Chinese, that the asssilant was a
member Of a labor union. Whatever may
be said of the propriety Of "boycottlna" by
nj ans of which people, or q class Of people,
voluntarily withdraw their patronage from
prevent it. A person living under the pro-
lection of this state has a right to ADOPT
and follow any lawful industrial pursuit
not injurious to the community, which he
NAV see fit, but we are too far removed In
time and craftsmanship from the age when
governmental projects assumed to super
wise a large range of affairs long since. in
all enlightened lands, regarded IS outside
Of governmental functions. to acknowledge
a duty or obligation to patronize or SUP
port such person in his business or en-
%ployment.
Not an instance was brought to my
notice, nor do 1 believe thnt one can be
found, where force or. violence was en-
ployed to enforce any demand of the
unions.
It is believed BY the Cinnamon with whom
] talked that the boycott" Is effective, and
that they cannot long stand out against it.
1t is fair to say in this connection that
the Chinese are not the only persons who
ara the objects of "boycotts' at Butte City,
but that Sundry merchants and other pei
sons, without regard to nationality, are
embraced within it, and so published to
the world.
Nor do I think it proper to withhold from
you the info nation that there appears to
be No community of interests between the
Chinese and these unions, in fact the latter
are emphatic in their opposition to their
further admission into this country. and l
may add that this feeling is general, and
confined to no political party.
1t is doubtless true that isolated cases of
assaults upon Cinnamon have occurred at
Butte within the last three months. The
persons committing the assaults belong to
the criminal classes and in nearly every in
stance were prompt ly arrested and pun
ighed. The court records show that during
the present month four persons were tried,
convicted and sentenced for offenses COM
mitted against the persons and property of
Chinese.
am confident that the charge of extort-
s-, r. fp>,,, Fhjpaon lam RI ~ NJ a ~ Lv
force and violence grew out Of the arrest of
one Arthur Fowler on Jan. lG. 1892, who
entered Il laundry, demanded money, and
in default of which fired at the keeper and
beat him about the head with his pistol.
The most Intelligent Chinaman whom I
met in Butte, and who represented his
countrvmen in the investigation, told me
that he knsw Of no other case where a sim
liar demand was made, and that the consul
general at San Francisco, who formulated
the complaint, had misupderatood the pur-
port of the teleg, am cent him on the sub
iect. Fowler has been in jail since his ar
rest, awaiting his trial 1T a regular term of
court. Hs was. on the 18th inst. tried and
convicted of the crime of assault with in
tent to kill. and sentenced to the state
peniteotiary for two years. l enclose a
copy of the information, testimony and
judgment for your inspection.
know OF no offcnss committed against
the person or property Of Chinese in that
city whore diligence has not been used to
arrest the offenders.
The most recent case that has come to
my attention is the burning of a Chinese
laundry about ten days ago at Menderville,
a few miles distant from Butte. Warrants
for the arrest of tho guilty parties were
immediately put into the hands of the
sheriff Of the county, who has made, and
is making every endeavor to apprehend
them. and in the event of a failure SO to do,
then l am assured that a special grand jury
will be called, thereby affording ampler
facilities TO that end.
| enclose a letter from the sheriff of Sill
yer Bow county, showing that no discrim-
NATION is made against Chinese in that
county, but that they receive tho same pro-
lection afforded other residents of the city
and county.
Trusting that the foregoing report may be
satisfactory to the charge I'D interim of
China. at Washington, and his countrvmeu.
l have the honor to be, your obedient SER
want. DOS. X. 1ooLE,
Governor of Montana.
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