Mr. BUSIEK. Will you please leave this correspondence until we can make copies of it, Mr. Cowell? Mr. COWELL. Yes; I may have other letters if I look through my file, because I thought after the incident was closed there would be no other use for them. But I do not recall letters only except from Dakota and Chicago, and I think from Providence, and these from Boston. Commissioner O'CONNELL. Have you heard anything of the boy since: Commissioner O'CONNELL. Around in this section? Mr. COWELL. Haven't heard a single thing of them. Mr. COWELL. No, sir; didn't know where Mr. BUSIEK (interrupting). This one boy came back after Christmas holidays? Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir. Mr. BUSIEK. And stayed with you. How many stayed? Chin On did not come back for a week or two after we commenced the term, and then he returned and stayed out through the year. Mr. BUSIEK. Did you not make any inquiry from this boy as to whether or not he had heard from his former companions? Mr. CowELL. I don't recall. Mr. BUSIEK. Did you say anything about the Government inspectors having been around inquiring about it? Mr. COWELL. I don't think I did, to him. Mr. BUSIEK. Did you to the one that was the interpreter-what was his name, Moy Wing? Mr. COWELL. I can't remember. Mr. BUSIER. Did you say anything to him? Mr. COWELL. I don't remember that I did. Mr. BUSIEK. Did you ask him what had become of these boys? Mr. COWELL. I think I did. Mr. BUSIEK. What did he say? Mr. COWELL. Well, I think he knew where some of them were, because if there was any bills he was to send for them. Mr. BUSIEK. The whole 20 were apparently of the coolie class-Chinese laborers? Mr. COWELL. Well, they were rather a crude-looking crowd, except this Moy Wing was quite an intelligent-looking fellow. Mr. BUSIEK. When was your school founded, Professor? Mr. COWELL. Opened in 1875. Mr. BUSIEK. What is the name of the corporation? Mr. COWELL. Trustees of Cushing Academy. Mr. BUSIEK. And how many scholars had you in the year 1911 all together? Mr. COWELL. About 200. I don't remember exactly now. Mr. BUSIEK. About 200? Mr. COWELL. Yes. Mr. BUSIEK. Is that the highest number you have had at any time? Mr. COWELL. It has varied from 185 to 240. Mr. BUSIEK. And what are the terms of your school? Mr. COWELL. The tuition, board, and room, about $300. Mr. BUSIEK. Have you a catalogue, such as you sent this woman at the time in your file? Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir. Mr. BUSIEK. A catalogue for that year? Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir. Mr. BUSIEK. Will you please submit that to us so we can make it a part of this record? Mr. COWELL. Yes. Mr. BUSIEK. Now, who was the individual who taught these boys while they were there during that time? Mr. COWELL. Rev. J. J. Miller, pastor of the Congregational Church. Mr. BUSIEK. Is he in the city? Mr. COWELL. He is in Ashburnham. Mr. BUSIEK. Is there anybody else that they came in touch with there? Mr. COWELL. He was in charge of them, because all of our teaching force was engaged in the regular classes and because he was willing to come in and teach, and we paid him for it. Mr. BUSIEK. What did you pay him? Mr. COWELL. I don't remember. Mr. BUSIEK. Have you had any Chinamen come to your school under such circumstances before? Mr. COWELL. No, sir. Mr. BUSIEK. Had you ever taken any person or persons outside of the regular plan of having graduated from a grade school, as I understand it? Mr, COWELL. Occasionally we will take a younger student who is willing to be tutored privately until he can get ready for the regular classes; but very few. Mr. BUSIEK. This is the only instance of this kind that ever occurred? Mr. COWELL. Where we had a number of that kind. Mr. BUSIEK. A number of what kind? Mr. COWELL. As large a number come in that way. Commissioner O'CONNELL. Did you ever have any correspondence with the Hings before that time-before this occasion? Mr. COWELL. No, sir; I did not know anything about them until her first letter. Commissioner O'CONNELL. How did they come to write your school, do you suppose? Mr. COWELL. I don't know. She referred in one of her letters, I think, to an American consul, gave his name as a reference; but we don't seem to have that reference here. I think there is another letter from her somewhere in the files. Commissioner O'CONNELL, I think I saw a letter where she referred to some one over there. Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir; I think that is right. I thought probably she was legitimate because of referring to the American consul or vice consul. But that letter, I think, is somewhere in existence. Commissioner O'CONNELL. I think she wrote such a letter., Mr. COWELL. I think that is the first one she wrote or maybe the second. Commissioner O'CONNELL, Now, have you formed any idea at all as to the real purpose of those people in bringing those boys there-whether in your mind after your seeing that she was not really an English scholar such as to be a teacher, have you formed any opinion as to what their real purpose was? Mr. COWELL. Well, after the visits of the last inspector and what he told me of her history so far as he knew it and of similar attempts-I have had very strong suspicion that it was not for school purposes only-all of it; may have been some of it, but I did not suspect it at that time. Chairman WALSH. Have you had any Chinese students come in since that time? Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir. Chairman WALSH. How did they come? Mr. COWELL. They have come individually or recommended by some former Chinese students. Chairman WALSH. How many have you had since that time? Mr. COWELL. We have averaged 6 to 10 a year. Chairman WALSH. Have you a list of those students and whom they gave for reference? Mr. COWELL. I have them on file; yes, sir-somewhere. Chairman WALSH. I wish you would submit a list of those, if you please, Professor. Mr. COWELL. Some of them now are in the Boston "Tech." and Cornell, and I have heard from them since they have left. And three we had last year went up to the University of Vermont and have been there this last year. Commissioner O'CONNELL. Did you keep a record in your office showing just where they went or where they told you at least they were going? Mr. COWELL. Yes; and in fact I have heard from nearly every individual. I have a list of all the Chinese students in this country. Commissioner O'CONNELL. I wish you would give us a list of those, if you please. Mr. COWELL. There were two came to us from the Chinese rebellion, and I think they were sent to America as a sort of a reward and their bills were paid. Commissioner O'CONNELL, I wish you would give us a list of all you had beginning with these 20. Mr. COWELL. And you mean also before that time? Commissioner O'CONNELL. We will say for two years before that time and including these 20 and all you have had since that time together with the references. Mr. COWELL. Yes, sir. Chairman WALSH. Please, now, when do you think you could do that, Professor? Mr. COWELL. Well, I can not do it before next week, because I am starting on my vacation to-day for one week to Rhode Island. Chairman WALSH. Is there anybody else in the school could furnish it? Chairman WALSHI. Well I wish you would notify them then that we will have a man out there, the sergeant at arms, and to turn it over to him. Mr. COWELL. Yes. I could do it better if I could be there. Chairman WALSH. Yes; but we will be in town only two days and we want it as quickly as we can get it, because we may make some further inquiry about it. Mr. COWELL. Very well. Chairman WALSH. That is all, then. Thank you, Professor. (Witness excused.) (The following letters were presented in connection with the testimony of the Witness Cowell in addition to those read by him at the time:) PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL, Ashburnham, Mass. BRAINTREE, Mass., January 9, 1912. DEAR SIR: I have been asked to write you by Chin Bing, regarding Chin On, whom he says has been going to high school in your town, although he is not sure what school. Anyway the boy came down to Boston to see his friends and decided to stay here and go to school, but he says he did not pay for four weeks' board and Chin Bing wants to forward the money in payment, but has been unable to find out from the boy who to send it to, simply says he owes the teacher for four weeks' board. Now, if you can tell me if you have had a young Chinese boy in your school by that name, or if not and you will make inquiries among the other schools and see what you can find out, it will be very much appreciated. Yours, very truly, Has this been paid?" NELLIE BELYEA. CHICAGO, ILL., April 30, 1912. Mr. COWELL: Moy Wing wrote me that the balance due you for the four boys, Moy Fook, Moy Deuck, Moy Tone, Hugie Teong, was fifteen dollars, which amount I have sent him. If that amount is not all to settle our indebtedness, please let him know, and I will send it to you. With best wishes and kind regards, I remain, Respectfully, J. A. M. No. 2500/464-C. MOY FOOK. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, IMMIGRATION SERVICE, Mr. H. S. COWELL, Principal, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass. DEAR SIR: Acknowledgment is hereby made of the receipt of letter of January 4, 1912, from Chun Yun, at Deadwood, S. Dak., and same is herewith returned, in accordance with your request. Please accept our thanks for your courtesy in the matter. Very respectfully, yours, WMP GEO. P. BILLINGS, Commissioner. J. A. M. Bo. 200) 43 (. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, IMMIGRATION SERVICE, Prof. H. S. COWELL, Principal, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass. DEAR SIR: Acknowledgment is hereby made of the receipt of your letter of January 30, 1912, returning the photographs inclosed with my letter of January 29, 1912, with the advice that the photograph marked Moy Wing is that of the boy of the same name who is now at Cushing Academy. Thanking you for your courtesy in the matter, Very truly, yours, WMP J. A. M. No. 2500/439-C. JEREMIAH J. HURLEY, Assistant Commissioner. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, IMMIGRATION SERVICE, Prof. H. S. COWELL, Principal, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass. DEAR SIR: Herewith I return the letter of February 1, 1912, addressed to you by Moy J. Hing, relative to the failure of the Chinese students recently admitted to Cushing Academy to return to school at the end of the Christmas vacation, which was received by us this morning. Please accept our thanks for your courtesy in forwarding same. Very truly, yours, Chairman Commission on Industrial Relations, Washington, D. C. SIR: In replying to a request to relate my experience with Mr. Moy J. Hing and his wife, Sarah E. Hing, and the admission of some 20 Chinese students at the Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass., on or about November 17, 1911, I have to submit the following for your information: On June 29, 1911, I received a letter from Mrs. Sarah E. Hing, then in Canton, China, requesting a catalogue