The San Francisco call., 1898-12-28
TOO HIGH A PRICE.

X MEXICAN TRADE, a journal which an | A nounces under its title that it is published for
 the National Association of Manufacturers o the United States, is naturally keen and earnest ad yocate of commercial expansion and the opening o new markets for American produce. This is, o course, commendable for we need mercantile as well as industrial extension but there is such thing as paying too high price for trade and there signs our Eastern contemporary does not understand that
 In the current number the chief article is one by M. R. Jeffres on the Chinese exclusion act in which it is maintained that the act stands as a barrier against the increase of trade and between the United States and four hundred millions of peo- pie whose instincts would direct them to buy from us-because of their getting better value for their money-were 1t not for these objectionable laws"
 Starting from that assumption which, by the way, he does undertake to prove MT. Jeffries goes argue that IS for the commercial interests of the United States to repeal the exclusion laws and open this country Chinese in for open market in China for American goods Furthermore, he de- cares the laws we're enacted originally just because few local miners and railway laborers the Pacific Coast had an imaginary idea that the Chinese coolie would come to this country in swarms and destroy their chances for high wages" He then goes on to say:
 This twenty years ago and mere local affair. It did not concern the United States as nation at the time but from little acorns massive oaks do grow It does affect the wealth producers of this whole country now, for by these laws we are handicapped in trading with of the most populous nations the globe, nation with which all other large featuring countries doing their utmost and using their armies and naves in order to foothold for trade and commerce. when If the Chinese allowed to come to our shores the same as the Japan csc, Siamese, Burmese, Malays English and others their trade would naturally drop right into laps by gravtation, because and do give them the best value for their money
 Ii the view of MT. Jeffries, given circulation by journal of such repute American Trade, find any considerable support in the East may have the Chinese exclusion fight on our hands again and in more dangerous shape than The first appear arce of threatened agitation for repeal of the laws is, therefore, matter of no little importance
 In the absence of any argument the point, 1t Is not clear upon what grounds is based the theory that the exclusion laws interfere with our Chinese trade. That trade has increased while the exclusion policy has been enforced and is increasing now. The Chinese consumer who get better goods for less money from the United States than from any other country is not likely to turn aside from them and seek other goods simply because he is not permitted to come to the United States and work for wages
 Even if the theory should be proven true, however it would not in any wise justify repeal of the ex- cuson act. It would be poor policy on the part of the Government to sacrifice California to the Chinese for the sake of making new market for Eastern products Commercial expansion is undoubt- edly worth great deal but 1t would be bought too high if we paid for it by the free admission of Chinese 1aborers