THE CHINESE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 145, 17 July 1880, Page 2

THE CHINESE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

The following evidence was taken before a..commission in San Francisco specially appointed to inquire into the Chinese question:—

James R. Rogers, the offieor detailed by the Chief of Police, at the request of the committee, to collect statistics regarding the Chinese in San Francisco, pursuant to Qie resolution of the committee adopted, submitted the following report:— Gentlemen, —In compliance with the instructions received from your honourable oommittee, I have endeavoured in tho limited time in which I was engaged in the matter (six days), to obtain and collect for your information details relative to the different industrial pursuits which are either monopolized by the Chinese or are fast becoming so. From the fact that this class of our community have'reduced the prices to what would be almost starvation to our whito men and women, thereby showing the cause in a groat measure,of the laok of employment in our city, and the prolific cnuse of our young men growing up in idleness, and our women, in very many instances, driven to the last resort, of which our city will furnish abundant proof, these are matters of the most serious consideration. It would require, as wjll be apparent to your committee, considerably more time to collect for your information reliable and thoroughly accurate data regarding the inroads made upon the different avocations whereby our citizens are gaining their livlihood ; but, as before stated, the extremely limited time must be'niy excuse for giving the general summary I have the honour to offer for .your, consideration. There are about 3300 Chinese employed in the business of cigar-making, earning from 40 to 90 cents., and perhaps in some instances one dollar per day. There are in the vicinity 260 places whore cigars are manufactured, the larger portion of which aro carried on by Chinese, and a very small number where Chinese and whito labour are employed conjointly. The number of cigars manufactured in the First Congressional District of California during the last twelve months, ninetenths of which have been made in the city and county of San Francisco, and bv Chinese labour, amounts to 120,598,000. This includes about 6,000,000 cigarettes. Deduct 6,000,000 made by white labour, and the balance, 114,593,000 remains. Many of the cigaritos are manufactured from the luitts of cigars picked up from the streets, in front of "cellars and 1 far-looms, «s can be soon" gathered bv Chinamen every morning on our public streets. Thos« are again manufactured into material f-ir smoking, and sold at the different Chinese depots at the rate of live cents, per package, made up in form of cigarito'-i.

There 4\e about 300 laundries scattered throughout the city, averaging five men each. Somo of these establishments employ double sets of hands, and run day ami night. It may safely be said there are 1500 men employed, exolusively Chinese, in Chinese washhouscs in this city, while as many more are employed at tho larger establishments of tho same nature, which aro carried on by white management. Not less than 3000 men are employed in this business alone. . About 300 are engaged in peddling fruit, vegetables, and fish, while many others are engaged in going from house |to selling tapi\ needles, pins, matches, and human hair, which our ladies use to adorn their heads; in fact, almost all the material sold in our small rotail dry good stores can be procured from Chinamen at your own door, and at prices which those doing a legitimate business cannot possibly compote with. There are about 30 manufactories of men's clothing carried on by Chinese, tho men doing the main portion of the work, while tho women do the light finishing, There are 11 slipper manufactories where large quantities of this material is made, the main work being done by the men at the shop, and the finishing by Chineso women at their homes during the day; ri fact, nearly all of this article is from Chinose labour.

A vory largo number of men are employed making shoes and gaiters, and an immense amount of material manufactured into merchandise of this nature, of which my limited tune does not allow me to give you the full details, but there is no doubt but that eight-tenths of the ladies' and children's gaiter? and shoes made in this city are of Chinese manufacture. Shirts, night-dresses, chemises—in fact, every articlo of such nature—are being made up in large quantities by Chinamen and Chinese women; this to the dismay of our sewing girls, who vainly attempt to compete with Chinese labour. In very many of. onr retail stores where such merchandise as ladies' underwear is exposed for sale, the artioles aro the production and handiwork of a Chinaman, to the exclusion of the white girl, who, up to the present time has mode an honourable living by her noodle. There are about 300 houses, known as lodging houses, where Chinese herd in large numbers, while there are very many mora places of similar nature. Very few of the domestics employed in families, but what sleep in the Chinese quarter, sleeping in rooms containing from six men to 20 and 40, and even 100 have been known to occupy a single apartment. Closed at all points, the at-

rnosphere upon entering one of theso place:) in the morning is beyond description. As a sanitary measure Uiia U % matter that should and has engaged the attention of the authorities; and the law, known as the " pure-air law," was passed | '\y our legislature as a purely sanitary measure, and for the protection of our citizens and the prevention of an epidemic. This law is being enforced by the police department. There are about 6000 Chinese employed as cooks, nurses, dish-washers, bed-makers, and waiters. These are employed by families, lodging-houses, etc. Houses of ill-fame-have been principally confined to the small streets and alleys of the Chinese quarter of this oitv, and* comprise in number between 150 and 200. These are occupied by a class of. inmates brought to this country for the purpose of serving a term of years as prostitutes. During the day these women, as far as practicable, are employed at the various branches of industry—as working on shirts, slippers, men's olothing, women's underwear, etc. As this clans of operatives do .not receive pay for this extra work, it must naturally work a fearful injury to the honest white girl who depends upon her needle for support. I need not describe in detail these places, or their disastrous tendencies upon our community, as the public press, from time to time, have fully advised you in all matters connected with this branch of our Chinese quarter. The manufacture of shirts of every description has been largely engaged in, and i 8 being carried on extensivelj by Chinese, giving employment to both men and this class of women.

The habit of opium smoking had formerly been practised by the Chinese almost oxolusivc-ly, every Chinese house being provided with the drug, together with all the implements for using the article. Regular depots are also established where opium is smoked at regular and stated prices, where parties smoke until insensible, nnd then bleep off the deadly effects. While this was practised among' the Chinese alone, no particular attention was given to the subject, but very recently not less than eight places have been started, furnished with opium pipes, beds for sleeping off tho fumes, eto. These latter places were conducted by Chinamen, and patronized by both white men and women, who visited thene dons at all hours of the day and night, tho habit and its deadly result becoming so extensive as to call for action on tho part of the authorities, and an ordiiiancn was passed which had tho elfoct of hreaking up those places, but the practice, deeply rooted, still continues. The department of polico, in enforcing the law with regard tu this matter, have found while women and Chinamen side by side under the effects of this drug- a humiliating sight to anyone who has anything left of manhood. The practice <>i gambling has be>-n carried on very extensively in all its various branches. The many places where this Has been carried on are now being kept close*! by order of the Chief of Police—as far as practicable. Of the different associations, such aa brokers, butchers carpenters, employment offices, jewidlcr*, watchmakers, pawnshops, tinsmiths, barbers, joss houses, and, in fact, very many other matters connected with this class of our community, had I the time I should be glad to give you the details: but, as before stated, the excuse niuht be given for this short report which I offer you.— Town and Country Journal.