1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 251 I punish myself

As the first elder in this book, Yi Meng Wei Ma Jiageng!

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Not long after Liang Yao returned to California, California, which had been peaceful for several months, became commotion again.

On February 1852, 2, the "Journal of California" published, "Who is destroying the flowers of California?"Destroying the Future of California", and "Knowledge is power" (Knowledge is power, can also be translated as knowledge is power), "Knowledge is wealth" and other inspiring articles.

Old readers of the "California Daily" will know at a glance that this is an article written by State Speaker Liang Yao.

And every time Liang Yao's article appears in the "California Daily", it often represents the political trend of California in the future.

In major taverns and tea shops, and even in pavilions and tea sheds beside the road, literate Californians carefully read newspaper articles.

For those who cannot read, ask someone to read it to them.

The purpose of Liang Yao's publication of these articles is to correct the atmosphere in California.

The phenomenon of child labor persists. In addition to the greed of various companies for cheap labor, it is also partly due to the short-sightedness of some parents and the uneven emphasis on education in California where all ethnic groups live together.

Adult wages in California are higher than other states, and child labor wages are naturally higher than other states. Some short-sighted parents cannot resist the temptation to send their young children to factories.

As for whether it is because the family is really difficult that the children are sent to the factory, it cannot be said that there are no such cases, but there are definitely not so many.

At present, all industries in California are thriving, the economic situation is good, and there is no shortage of jobs. As long as you are not a lazy dog, you can basically find a job.

It is indeed much more difficult to get rich overnight in California today than it was two or three years ago, unless you hit a big luck in the gold mining area.

But as long as your hands are hardworking, it is not a problem to get enough food and clothing.

While the people of California were chewing on Liang Yao's article, another piece of news exploded among the people of California, causing shock waves.

San Francisco Steel Plant Wyatt resigned for employing child labor. The San Francisco City Court sentenced Wyatt to half a year in prison in accordance with California law, also for employing child labor.Wyatt ended up spending $1500 on huge bail to avoid jail time.

This is just the beginning. After the San Francisco Municipal Court dealt with Wyatt, the California Supreme Court issued a fine of up to $50000 to the San Francisco Iron and Steel Works for the crime of employing child labor, and warned that if there is no violation within a week If the fines can be paid off, the state government will take coercive measures to force the San Francisco Steel Plant to shut down for rectification.

Government-mandated closures and rectification of businesses is unprecedented in American history.

If it is in other states, the government would like to supply the steel plant for a large steel plant like the San Francisco Steel Plant, let the steel plant run at full capacity, step up production, and provide the government with more tax revenue.

The California Coal and Steel Union Congress also stated that if the San Francisco Steel Works does not pay the fine, it will be expelled from the Coal and Steel Union.

Any related companies within the California Coal and Steel Union who employ child labor illegally and refuse to pay fines will be expelled from the Coal and Steel Union.

Of course, it is impossible to suspend business for rectification.

Liang Yao's move was to show the outside world and show his determination.

The San Francisco Steel Plant contributed more than 70% of California's steel production capacity. How could Liang Yao be willing to stop the San Francisco Steel Plant for rectification.

The management of the San Francisco steel plant quickly published a review in the newspaper, admitted its mistake, and paid a $50000 fine on the same day.

Even Liang Yao himself published an apology in the newspaper, saying that the companies under the American Group illegally employed child labor, and he had an unshirkable responsibility.

The move caused an earthquake in the California business community.

It made all the factory owners in California shudder.

The San Francisco Iron and Steel Plant is an industry owned by the American Group. The state speaker is really ruthless, and even his own company has been fined hugely.

Following the San Francisco Steel Plant, factories in California with a history of employing child labor have received fines of varying amounts.

The San Francisco Steel Works paid the fines honestly and set an example.

After receiving the fines, most enterprises also paid the fines honestly.

Of course, there are also a small number of enterprises that are not afraid of boiling water, refuse to plead guilty, and refuse to pay fines.

They also organized protests against parents who incited child labor, and hired idlers to protest and demonstrate at the gate of the government.

