The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-05-25

TIE supreme court OF the United
States has affirmed the constltut1onal1ty
OF the Geary law which provides for the
Deportation of Chinese not registered by
May /, instant. Three of the judges dis
scented. probably influenced by the mex
pedienoy of the measure and the total
tack of necessity for the existence OF anF
such law. The country certainly must
have the right to enact laws for Its own
protection and it is as competent for 1t
10 provide for the deportation OF people
whose presence is q menace to It's perpet.
nifty and institutions, as 1t is for the
householder to eject an unlimited gueat
who abuses the hospitality extended to
him.
But the Geary law is piece of dema-
gogy. 1t was demanded by the laborers
OF the Pacific coast states and was passed.
not in Difference to their wishes but as
bride offered for their votes. 1t ls mis-
chlevous piece of legislation, just as all
legislation is whose object it Is to secure
votes. 1t is not a whit better or worse
than appeals to foreign born citizens as
foreigners.
The Chinese question is said to be a
difficult one. 1t has become so because
it is not treated from the right point OF
view. If the Chinese were voters no such
law as that which now dlsgraces the
country would have been passed, because
then the very reasons which appealed so
strongly for its enactment would have
appealed Just as strongly for It's defeat.
When political expediency has counter
irritant IN political inexpediency, the
merits of the case may receive some con-
sideration The Chinese voter could
L a., ho Nor
casian voter and his voice would be heard
Just as far and with equal effect.
The Chinese question is now treated
from the standpoint of political expedi
ency and in consequence is not treated
properly. There is no more reason for
the exclusion or deportation of the Chin
ese than there is for like treatment OF
every foreigner who seeks work IN the
United States and thus becomes compe-
titor OF native labor. Labor IN the Pacific
states is by no means as much monopo-
lized by the Chinese as Is labor In the
southern states by the negIoes. Is there
any demand made for tie deportation OF
the negroes?
The Chinese have developed business
trans which have made many of them
wealthy in the United States. They con-
troll the poultry market west of the Mis-
sissippi Valley and practically have con-
troll of the hog market. The checks OF
many Chinese for several thousand dol
lars. will be readily cashed by banks in
these states. One never sees a Chinese
loarer, and rarely Chinese drunkard.
They do not try to run this country, nor
do they force their ideas upon any one
In their business relations with citizens
Of the United States they are Trustworthy
They are not malicious Intermediates but
treat the poor white trash with con-
temptuous indifference. Their quarters
IN San Francisco are no worse than are
those of the Italians and Russian Jews
In New York, and many OF them live as
welI az the best class OF Americans. They
have been of great assistance IN develop
ing the resources of the western country,
are reliable as laborcrs, honest in their
dealings, prompt TO pay their debts, but,
they have no votes. II his is the head
and front of their offending" Were they
voters we might continue to be ruined
Indefinitely by Chinese cheap labor
ana the Caucasian might play ont with
out hlr drance or check by our national
legislators.
The Chinese evil consists in their living
nnder Chinese laws, punIshing offenses
a.ainst their societies in their own way
ano holding aloof from our courts OF JUS
1ice IN matters pertaining to affairs
among themselves. Chinatown is no
more part of the United States, except |
IN proximity aad readiness of access, than |
is Pekin. This condition is tolerated so |
as to create prejudice ind through that |
secure exclusion and deportation. Com |
petition is the real griev2Lce ont 1t bor-
rows argument from the social condl- |
lions which are easy of remedy. The |
Chinamau has assln1ilative qualities |
which will become active if he has no
other alternative. If he is permitted |
TO live isolated. untouched by tho laws
of the country in which be dwells, un-
less he cones 10 conflict with its cIti-
zens. he will remaiG colGnist. Oppres-
sion has forced bin 10 associate with his
follows and taught him TO suspect the
laws which refuse him protection.
The Chinaman 8nder the domination
of the SIX companies is not desirable
resident. But lie can be taught 10 look
TO the laws of the country IS AlS iaSs II
they afford him redress as we'll as threat
en- him with punishment. When the laws
of the land are administered in a spirit |
which will win the confidence Of the
Chinese, they can be enforced SO as TO
command his obedience and that will be
a settlement Of The Chinese Question"
FARM FOR SALE.