of Cushing Academy. On August 19, 1911, I received another letter advising me of the arrival of the catalogue, also stating that she would leave China for the United States on or about September 23, 1911, and would arrive at the academy about October 30, 1911. She did not reach the academy until about November 19, 1911. She explained that the delay was due to the authorities at the point of entry, which she had successfully overcome. The students were provided with quarters by themselves, as many of them could not speak any English and desired to be alone. We experienced no diflìculty with them. On reaching the Christmas holidays, a vacation of about two weeks, the Chinese students prepared to spend this time with their people-some claimed they were going to parents, brothers, uncles, etc. When the time arrived to resume their studies, out of the 20 students that came with the Hing's, only 3 responded. After waiting some days I notified Mr. George B. Billings, immigration commissioner at Boston, Mass., of the absence of the Chinese students. Subsequently I was advised by Mr. Billings that he would send an inspector to the academy to make an investigation. Soon thereafter Inspector McCabe called, and he was informed of the facts herein given. On January 20, 1912, I received a letter from Mr. Billings advising me that Inspector McCabe had located some of the boys attending other schools. In the meantime I had received several letters from some of the boys showing that they were scattered many ways-some as far West as Deadwood, N. Dak.; while others claimed to be attending at the Jones's Public School at Chicago, Ill. These letters I sent to Commissioner Billings, who returned them to me, stating that the department would investigate. In each case the writer inquired if there was any money due the academy, and appeared anxious to pay any claim against him. I also communicated with Moy Hing and his wife regarding the departure of the students they had placed in the academy, and in reply I was told by them that the boys did wrong in leaving and offered to find them, adding that they (Hing and wife) could not make them attend the academy if they refused. In conclusion I have to say that the Chinese students paid up in full for the period they attended the academy except $8.10-not the full year. That they appeared satisfied with their surroundings; that they appeared to wait until the Christmas vacation so as to have an opportunity to leave the academy the ensiest way, which is apparent in the letters which I have received from some of them. They were at the academy but a few weeks-from November 17 until Christmas. Yet on January 4, 1912, I received a letter from two of the boys mailed at Deadwood, N. Dak., to the effect that they had decided to remain with their friends in Deadwood. As Deadwood is many miles away and the date, January 4, is but a few weeks after they left the Cushing Academy, it is rather significant. Another letter from two of the boys, mailed at Chicago, January 6, 1912, states they are attending the Jones's Public School of that city. There are several others of which the above letters are a sample. The records and letters are on file at the office of the Cushing Academy and are subject to your wishes at any time. Very truly, yours, H. S. COLWELL, Prin. MOY J. HING, OF WO-HING CO., 18 First St., West, Duluth, Minn., 1, 22, 1912. Mr. COWELL: Dear friend excuse delay in answering youre's of the 11, but as I just received it I am not responsible I am so sorry my boys have been dissatisfied with the school I choose for them and one I feel sure is in every way an advantage to them. I have to day written to each one to know why they have did such a thing as to leave where I had paid and taken the trouble as you know which was not a little to give them the best. I will try and find out what the trouble is and let you know but as to their going to work I am sure they will not do that as I have the best of authority in regards to their going to school. probly they think the expences too high for beginners as some of their guardians so informed me. as to that. I will try and get a report and send same to you as erly as I receive one, as you will see from above I am going into a little business for myself, by the above address. Now Mr. Cowell I want to thank you for all you have done fore me and my people and also wish to assure you that I will do all in my power to get the boys back I cannot do more untill then I wish to remain ever youre most sincere friend. MOY J. HING. DULUTH, MINN., Feb. 1, 1912. MY DEAR MR. COWELL: You have no idea how badly I feel abought the boys leaving your school. I have written to each one in regards to same and so far have heard from too Lee Chung Lee Gunn they are both attending public school in Union Town Penn. Haw Kee Hong is going to Public school in Sanfrancisco Call, the above boys have guaranteed me as soon as they finish the Primer grade to return to Cushing Academy. each say that Bording rooming and Schooling is a little to heigh for beginners. Now Mr. Cowell do any of those boys owe you any thing if so please let me know. I will see that it is paid. I am realy honestly sorry but as they are realy going to school I cannot anything. I got nothing but trouble bringing them over here and am surely sorry I had anything to do with it I will think twice before I do a favor for any one again I have reported to the Emegration department at Vancouver myself. well as this is all at present will close. hoping to here from you soon I remain most Sincerely MOY J. HING. |