Chinese americans faceing discrimination in work and trade - Essay Example

The first case was a judicial writ to the Supreme Court of the State of California while the second case was on appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for that district. The sheriff stated that the petitioner Yick Wo was found guilty by the Police Judges Court, No. 2 of not obeying the ordinances of the board of supervisors of that county and were rightly fined $10 and in case of non-payment, imprisonment for as many days as the fine amount in dollars according to the law. Now, let’s have a look at the ordinances.

An order No. 1569 was passed on May 26, 1880, dictating the type of buildings where laundering activities may be carried. Section 1declared it mandatory to have the permission of the board of supervisors to run a laundry, exempting only brick and stone buildings from its preview. Section 2 declared it illegal to construct scaffolding for any purpose other than specified without taking permission from the supervisors. Further Section 3 of the Order provided with a punishment of one thousand dollars or six months jail or both to those found guilty of committing the offence.

Another Order was passed on July 28,1880 bearing No. 1587. Sec. 68 of this Order declared it illegal to run laundry business within corporate limits of San Francisco without permission of board of supervisors except in a building made of brick and mortar. It was on record that the petitioner was a Chinese, living in California for the last twenty-two years. He had a license from the board of fire wardens. All concerned departments checked his premises OK. His license had run out on time and had to be renewed, permission of which was denied.

There were at that time 320 laundries in the city of San Francisco, out of which 240 belonged to Chinese people. It was found that others were not prosecuted; only Chinese were discriminated to oust them from their dwellings where they were residing for the last many-many years and paying all taxes. This attitude was