The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-27
Asiatic labor Question.

gence OF the American laborer in the re-
fusal OF the Seattle workingmen to be
worked by the Democratic state COM
mittee and its organ in this city. They
decline TO act as tail to the Democratic
kite. Indeed. the meeting last night at
boomerang for the Democratic agitators
The attempt 10 turn II TO Democratic pur-
poses was properly rebuked. the insult
Of the Times in charging corruption
against representatives of the Western
Central Labor Union was deeply resented.
and the resolutions adopted were COM
mendable in matter and in tone.
There are no two views on this Coast,
or In any other part OF the country for
that matter, about the undesirabiiity Of
Asiatic immigration. II is shared by en-
pioyers as well as employees. 1t Is en-
bodied in a national policy that no one
dreams OF changing And II is the plain
greater security against any such inva-
sion than at present.
The facts are open Chinese are ex-
ciuded by a law that will never be re-
peaied or permitted to lapse. The United
States government and that of China are
united In the determination TO exclude
Chinese from the United states, and that
law is vigorously enforced. Owing to a
scarcity OF white labor and exaggerated
reports spread in Japan concerning the
ease OF securing employment at high
wages in this country, there was tenn
porary movement OF Japanese to the
United States The matter was taken
up promptly by the Mckinley adminis-
tration. and an agreement reached with
the Japanese government prohibiting all
immigration to the United States above
a small number each month. Since that
practically no japanese laborers entering
this country now. except a few previously
brought over who come In from British
Columbia.
Statements from Mr. Hill. OF the Great
Northern. and Mr.. Mellen. OF the North
ern Pacific. on this question appear In
another column. Both declare positively
that no Japanese we're brought over un-
der contract that such laborers OF that
nationality as have found employment on
the railroads were accepted during scar
city OF labor owing to good times. when
white laborers could not be secured even
although many thousands were brought
across the continent free OF charge. Both
assert their preference for native labor.
because OF its superior efficiency. and de-
cltre that they will be glad to substi-
tute white labor for every Japanese in
their employ as rapidly as It can be OBJ
tanned AT both ends, the political and
the economic. the interests OF home labor
are paramount There Is no disposition
to change this and no possibility that IL
viii be changed. That question was fought
out long ago.
The labor unions OF the city are prop
erly indignant at the attempts made TO
use them for political purposes. Such
were the Bryanite disturbances and the
distribution In the hall last night of a
fake circular. containing the cock and
bull story about the Estec decision that
has been published In the Times. 1t has
no more force In the United States than
a vote OF the German reichstag: and the
only possibility of a general admission of
Asiatcs would lie in the election OF Mr.
Bryan who holds that the inhabitants OF
the Philippines. Chinese. Malays and the
tot. became Immediately upon the acauI-
sition OF those islands fuli-nedged citizens
OF the United States. with all the rights
and privileges OF citizenship. Against
that hideous doctrine the Republican party
Ia inexorably fixed. With its failure 70
deceive the workingmen by falsehood and
lead them into the trap 40 carefully set
by the party managers. and It's charge OF
corruption against them when they re-
fused TO follow It's political lead, the
Democratic campaign in this state may
be said 20 have reached the stage OF
anal collapse.
American yachts may be too agile for