Four in a Row Los Angeles Times, Sep. 7, 1893, p. 5
Four Cahuenga Chinamen Sentenced to Deportation.
Vegetable Gardeners Declared to be Laborers.
The Heathen Deserting Chinatown-Chinese Cooks Also Leave Their Places--
A Petition Forwarded to Washington.
Judge Ross made quick work of the Cahunenga Chinaman yesterday afternoon. The hearing was commenced at 2:32 and by the time court adjourned the quartette had been duly convicted and sentenced to deportation to their negative land.
The courtroom was fairly well filled when Judge Ross mounted the bench and court was opened, a large proportion of the audience being Chinamen, who followed the proceedings with the closest attention. The heathen were represented by A.B. Hotchkiss, Esq., while the interests of the government were attended to by District Attorney George J. Denis.
The mode of procedure was identical in every case. The deputy marshal who made the arrests testified to the service of the warrants and identified the defendants, after which the witnesses for the government testified as to the length of time they had known the Chinamen and the fact that they had not registered as required by the provisions of the Geary act. The testimony of the Chinamen followed being given through an interpreter. In each case the Chinamen testified that they were farmers, not laborers; that they rented the land, and were partners in the enterprise.
Mr. Hotchkiss raised the point that his clients were not laborers in the sense that they worked for hire, and consequently did not come under the provisions of the Geary act.
Judge Ross declined to view the matter in that light, and peremptorily shut off argument, saying that the witnesses could testify as to what the Chinamen had been doing on the place, and that the court would decide whether they were laborers in the meaning of the act or not.
Col. I.R. Dunkelberger testified to leasing the land to the Chinamen. and several Cahuenga farmers testified to the length of time they had known the Chinamen, and when they concluded Judge Ross briefly summed up, saying that from the general appearances, clothing etc., of the Chinamen, the Court was of the opinion that the defendant was a laborer, and that as he had not registered by the 5th day of May, as required by the Geary act, and had failed to show any good and valid reason for not complying with the law, that he be committed to the custody of the United States Marshal for deportation to China.
Altogether the proceedings were short and to the point. There was no waste of time, no quibbling over legal technicalities, but just a plain, straight business propositions carried out in a businesslike way, which undoubtedly had its effect on the Chinaman who were in the court room.
Four More Warrants Issued.
Warrants were issued yesterday for more Chinamen. Ah Dock and three others said to be [light binders], but up to last night they had not been captured. This makes 26 warrants so far issued. Dist. -Atty., Denis says that warrants will be issued as fast as the cases can be disposed of without interfering with the other business of the court.
In Chinatown
The usual crowded condition of Chinatown was much changed last night, the streets in that locality, comparatively speaking, being almost a deserted as an abandoned New England farm. During the day a large number of the Celestials were seen to leave with their bundles, and it is expected that more will follow.
At the Chinese Theater last night there were only about fifty of the Mongolians in attendance, whereas there is usually an audience of some two hundred or more. Not only this, but those who are present did not appear to have their attention fixed strongly on the play.
The opium joints received a very slim patronage, while even the restaurants suffered a great depression in business.
Kong Cree and Ah Mow Talk
Wong Chee, when seen by a reporter, stated positively that he had made no such statements as had been published in an afternoon paper, and, in fact, had not been seen by a reporter. He said he was in favor of enforcing the laws of the land, but as for giving any opinions on the questions at issue, he desired to be excused. He said that he had severed his connections with the Six Companies.
Ah Mow, another of the leaders, was not as averse to expressing his views as was Wong Chee. He said that he believed that between two hundred and three hundred of his countrymen had, during the day, left the city. He expected that a large number of those remaining would leave today. As far as the merchants were concerned, the Geary law did not apply exclusively to them, but if all of the laborers were to go away, then there would be no business for the merchants and they would have to leave also.
As was said last night by a gentleman who appeared to be in a position to know, this deportation of but few Chinese will be necessary in order to dispose of them.
A number of Chinese cooks in various restaurants failed to show up in yesterday morning and their places were filled by white cooks.
Want Another Chance
There is no question but what the Chinamen are beginning to realize that they made a fatal mistake in not registering as required by the Geary act, and, if they could have another opportunity, there is no doubt but what the great majority would comply with its provisions. The more intelligent of the heathen frankly admit that they are deceived by the Six Companies, and say if it could be done they would be only too glad to register. As an evidence of this feeling the following petition signed by 123 Chinese in this city, has been forwarded to Washington:
"To the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America: The undersigned citizens of China and residents of the city and county of Los Angeles, State of California, respectfully petition your honorable bodies to take action immediately, by appropriate legislation, to give your petitioners another opportuniaay to comply with the law requiring us to register, as set forth in the act of Congress commonly known as the Geary act.
"Your petitioners would further say that they were led to believe, and did believe, that said Geary act was a violation of the treaty between China and the United States. That now the Supreme Court of the United States has rendered a final decision in the case, and your petitioners are ready and anxious to comply with the said act of Congress, and with all the requirements of the laws of the nation.