m
Wt gaitjj giotfau.
ASTOKIA. OKEGON:
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23. 18S5
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The employment of Chinese oc
cupies present prominence here as
elsewhere. In Astoria and on
the lower Columbia the question
assumes a different phase, a more
important bearing than any other
locality on the coast. For it is
said that the canneries cannot run
without Chinese laber: that -with
the cannery men it is not a ques
tion of choice, but of necessity:
that they have either to employ
Chinamen to put up the fish or
close their canneries.
If this view of the case be ac
cepted as correct it would be use
less to agitate the matter as far
as Astoria is concerned. The
average Chinaman earns a dollar
a day in the fishing season. There
are about 2,000 Chinamen em
ployed in Astoria and vicinity. It
is argued that a white man could
not be got to work for a dollar a
day, or, if lie agreed to do it,
could not be got to do the work
for a dollar a day that a Chinaman
could or would.
If this be conceded, the matter
simply amounts to this; no China
men, no canneries, no canneries,
no industry for without the can
neries Astoria cannot present a
very cheerful business outlook,
and as the most of us arc not here
for our health, the future prosperity
of the place is bound up in the
success or failure of the salmon
business.
This is why the Chinese ques
tion is a serious one to Astoria. It
is a matter of business. It con
cerns every merchant, storekeeper,
business man, and directly or
indirectly, every citizen of the
place.
As a business proposition The
Astoeian calls the attention of
the community to the matter.
"We are all pretty well agreed
on one point, that the Chinese are
unwelcome, that none of us want
anything to do with them except
as a necessity, that the country
would be better off without them,
that they are a foe to society, to
civilization, Christianity, the fami
ly and all that. This has been
said over and over again. It is all
so. Repeating it can't make it any
more truthfulr
But they are here, and the
question is what is best to do.
Wild talk, inflammatory denuncia
tion of everything and everybody
will do no good. Frothing at the
mouth and talking nonsense isn't
going to help matters. The ques
tion is not what might be done
under different circumstances, but
what can be done, things being
as they are.
The Astoeian is of the opinion
that wise policy, common pru
dence and the dictates of business
success suggest that in general
all who have the employment of
men should not employ a China
man in any case where it is pos
sible to employ a white man.
It believes that they should
stretch a point in this matter and
in every case possible should re
fuse employment to Chinese and
give it to men of their own race
even when it would seem that the
employment of a white man would
cost a few cents, or a few dollars
more.
If there is any one thing that is
gettled it is that the Chinese must
go off this coast. This is what
The Astobian" and a good many
other newspapers on this coast
want to see: that is what we are
working for. AVe in Astoria and
Oregon and "Washington can
never be truly prosperous till the
cursed Chinese are gone and white
men and white women have the
control of the labor market in
their hands.
But we do not expect to see
this this year, nor next. This is go
ing to be along, weary fight. The
Chinese have possession and must
be dislodged. The -way to dis
lodge them is by refusing to em
ploy them. As long as we make
it an object for them to stay they
will be with us. "Whenever we
cannot give them employment
they will go. "We must freeze
them out. If anybody knows any
other way, legally, we should be
glad to hear from him. Violence
won't do it. The man who advo
cates violence is doing all he can
to defer the day when the China
man can be got along without.
The man who makes a noise with
his mouth and demonstrates his
ignorance to the immediate knowl
edge of his hearers, is working for
the Chinamen to stay here and is
putting off the day when white
men -will be preferred.
"We repeat it, that the way to
make the Chinaman go is to refuse
to employ him. That, with proper
legislation, which we may reason
ably expect from congress, is the
only way to solve the "vexatious
problem. There is no glory in
this thing, no notoriety in or out
of the newspapers: no hurrah or
impulse. It is a plain matter of
business, of duty on the part of
everyone, to see that a constant,
persistent pressure be brought to
bear to work the Chinamen out
arid the white man in.
We confess to share in the be
lief that the day may come when
on this coast our boys and girls,
our growing successors can step in
to an Astoria cannery and get an
honest day's work. If there is any
thing on God's green earth that
will save the boys and girls of Or
egon and keep them from going to
perdition across lots, it is to give
them something to do, some honest
work. Idleness and folly will ruin
any one, no matter how good the
family or the natural bias. Labor,
honest work, lie at the foundation
of success in all communities. The
man or woman who doesn't work
isn't worth noticing. It is here
that the Chinese come into compe
tition with the good of the place.
How much better in every way to
have a thousand young men and
young women earning fair wages
in the great salmon industry of
the Columbia, than as it was and
is and must be till patience and
legislation can change matters.
