The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-09
CHINESE
SLAVERY
MUST STOP
The Petition to the Presi-
dent Endorsed by All
Workers.
IT FILLS A LONG.FELT WANT.
All the Missionaries Are in
Favor of the New Move
Against Bondage.
HAILED WITH OUTSPOKEN DELIGHT.
It Is Looked Upon as Being Direct
Answer to the Prayers of
the Faithful.

Tn e petition to President Mckinley re
garding the slavery which is known to ex-
ist in California seems to have filed
'Iong felt want" in missionary circles and
to have met with responsive CHORD IN the
minds of the people generally.
II was talked of in all parts of the city
yesterday, and several OF the ministers
took occasion to speak of it from their
pulpits. it will be laid before the minis
ters' meeting to-day, and active workers
will take it in hand and push it before the
people in order that 1t may receive several
thousand signatures before it is sent to
the President. Every one seen yesterday
expressed themselves as being very glad
that at last something that looked toward
a definite action had been done, and all
were enthusiastic in support of the new
move.
At the Chinese Consulate no expression
could be obtained, as the Consul General
was absent and those who are under him
did not care to go on record until they
knew exactly how it would be taken by
their chief. They were especially anxious
to know just what was expected be
done by ii, and Just how ii would affect
business of the Chinese in this country.
At the various missions it was hailed
with outspoken delight, and the express
sions OF satisfaction were most heartfelt
in their tones. They have been working
for years among the Chinese and no other
class of people in the world have as good
an idea of what is really going on in China
town.
The Rev. Mr.. Chan, assistant superin-
tendent of the Methodist mission. said
that it came just when the workers were
most praying for it. He said: II have
ong wondered when it would take definite
lshape; when some one would arise and
lead the way out of the depIorable cond
ton which we have combated so long.
This petition is just right. 1t is far from
stating the worst that is to be known
about Chinatown. There can be no ques-
ton bout it doing world of good IN the
work of fighting the great evil which
exists in this City and State. 1 think
every Christian in the City will heartily
indorse the movement, and if Con-
gress will take action and send com nit
tee out here they will have their ewes
opened to a state of affairs that will
astound them"
Mrs. Lake, matron of the Methodist
mission house, said: ut is Just what we
have been wanting for long time. The
petition is certainly the thing that was
most needed in our work. We have done
what we could and have worked in this
part of the City, hop NJ and praying that
the whole people would eventually get
aroused to the true condition which is to
be found among the Chinese in California
San Francisco is not alone in having
slaves or slave-dealers. All over the State
is the same state of affairs and if Con-
gress will take notice of it and see to it
that it is stopped it will do a work that no
one else has ever been able to do. am
sure that L am most heartily in favor of
10 l.
feel that every minister and Christian
worker in the West will do all in TIER
power to have it made effective"
Miss u. M. Cameron, superin tendent of
the Presbyterian Mission Home, said:
at Is just what we have wanted done for
a long time, and have wondered how long
the terrible outrages would be allowed to
90 on in this City before some one would
take it up and begin crusade against it,
The petition is the beginning of most
noble work, and If 1t can be placed forcibly
before Congress and that body takes ac-
ton there is no doubt that we workers in
the missions shall at last be able TO see
realization of our prayers and hopes
The people who do not get in among the
Chinese as we do can never fully under
stand the terrible condition which exists
right in the heart of this City. There is
not day but we receive stories of hor-
rlble occurrences, but as most Of them are
never told until after it is too late to in
terfere We can do very little good in the
individual cases, and can only do what
little is in our power to prevent a repeti-
ton of them. This movement is one
which we have hoped for, and now that
1t Is started | am sure there is not a
Christian in the whole country but will
give it all the assistance in his power"
Miss Ida b. Hull, who has long been
known as one OF the most active workers
q n a i've
has made many rescues of slave girls from
the terrible conditions with which thew
were surrounded, said: at is sometime
that Will do more good than can be I'M
derstood by any one who has not been
right among the Chinese people. think
1t is most timely, and believe that II Con-
gress will take action now 1t will 90 far
toward roofing out the evil things that
are constantly going on among the Chi
nese. The petition is just right and does
not state the case any too strong II
could not do that, for the facts of outraees
| among the Chinese slave-owners can never
be fu ly told. They can hardly be fully
appreciated even by those who see them
almost every day. l am sincerely glad
that this step has at last been taken and
am sure it will have good effect on the
work.
Miss Marga; ct Lake, who has devoted
her lie 10 work among the Chinese of This
City, was most enthusiastic regarding the
petition. she said: who can now saw
that our prayers are not answered? We
have hoped and prayed that some one
would take the matter up in some defin tie
| form and get the people fully aroused to
the true condition which exists among the
Chinese Of this City. 1t is splendid petit
ton, and [ am sure every person who is
interested in the work of Chinese mis-
sions Will give their thanks to those who
are putting it forward. The petition does
not begin to state the true condition.
I hat can hardly be done, and if it were
all told very few would believe that such
tn ings could possibly e done in a civil
lied city. Those who go among the Chi
nese in the mission work see things that
are too horrible to put in print. And il is
going on all the time right here DESPITE
all we can do to prevent it."