The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-25
MORE MONEY DEMANDED
The Chinese Six Companies Have
Made Another Assessment on
Their Subjects.
Those Who Do Not Pay Cannot
Return to Their Native
Land.
The Latest Circular in Line With What
Has Been Done In Defiance of
Uncle Sam.

Cinnamon in Montana are to be bled
again by the Chinese Six Companie on 40
count Of the Geary act. Several months
ago the Six Companies sent forth letter
Addressed to all the Cinnamon in the United
States. The document in the most vigor-
ous language. denounced the United States
for passing law that disor i'm I'M ated against
the Chinese. 1t further alleged that the
Geary act was unconstitutional and would
be so declared by the United States court.
For the purpose OF bringing a case before
the supreme court and paying eminent
legal counsel, a contribution Of at least 81
was demanded of evety Chinese resident in
the United States. Those who profess to
be familiar with Chinese affairs assert that
the Six Companies received fully $50. 600 in
answer to their circular. and many believe
they realized more. Not content with that
the Six Companies have issued another cir
cular. copies Of which have been received
here. The translation is as follows:
To All Chinese: Every Chinese is ex-
pay the expense of EN- nloy ing five attorneys
to fight the Geary law at Washington.
Every one IL commanded not to register,
After Auril 20 each Chinese will be expected
to pay SIS to the Six Companies instead OF
81 Those who do not pay will not be
given papers to return to China.
As the Six Companies nre the principal
representatives of tho Chinese people in
this country and tho Chinese upon retur n
ing to China must bear a certificate from
them, it is readily seen how potent this
latest threat becomes. 1t is the ambition
OF the Chinese to return to their native land
at some time, and they would just as soon
cut off their queues as to be deprived OF
that privilege. Those who have not paid
the 5 assessment will pay this last demand
because they dare not refuse. They may
even register without the knowledge of tho
Six Com panies. in order to make sure of
remaining in this country. but they will
pay the taxiimposed by the Six Companies,
just the same.
Many explanations have been attempted
of the opposition of the Six Companies to
the Geary act but the one most generally
accepted Is that by its enforcement they
will be deprived of a very lucrative branch
of business, that of smuggling Cinnamon
into this country. They contract to land
the Cinnamon for $500 apiece. while the
actual expense does not exceed $150. 1t is
also thought that had tho six Companies
not gone 80 far In the matter of fighting the
law their opposition would have ceased
with the elimination of the photograph
regulation. Since the photographs were
done away with a certificate of registration
for one Chinaman, under the manipulation
OF the orainy men who manage the affairs
of the Six Companies, may be made to an
swer for any number who conform to the
original description. Fer the purpose OF
defeating registration the latest circular
was not necessary. Very few have regis-
tered comparatively The greater portion
of those who have. did 80 because of the in-
tuence of their American employers.
The opposition of the Six Companies to
the government III this N after has startled
every body bv its bold defiance. The Geary
Six Companies command the Chinese not to
registes. In one circular they commanded
their people not to register under the pen
alts of death. and it had the desired effect.
Before its issuance large numbers were ap-
plying for certificates, but since only few
have avsiled themselves of the privilege.
For the purpose of creating sympathy for
their race among the people of ths east
they have magniied tho regulations made
by the sec etary of the treasury for the on
forcement of tn, law until some who were
unacauainted with the regulations have
protested against hsr dships that have not
existed. The regulations as first promui-
gated provided for the payment Of fes by
the applicant not to exceed 81. which would
be compensation for tbs collector Of inter
nal revenue. Before repatriation began
the secretary of the treasury decided that
no fee should be exaoted, and that the
collector would be entitled to no
extra compensation for the work. A
hue and ory was then raised against
furnishing photographs, the Chinese claim
ing that the government was gathering a
collection that might be referred to as IL
"iogue's gallery" They also claimed that
it was inconyenient to furnish two wit
nesses. The secretary of the treasury. in
response to these objections presented by
the Chiness and their sympathizers. in
stracted the collectors to discontinue the
use of photographs and accept the testi-
mony of one creditable witness. The reHu-
lations are now very simple. and there are
no Rrounds for complaint. Still the Chinese
do not register in any very large numbers.
just what will be done after May 5 is not
known. The opinion prevails that nothing
will be done until the United States su-
pteme court has passed upon the oonstitu-
:iouality of the law. The department of
justice will enforce the law. bat thus far ID
has given no indication OF its Intentions.
May is rapidly drawing near, and speou-
lation MS to what will bs done is increasing.
The enforcement of this law will be watched
with z eat interest. not only by Americans
but by the people of all nations.
Old Liberty Bell