The record-union., 1897-09-04

formation certainly has a remedy at the
hands of the law, and one successful suit
in this direction would do more to re-
form the abuses of journalism than all
| the denunciation which would be writ
ten. Denunciation appeals only to con-
science. Where conscience is wanting,
money damage is the only remaining
appeal.
The Federal law against the importa-
ton of paupers was enacted in response
to the demand of the people. They
could see no reason whatever why for
eign countries should pour their pau
pers into this land to be supported at
the expense of the taxpayers of the
United States. Some weeks ago the
Salvation Army in Honolulu found on
its hands five orphan children who
must be supported and cared for by
some one. The army in that city de-
clared itself incapable of caring Tor
these unfortunate ones, and applied to
its comrades in San Francisco for help
That branch Of the organization cor
responded with its colleague. and the
children were shipped to California.
Arriving in the port of San Francisco
they were refused the privilege of land
ing because they were liable to become
public charges, unless some one would
file a sufficient bond that they should
not become dependents upon the public.
The army officers in San Francisco
thereupon, while not assailing the law,
plainly gave it to be understood that
they thought it a hardship and be-
sought sympathy for their work in at
tempting to land the dependents. There
was an appeal for some one to file
bond, and wealth finally responded, al
ter fll-concealed sensationalism had at
tempted to work up public feeling in
the matter 1t is well enough to secure
the bond. but we protest that there Is
nothing in the case to grow sympathet-
ically hysterical over, or TO be made the
motor for public plaudits. There has
been no distinct gain to the country by
the importation of the orphans. The
incident will be used in some quarters
to incite animosity against the law.
Yet the law is the product of public de-
mand. the result of the decision of the
American people that this land shall
not be made the almshouse of the
world. Of course hearts beat tenderly
for these unhappy Swedish orphans. 1t
is a sad case, but the law exists and
its executors have nothing to do but
obey and enforce it. If, in this in
stance, they should wink at its viola
ton. in what case should they be hon
est? Humanity is with the children IN
sympathy, but the support of the law
is essential to our well being, and Of the
thousands of orphans with u.s. Let hu-
man sympathy go out to the dependents
sent from Honolulu, but let us honor
compliance with the law that regards
our own households as dearer than
those of the strangers beyond our gates.
1t was a piece of impudence on the part
of the Honolulu Salvation Army people
to order the children sent to Califor-
MIA without providing for their lawful
landing in advance. The Salvation
Army does not yet own the country
and it's officers must be taught that
American restriction laws are made
to be respected and obeyed. Neither
the Salvation Army nor any other or
ganization is justified by religion, hu-
man sympathy or broad philanthropy
in making this the dumping ground
for foreign paupers; not even if they
are to be maintained and cared for in
the refugees of the Salvation or any
other army, since all these institutions
in the United States are supported by
the American people; sustained by the
dollars begged from them, and, un-
happily, there are enough Of our own
unfortunates to fill all the asylums we
have. If the army has surplus char
ity to expend, they do not need to go
out of the country for objects upon
which to shower it. Right in our own
city we have a society struggling daily,
pitifully, to find homes for children
who are orphans, abandoned or rescued
from vicious surroundings and having
the utmost difficulty in seraping togeth-
er means sufficient to relieve the dis
tress among unhappy children whose
human rights are invaded by cruelty
neglect, poverty and orphanage. We
have not the slightest disposition to de-
tract from the good work of the Saliva
ton Army in the exercise of its chari-
ties, but it should promptly inform its
branches abroad that the people of the
United States have laws which forbid
the importation of those who are liable
/ to become public charges, that these
laws viii be enforced and that it makes
no sort OF difference whatever that the
hat of an imported pauper is chalked
by the mark of the Salvation Army post
in a foreign land.
Evidently Klondike chickens are al
ready coming home to roost in the yell
low press hen house. The thing has
been over done in booming the North
west gold fields. and now comes the re-
action But sensational journalism will
brazen it out and presently be found
berating those who went in too late. i'll
prepared, and too numerously. for the
fools that they are in accepting as
verify The lurid stories of the sensa-
tionalist.