"But would you have us dis
charge the Chinamen or refuse to
employ them and take our chances
with a lot of green hands who
would strike as soon as they
thought they could get away with
it?"
By no means. As things are it
wouldn't be business to do that or
to take the chances on being left
with a lot of fish some day and no
one to put it up. What we say is
that whenever possible employ a
white man or a white boy. If you
can find room for three in your es
tablishment put in three: if but
for one, employ onej one-is better
than nothing.
Said a well informed man to us
a few evenings ago, "I claim to
know all about the salmon busi
ness. I was superintendent and
general 'boss' of a large cannery
here for several years. I got $150
a month. My orders were 'errf.
ploy no white man.' I obeyed in
structions. "What was the result?
I took green Chinamen aad showed
them the business. The next year
I was 'fired out,' and a Chinaman
whom I had taught was put in my
place at S 40 a month.'
The Astobiax desires nothing
but justice in this matter. It has
no sympathy with demagogues on
one hand nor Shylocks on the oth
er. No one, canneryman or fish
erman, made any money hero last
year. What we would like to see
is common prosperity, a busy sea
son and every honest worker doing
well. Perhaps a little plain talk
on this question now may save
trouble farther on.
A Chicago drummer brought
suit against a Milwaukee news
paper which had referred to him
as a "masher." When a kind friend
explained the meaning of the of
fensive word, he ordered bis
lawyer to withdraw the suit.
When the news got to Chicago,
the drumer was forthwith offered
score of positions as traveler for
wholesale millinery houses, and
thus again was the power of the
press -vindicated,
OKI.
In Astoria. Dar 51st. to the wifn of T.
J. Arvold, a son.
DIED.
In Astoria, Dec. 22, of typhoid fever,
Jas. Mclnni3, a native of 2S ova Scotia,
aged 28 years.
GRAND CONCERT
-AND-
MASQUERADE BALL!
AT ROSS' OPERA ROUSE
DECEMBER 31st. 1885,
BY GUSHING P0BT CORNET BAND.
CoBOertFroB8to90'clock.
JAS1SQ BEGISTB at 9 O'CLOCK
Gent. Masker. SI ; Lady Maskers. Free ;
Gent. Spectators, SI ; Lady Spectators, soc
Tickets at City Book Store.
Finest Selection of
JeielryinSoliJGflUanflSilTer.
Most Suitable Holiday Presents!
Offered nt Very Low Figures.
ftVTfcc Qvftlttjr of Brerr Article GurtBteed.
Astoria and Seaside
BAKERIES,
ED. JACXSOX. - Proprietor.
The best Bread, Cakes and PjuUt in tho City
Ice Cream and Ornamental Work
to order
Manufacturer of Fine Candles.
Found.
A TWENTY - FIVE - FOOT FISHING
xiu coat, painted white outside, pink In
side. Inquire or
G. A. NELSON,
At Scandinavian Cannery.
Come and See Us,
JL FULL STOCK
-Awaits Tour Inspection.
Plush Goods,
Christmas Clards,
Toys,
Fancy Goods, etc.
It Prices that will Astonish yon.
Yes will lad It ta year advantage
To Pay Us a Visit.
GRIFFIN & REED.
Money to Loan
fH APPROVED SECUBITY. COUNTY
-r oraers Dougnt. Apply at the office
F. D. TVINTON.
Xmas.
fJlHE "VARIETY RESTAURANT" WILL
. v)eu auiu cic uuuu wc lumuuicuicill
of Mr. ffm. -Bannister. The table will be
supplied with every luxury the market can
UlUlUi
Good Management and Attendance.
"White Cooks.
JUST WHAT
YOU WANT !
BUSINESS MEN
And others who want to keep an exact copy
ot evnrcjpunueucc, uius. cic, can ne
accommodated at
The Astorian Job Office.
WR PRINT IN
Copying Ink
Which will give a clear and exact impression
in any ordinary copying press.
Bills of Lirding,
Manifests,
Letter and Nete Heads,
Memoranda,
And all kinds of work that usually requires
vui'3 w, ynuieu iu ai siyie
and at as
Low Bates at Ordinary fort
avCall and see samples of our work ate
THE ASTORIAN JOB OFFICE.
TY
BOOK
STOBE
"THE OLD
D. L. BECK &
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Cannery Fishermen's Supplies
- ACTIO:
Staple and Fancy Groceries, Pro,
-C30.
Goods Sold at Lowest Cash Price.
EMPIRE
CLOTHING, HATS,
BOOTS and SHOES,
DRY GOODS,
F
W. T. PARKER
SHUTE & CO.,
FINE IMPORTED CIGARS.
