The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-03
Mr. Riggs, of Tacoma. Makes
Unconditional Surrender.
HIS COOKS SENT OUT OF TOWN.
Committee of Fifteen Bigger Than
Chamber of Commerce.
Ihe Merchants by Resolution Con-
demned the Agitation. but Privately
They Urged Riggs to Give Up-He
Is Indignant over the Invasion OF
His Kitchen.

Tacoma, Jan. -SpeclaL-The fat has
gone forth that the Chinese are not wanted
in Tacoma, and will not be tolerated here.
The anti-Chluese committee OF fifteen is
sued the edici several weeks ago. when
Thomas Riggs, formerly Of Washington
city, employed Two Mong0lian servants in
his residence on North Yakima avenue. Mr
Riggs demurred on receipt Of the commit
tees manifesto; and. the demurrer being
oYerruied az an anu-Chinese mass meet
.ng called BY the aforesaid committee. Mr..
Riggs appealed 10 the Chamber Of Com
merce, a body representative of the busi-
ness and Social element OF the city. The
chamber met. adopted a long statement,
which had been prepared by the trustees,
containing many glittering gene-alities.
but no reference to Mr.. Riggs or his Chi
neSe. II vas nearly, II not quite, a
'straddle." although the chamber came
out strong for the maintenance OF law
and order. But II the chamber sought TO
speak the sentiments Of the best people
IN town" it was talking in the air, for Mr..
Riggs has received SO many hints from the
members Of the body, the Union Club and
other people living in the north end about
the undesirahility Of the celestials. and
the uRwisdOm Of employing them as cooks
that today he dismissed his servants ani
saw them safely aboard :he train for
Olympia
L.
! came 20 the conclusion few days ago.
after talking the matter over with several
o. my friends. that IL would be for the
hest 10 allow my two Chinese servants to
90. ] did not employ them because pre-
ferred the Mongol.ans, but because II vas
next 10 impossible 10 get good white ser
wants. came 10 Tacoma to live think
Ing ! would be allowed 10 conduct my prl-
Fate affairs quietly and In my own way,
without meddling from outsiders. on the
contrary, have been subjected To so much
annoyance and newspaper discussion
about matter so completely within my
own household that I do not see how il
could interest any one outside OF my fam
iiy. This agitation had become so per
slstent and distasteful that I got tired and
gave up ] did not mind the talk Of the
committee Of fifteen. but offered to submit
my case to the Chamber OF Commerce.
The matter involved sacred rights and
privileges OF a citizen. The chamber
stood by me IN meeting. but I have since
learned that many members of that body
do not approve OF my action. ! was also
advised by some members Of the Union
club and elsewhere that it would remove
disturbing factor in the community II I
would discharge my servants and that
they We're not wanted here I did not de-
sire 10 run contrary TO the public sentiment
of the city, and so decided to send the Cha
nese away
Mr.. Riggs lease Of his residence ex-
plres June next. He doesnot contemplate
leaving Tacoma at once but says his
plans are not settled. He is expecting 10
visit Seattle in a day or two
The anti-Chjnese committee Will recall
the notice of a mass meeting for January
u. in view of Mr. Riggs action. II Is nm
derstood nothing further will be done by
the committee.