The sun., 1902-01-10
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.
the Question Of Its Re-enactmeut Con.
sidered From Another Point Of View.

me QueStIon OF Us ncenectWeut No"'
sidcred From Another Point Of View.
To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: read
with interest the letter Of William Barnes
Sr., regarding the Chinese question. Hav-
ing resided on the Pacific Coast for twenty
years, during which time became familiar
with Chinese traits and characteristics.
both as foreman and employee. believe
l am competent to express an opinion
upon that question. / agree with MIR.
Barnes that the Pacific Coast employers
are entirely satisfied with their labor and
fidelity. but l claim they are blinded by
avarice; they only see the direct profit
derived by cheap labor; the question OF
general good. whether the Chinese are
capable or competent Of becoming good
American citizens. never enters their minds.
True craftsmanship demands that we
look beyond personal gain and the al
mighty dollar. hold that the business
man is so engrossed with mercantile cares
that no serious consideration is given to
governmental affairs. In a word. he re-
ceives entirely too much credit for knowl-
edge Of political affairs.
The Chinese. IL is true, are peace-loving,
sober, initiative, tractable race. but in
their own country they place the business
men at the foot Of the ladder OF their So
ciety. not at the top. as we do in this country.
| am an admirer OF WI Ting Fang and
other educated Cinnamon. But the great
mass Of his countrymen do not come up
10 his standard or anywhere near It, Years
Of residence in this country have not
changed their habits or customs; they do
not assimiate with us or conform TO any
Of our ideas. China il simply transpanted
here. The fact that they are denied cit
izenship and generally despised by our
people may be to a great extent responsible
for this. but there ought TO be some ex-
ceptions to the rule; and any one familiar
with them knows il is rare 10 see China
man clothed in American garb OF in any
manner throwing of his foreign charac-
ter. No other foreign race, and In my
travels over this country have come in
contact with all races. hang so tenaciously
to their traditions, opinions and customs
as the Chinese.
They possess many traits that Americans
could follow with advantage, but IL is more
a spirit Of servlity than OF manhood that
prompts them to do IT, Centuries Of prac-
tical slavery and looking up TO mandarins
and royalty as their superiors and strug-
gle for bare existence, have made them
unfit for American citizenship.
To-day San Francisco contemplates the
purchase Of the section inhabited by them;
It being blot, a sore. a scandal to the city
Our arid plains and undeveloped western
lands had better remain in their present
state and be slowly improved by labor
that understands the responsibility and
honor Of citizenship than TO have the coun-
try overrun by that unfortunate race.
Salf- ic tho first law of patllra
We do not invite into our house people not
congenial. We should not invite them into
our national home. twithstanding our
Exclusion law. we do millions OF dollars
worth Of business with China. and shall
continue to do so.
Our Government has treated and should
continue TO treat China humanely II is
wise on our part and future generations
will regret il II we do not.
Let WI Ting Fang take a large party Of
Chinese who have resided for years In this
country. return to his native land and
preach, advocate and exhibit western
civilization to his people and prepare them
for citizenship, and they will be welcomed
But IL is suicide 20 throw open the gates
TO that swarm OF people. Our Govern
ment had better devote millions to send
instructors 20 China than to welcome them.
Many Of the laboring classes are as un-
just In their criticism and action toward
the Chinese in demanding their exclusion
as the business classes are UNJUST toward
labor in advocating the admission Of the
Chinese.
There Ia future. and true craftsmanship
looks out for It. l welcome men OF all
climes TO our shores. provided, and want
10 emphasize the word provided that
they are capable, competent and willing
TO conform 10 American habits, customs
and ideas. Twenty years OF residence
among Chinese convinces me and every
other man familiar with the subject. that
they are not competent and should be ex-
cluded. The day will come, and ! believe
in the near future, that the Chinese will
wake up and take their place among the
nations.
Dennis Kearney, by his novel and orig
ina style. aroused the nation 20 its peril
and caused the Exclusion act 20 be passed
II should again be placed on the statute
books | know you will give this side Of
the question a chance TO be heard even II
written 10y an unknown admlrer 81 The
SUS. john Dk IIkRB.
ALBASY. n. Y. Jan. s.