The Shadow of the Anti-Chinese Movement in Puyallup
A local meeting of citizens and the Sheriff turns into a mass swearing-in of deputy sheriffs as anti-Chinese agitation reaches a fever pitch.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
At a meeting held at the Puyallup Town Hall on October 19, 1885, citizens gathered for the purpose of organization to preserve law and order. Mr. E. Meeker stated the object of the meeting was to address the question which had called the citizens together. The Sheriff stated that he was ready to swear in as many deputy sheriffs as might be decided upon. A resolution was carried that all persons willing to serve rise, and dozens of local men responded and were sworn into service. Prosecuting Attorney Campbell addressed the newly sworn deputies, noting that while he was satisfied the substantial portion of the people would discourage violence, the 'Chinese question' was absorbing the minds of a large portion of the population. He warned that the proper precautions must be taken to forestall riot and violence. The Attorney then read sections of the territorial code regarding unlawful assembly and riots, and informed the crowd that the Governor had offered to send troops if necessary, but that it would be a humiliation to the county. The Sheriff expressed his belief that he had a sufficient number of substantial citizens to preserve the peace, and that they would aid him in protecting the rights of all citizens, including the Chinese residents, should occasion require.
“The Chinese question is at present absorbing the minds of a large portion of our people, and while I know and am satisfied that the substantial portion of our people... would discourage and resent any act of riot, violence or unlawful means, yet I realize that the proper and necessary precautions should be taken.”
This 1885 snapshot captures the tense climate leading up to the anti-Chinese expulsion riots in Seattle and Tacoma. The 'law and order' rhetoric used here mirrors contemporary debates where local citizens are mobilized to protect property and order, often under the guise of civic duty, while vulnerable immigrant populations face displacement.
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