Charles Frederick Holder

“ Among the factors which have aided in producing industrial unrest on the Pacific Slope during the past decades has been the almost unrestricted pouring in of alien races, particularly the Chinese. The question has assumed grave importance, especially in California, where almost every political contest during the past twenty years has been some bearing upon the so-called colonization of the Chinese in America and their usurpation of the industrial field of the American citizen. ”

“ Arriving at some port, the agent invents a story to the effect that the husband has been called away to another place, and has left word for her to follow. Still unsuspicious, she is shipped on an American steamer with others in charge of another agent. When far out at sea the victim usually rebels, but is quieted by the agent, who now informs her that she is in the greatest danger; that if she cannot succeed in passing the American officials at San Francisco she will be thrown into prison and subjected to torture. ”

“ The Chinese societies engaged in this traffic have a large fund for the prosecution of disputed cases, and aided by American lawyers and the writ of habeas corpus they are often successful in regaining possession of these human chattels. To fight these societies several denominations, notably the Presbyterians and Methodists, have established missions in San Francisco, where slaves are taken and every effort made to break up the nefarious practices of the slave-dealer. ”

“ Slaves that are resold are sold by a contract, a document which, while unfit for publication, is a most remarkable paper, showing that the sale of women is looked upon in the same light as that of the lowest animals. ”

“ N. R. Johnston and taken under the protection of the Chinese Mission in San Francisco with one child, the other, fifteen months old, having been sold by her husband's brother's despite her opposition. The records of the mission abound in similar accounts, a series of horrors which should arouse a protest all over the land. The instance of the girl Woon Tsun illustrates the tenacity of purposes which characterizes the slave-dealer. Since the enactment of the Registration Act it had been more difficult to introduce slaves, and girls who formerly brought but $150 are now valued at $800. ”

“ These, in turn, have sub-agents in the suburban districts, whose duty it is to kidnap the victims and forward them to the agent at the shipping ports, who usually consigns them to a travelling or confidential agent, whose duties lie not alone in guarding the human property, but in instructing the women so tat they will be able to pass the Custom House authorities. ”