Yon can rely on getting a Good Cigar
At Shute Coa
CIGAR ANO TOBACCO STORE,
Opposite D. L. Beck & Son's.
C. E. BAIN.
DOORS, WINDOWS, BRACKETS,
Mouldings, Window Frames, etc.
A. Full Supply of Material. BldsTurulshrd :
Contract Work a Specialty.
MM and Offlce on the Old Site.
IN NEW QUARTERS!
Having Consolidated My Business with the
Astoria Furniture Co.,
I now offer the largest and Most Complete Assortment of
Fine and Plain Furniture,
Window ShadeB, Pictures, Moulding, etc.,
At Portland Prices, and Invite a Call
Line, Guaranteeing Satisfaction in Every Respect.
CHAS, HEILBORN
Holiday Announcement!
STOCK this season embraces a Much Larger Assortment and Greater
Variety of Artioles suitable for Holiday Gifts than he has ever offered
before. His Assortment of Precious Stones, "Watches, Silverware, Jewelry
Decorated China, Bronzes, Cut Glassware, Art Metal and Brass Work
Ivory and Leather Goods, Opera Glasses, Hall, Mantel, Traveling and Fancy
Clocks is Very Complete and Attractive. His Importations being Direct
and Constant, he presents the Latest Styles of American and Foreign Man
ufactures. His rule of Marking All Goods in Plain Figures and Low Prioes,
is Maintained.
Carl Adler's Crystal Palace
i
CORNER,"
SONS.
nn.imaiaigGgiBaKi
STORE.
Manasrer.
O
G-. HANSEN
OF TIIE
DIAMOND PALACE!
Has Just Bccelved a Flue Stock of
CHRISTMAS MS
Consisting of
briMoms, watches, jewelrf,
blLYEll WARE, CLOCKS,
SPECTACLES, ETC.,
Which tie offers at Bedrock Prices.
All Coeds Warranted.
Mine Is Jewelry Store and Known &3 Sut:h.
Bedding, Carpets, Oil Cloth,
o lEverybody in "Want of Goods in My
r
Groceries Cheap for Cash!
JLGcl 16oi Ivan
F. L. P.
AH
FRAME L. PARKER,
Hi B PdflLRLxSXf.
OKAI.EE IS
Hay, Oats, ant Straw, Lime, Wl, Cement, Sand ant Plaster
-- ' Wood Dellrered to Order. Dnjlag, Te unla? tad Expreat Baslaett.
iEl: apply to ilie Captain, or to
DEALER II
Tin. Sheet Iron, and Coppe JWnre. A general assortment of Household Good.
AQEST FOK ;
aiAGEE STOVES AND KAAGES, THE BEST IS THE Iff 1IKET .
Plumbing goods of all kinds on hand. Job work done In a workmanuks Banner.
Plumbing, Gas Fitting and Cannery Work attended to promptly
On Reasonable Term?.
CbcBSBHS Street, Bfext to C. Ju Parker' Stare. Aaterim. rea.
Holiday
AT
The New York Novelty Store!
We have now on Exhibition
THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPLETE STOCK OF
HOLIDAY GOODS and NOVELTIES
Ever offered to the People of Astoria.
Come One! Come All!
The Public are Cordially Invited to Call and Examine our Carefully Selected
Stock, Comprising articles for Old and Young alike and within the reach of all.
.iminnmimiiiMMlMmniiin
Heretofore We have Always
Led in Making Prices for Our Competitors,
And now We Propose to
Lead Where Tbey Cant Follow!!
As Anything and Everything will be offered ntTkeX.awest
Possible .Livid? Margin of Profit.
NEW YORK NOVELTY STORE,
Opposite the Parker House. Main Straet, Astoria, OrtfOJL
United States Restaurant
On Main street is now open, and
AT OXTCE TAKES THE X.XJLD
In every particular
It is the
Finest lltted np
And
Best in the city
JEFF IS A
G-ood
He cannot be beat
on the coast.
Meals 25c.
BOABD
PBIVATE BOOMS
ForFaxniliM
OR PARTIES
Fro
PATS GASH, THAT SETTLES fR
AH
STEAMER
CLARA PARKER
f ben P. Parier,M aster.
ForTOWINO, FREIGHT orCHAK
M. JB. PAKKKK.
Goods!
.Sapper Parties
Furnished
On short notice
oriTxms
t
A Specialty
JEFF
Spends '
Hia Monty
IN .
Astoria!
Bays by the
Wfctltftlt
am