Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-08-10
STRANGE NOTE FROM THE PA
clFIc COAST.
TBostOp Herald

Boston Herald
II anything has been accepted as
fixed regarding the sentiment of this
country toward Chinese immigration,
1t is that the people of the Pacific slope
states are overwhelmingly and unal-
terably opposed to permitting China
men to come here. Therefore 1t is with
some surprise that we note the pub
LEGATION of a long and ably argued let
ter to President Roosevelt, signed by
William ID. Wheelwright, president Of
the chamber of commerce of Port
land. Or. in favor of removing the re-
strictions on such immigration. II has
been already referred to in our special
correspondence. 1t Is not Mr.. Wheel
wright's personal letter; 1t purports to
express the sentiment of this repre-
sentative body of oregon business
men, and it maintains that the real
sentiment of the people of the Pacific
states is misunderstood. that whatever
may once have been the fears enter
tanned in respect OF an invasion OF Chi
nese workingmen, there Is no longer
the strength and unanimity Of opinion
on the subject that once prevailed.
The letter, in its dignity and force,
as well as its spirit. claims serious at
tention. It almost seems as If a sec.
ton, at ANY rate, Of the Pacific coast
had reached the convictions on this
subject that were held and bravely de-
clared on all suitable occasions by the
late Senator Hoar OF our state. He
held that our legislation on this sub
ject was un-American, uncharitable
and contrary to the dictates of democ-
racy and humanity. This appears to be
the opinion of the members OF the
Portland Chamber Of Commerce. In
evitably II will provoke controversy
throughout the section for which II as
sumes to speak and to considerable
degree in all sections. the echoes of
which will be heard in Congress next
winter.
II was only n day or two ago that
President Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor called upon the
President at Oyster Bay, of course by
appointment. and had a long confer
ence with him on this very question.
President Gompers represents the feel
ing of the labor unions of the country,
which Is hostile to the competition of
Chinese labor. He seems to have been
disturbed by the recent declaration of
Mr.. Roosevelt on the-subject and de-
sirous to find out from the President
himself his real mind. He came away
reporting himself satisfied that the
President had no purpose to let down
the bars so as to admit Chinese la
borers. His clemency comprehended
only travelling merchants. students
and gentlemen, not the Chinese work
ing man and business man.
Mr.. Wheelwright's letter takes note,
also of the interest and attention with
which the administration is consider
ing our relations with China 1t Is on
this account that the Portland Cham
Der OF Commerce feels impelled to ad-
dress him on the subject being espe-
cially prompted by "a more or less
prevalent opinion that the Pacific coast
Is not only responsible for hostile leg
islation toward the Chinese in the
past, but that 1t is still disposed land
to greater extent than any other
portion Of the country to make I'M
reasonable demands on the govern
ment for their exclusion in the future"
Certainly such is the prevalent opinion,
and this is why this remarkable docu-
ment will claim unusual attention. for
1t undertakes to argue that the opinion
Is untimely and unjust.
it acknowledges that there was a
time, more than thirty years ago.
when the citizens Of California appeal.
ed to the general government for pro-
lection against an apparent danger OF
unknown and therefore possibly over
whelming proportions" and that tho
earliest legislation was enacted In re.
Spouse to that appeal. The coast was
then sparsely populated, and there was
dread that the Chinese, "a mysterious
people OF unknown possibilities for
WE LAVE oGNrA-,u a.1.,,