Evening star., 1897-01-16
MONGOLIAN ELECTORS,
The Chinese Vote in California Will
He an Important Factor.

From the san Francisco Call
The isolated patter of one pair Of Chi
nese baby feet In noisome China alley
Few years ago would have caused a fiut-
ter. Almond eyes, olive skim jaunty can
rustilng sllken garments, snowy white lit
tie shoes, braided "pigtail'' which cscil-
lated like a pendulum, long finger nails
ard there the little pagan who pio-
neered a long array of similarly attired
other little pasans out from chinese bowels
into the sunshine and fearless freedom In
the open air. A native-born citizen, the
American eagle seemed not whit proud
Oh MIN; a native son, California was ready
to repudiate him
Now the patter of one pair of feet .s sue
ceeded by the sound OF legioas. In China
towns dirty pprieus an infantfle army has
been reared. Two yea-s ago the school
census takers found LOO Chinese children
OF school age. There are not less Than -
cS native sons and daughters in San Fran
ciscoS Chinatown in whOs veins Chinese
blood flows, and who are lawful heirs of
American citizenship. A small army OF
McnSols is marching leisuraly along the
dusty highway of time toward the ballot
box.
This phase of the Chinese question does
not appear to have beea Cully compre-
hended. But not later than the year 1920.
at the present birth rate in Chinatown,
and supposing average conditions regard
ing mortality to obtain, il is clear as
anything can be that something like 800
Chinese children will be entitled to the bal
lot OF san Francisco alone. Sacre mento
Stockton, Los Angeles, San Jose, and, in
fact, nearly all communities in California
have also their native-5crn Mongolian ba-
bies who are on their way to citizenship.
Not less than 400 native-torn Chinese
voters Will De in the field of politics in 1870
in California-enough with alliance with
some large political party and with a unit
ed front, to carry a state election; enough
to settle the presidential election # Cali
fornia should be the pivotal state, conced-
ing that the strength of parties should be
somewhat nearly divided.
Surely the students of political history
must see something curious in this not
very remote contingency. Less than one
quarter OF one century may see dragon
flags flying from the roofs of Chinese jess
houses, from the tops of buildings in which
fan-tan games abide, and from scores of
buildings reeking with filth and smelling
to heaven in celebration Of the election
of candidate of the Chinese for governor
or even for President Of the United States
of America, or Congressman, or mayor or
supervisor. There may even come a time
when bonfires will burn in Chinatown and
Chinese gongs and other alleged musical
Instruments be sounded 10 eaten the Mon
golian vote, and wagons carry rlp and
down the steep slopes advice to Chinese
Americans to vote for Ah Jow or Tom Lee
Tor sherlH or mayor, or some otner equally
important office
Chinese. it is well known, have strong
lamlly attachments. The head of family
directs all others, who obey him impliciily
Unquestioning obedience gives the ideal
conditions required for heachmen of a
political boss. Another queer feature en-
grated upon the American political sys-
tenn In San Francisco will he the influence
of aged Chinese who have no vote them
selves, but who will have power 10 insure
now numbers of votes will be cast. The
Chinese patriarchs, with goat-like boards
will be bosses of the most approved SORT
This is certain enough