Businesses with Chinese competition exploited anti-Chinese sentiment to advertise their goods or services. In Los Angeles, in the early 1870s, these businesses were mostly limited to cigar makers and laundry businesses. In addition to advertisements, newspapers published articles supporting these businesses and reinforcing xenophobic propaganda. Below are several examples.
Los Angeles Daily News, Volume 2, Number 100, 28 April 1870
SMOKERS BEWARE.-- We hear many complaints concerning sore mouths, made by those who habitually smoke cigars.-- An exchange offers a solution which is unpleasant, but at the same time may have the merit of being true. Chinamen make nearly all the cigars manufactured on the Pacific coast. They moisten the ends, for rolling, with their lips. Large numbers of these Mongolians have lips ulcerated with foul hereditary diseases, and it may be that the sore mouths complained of, are thus communicated.
Los Angeles Daily News, Volume 2, Number 177, 29 July 1870
CIGAR FACTORY. -- Jacob Vogelsdotff, on Spring street, near the Post Office, manufactures for the home market a superior article of cigars, which will commend themselves to every smoker. The finest of tobacco is used, as the purchaser can readily see by visiting his establishment. Persons purchasing at this place will have the gratification of being free from suspicion of contact with loathsome disease, which must naturally haunt the imagination of the smoker of cigars made by the Chinese.
Los Angeles Daily News, Volume 3, Number 182, 3 August 1871
AMERICAN LAUNDRY. -- Mr. Mark Pemberton has perfected arrangements for establishing on San Pedro street at an early day an extensive laundry, fitted up with all the modern appliances. The business is to be carried on after the most improved style, and a conspicuous feature is to be the entire exclusion of Chinese from employment in the establishment. Such an undertaking as that of Mr Pemberton is laudable and merits the patronage which it will no doubt receive. Ours is a growing city and it is a time city institutions should come in vogue.
Los Angeles Daily Star, Volume 6, Number 286, 6 May 1873
LOCALS IN BRIEF.
J. S. O'Neil has started a laundry on a large scale on Ninth street, and proposes to do up linen in a more satisfactory manner than the button-breaking and shirt-tearing Mongolians. His order slate will be found at Brodrick's, and his advertisement in another column.
All articles and images Courtesy California Digital Newspaper Collection,
Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research,
University of California, Riverside.
Sing Yu
Marshal William Warren
The Torture of Sing Yu
The Carriage Event
False Accusations
The Abduction of Yut Ho
Commentaries on Chinese Prostitution
The Anatomy of Los Angeles in 1871
The Affray
The Chinese Massacre of 1871
The Aftermath
Analysis
Anti-Chinese Rhetoric
Anti-Chinese Violence
Anti-Chinese Sentiment In Advertising
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