Soon, crowds of protesters and demonstrators gathered at the gates of San Francisco, Sacramento, and various offices of the California state government.

Among them, San Francisco Civic Square had the largest number of protesters, with more than a thousand people.

Because not only the offices of the San Francisco City Government are located around the San Francisco Civic Plaza, but also the offices of the California State Government, courts, and councils.

Faced with the first large-scale demonstrations since the founding of California, the young California state government and the San Francisco city government were at a loss.

Except for a very small number of old politicians like California Senator Gerwin, most of the California politicians are political amateurs.

He has no experience with how to deal with crowds at demonstrations.

San Francisco Mayor Strauss is one of them.

Strauss held up a newspaper to cover his face and escaped the angry crowd. Seeing that Ge Wenzheng and Pan Zhengwei, chairman of Tongfu Group, were drinking tea at Tongfu Teahouse, he hurried to the teahouse.

After running into the teahouse decorated in Chinese style, Strauss, who was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, came straight to Ge Wen and said to Ge Wen out of breath.

"Mr. Ge Wen, what time is it? You are still in the mood to drink tea here! Both the state government and the city government were surrounded by demonstrators! I managed to escape from the municipal building."

"It's just a small scene, why worry? When I faced a demonstration of tens of thousands of people, I was not as nervous as you are now."

Ge Wenyun said lightly.

"Besides, you have been working for your employer for so long, don't you know what kind of person your employer is? Mr. Liang doesn't do things that are not sure, he must have already figured out a strategy to deal with these people.

You should learn from Mr. Liang how to keep calm in the face of emergencies. "

Ge Wen didn't take these people's demonstrations seriously at all.

Who is Liang Yao?

He can manipulate the people of the Eastern Consortium, the federal government can be controlled by him to death, and the standing regiment of the American Army can clean up when it comes. Will he be afraid of more than a thousand demonstrators in this area?

If these people can't be dealt with, Liang Yao's state speaker and deputy governor should quit as soon as possible.

"I can't learn Mr. Liang." Strauss rolled his eyes at Ge Wen.

"Mayor Strauss, don't worry, it's just a group of nightclubs. Come and have a cup of tea together. It won't take long for these people to disperse like birds and beasts in the forest when they hear a gunshot."

Pan Zhengwei took the teapot from the clerk, took a clean cup and poured Strauss a cup of tea.

Strauss drank the tea in the tea cup: "Your tea is good, and what you two said is very reasonable, but I still don't feel relieved. I won't meet Speaker Liang in person and report the matter to Mr. Speaker. , I always feel uneasy in my heart.”

After all, Strauss asked Pan Zhengwei for a fast horse, and galloped to Tingtao Garden to meet Liang Yao.

"After all, he's still a young man, he's not calm enough, and he needs experience. But then again, I really envy Strauss. When I was his age, I wasn't even qualified to carry a bag for our mayor.

It was lucky for Strauss to become mayor of a big city at the age of 23. "

Looking at the back of Strauss going away, Ge Wen said enviously.

"Mayor Strauss is still very responsible in his work, and I think that's why Mr. Liang appreciates him." Pan Zhengwei turned his gaze away from the window and said to Ge Wen.

"Your Excellency Ge Wen, let's talk about building Liulichang now."

"It's a glass factory." Ge Wen corrected.

"One meaning, one meaning." As he spoke, Pan Zhengwei poured a cup of tea for Ge Wen himself, "You are a politician with the most experience in politics in California, and I would like to ask you some questions about running for Congress, and I hope you can clarify my doubts .”

"Of course, we are business partners and even good friends. We are very comfortable getting along with you. If you are interested, I can also introduce some old friends from my hometown, Oregon to you.

Although the business environment in Oregon is not as good as that in California, there are still many business opportunities.For example, if the local Chinese products of Tongfu Group can be sold in Oregon, they will be very popular and very easy to sell. "

"Oh, really? That's great, Your Excellency Ge Wen, I think our cooperation will be very pleasant." Pan Zhengwei said very happily.

(End of this chapter)