The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-18
THE CHINESE OF SAN FRANCISCO.

I 4 n Z III NE@eE OE San EH4hNA
Twenty years ago Dennis Keamey was a
power in California politics. His famous
ntI-Chinese agitation the slogan OF which
was The Chinese Must CO." and the
bloody sand lots" RIOS which accom-
panied the agitation. are sin wen remem-
+ bered. So far reaching was the influence
which Kearney practically created that it
made an impression which exists TO this
day upon national gislati- n in the shape
OF the law prohibiting Chinese immigra-
lion. There are probably few persons who
have any doubt of the wisdom Of this law,
which has prevented and viii prevent the
country from being oyerrun. with the yell
/ low men from the Far East, and it is
practically assured that prohibition
! against The celesuais will continue to be
a feature Of our government system.
Meantime il is a matter of interest TO
note the careers of the Chinese in Amer
lea and their enemy Kearney during the
past twenty years; for when the prohibit
tory legislation was passed il found more
than 10000 Chinese in this country, and
the number of them has not grown less
since. The majority Of Chinese population
of the country has always been in Cali
fornia with the greatest density in the
city of san Francisco. In that city, in
deed, the Chinese section has become of
great deal of importance transacung as
il does millions of dollars worth OF bust
ness per annum. The trade with The Orient
has been to a considerable extent built
up by, ana is in the hands of Chinese
merchants, importers and bankers. Sever
al steamship lines are owned Their wholly
or in part by Chinese investors. and the
business of some of them is managed by
Chinese agents. In financial circles the
Chinese banks stand high, and it is stated
that the San Francisco clearing house
passes upon such a volume of Chinese
commercial paper as would astonish those
who do not keep pace with the progress
OF the race in this country. In the com
mercial world, too. the almond-eyed men
rate well. The Chinese may wear pig-tails,
play fan-tan and smoke opium but for all
that they are known to lie shrewd trad
ers, industrious workers and thrifty saw
ers, and TO have the excellent virtue of
paying their debts promptly when due.
The Chinese merchants therefore. have
won recognition from the white-skinned
population of San Francisco, and have
made themselves a factor in the city by
no means to be despised.
Nor are the Chinese Of San Francisco
lacking in public spirit. A short time ago,
when the California volunteers were re-
turning from the Philippines and the peo-
pie of the city desired to tender them a
warm welcome, the Chinese merchants
and bankers were invited to contribute to
the fund necessary to be raised, and to
take part in the celebration; both of which
they did, giving literally of their money,
and riding in carriages in the procession
with Caucaslans with as much grace and
dignity as the latter.
To revert to Kearney; while the Chinese
were riding by in carriages in celebra-
ton of the return of the American sol
diers, Kearney, Their cd enemy, was
standing unnohced on the sidewalk. He
had become back number, while men of
the race he so hated had in his very pres
ence climbed into popular respect and rec
ignition.
So modern, business-like, energetic and
American" has the Chinese population of
San Francisco become that it is to have a
daily newspaper, printed in the Chinese
language, to quote to it the markets and
keep it Informed of the news of the world.