ABSTRACT
The history of the anti-Chinese labor movement in California has been outlined by Alexander Saxton, in his book The Indispensable Enemy, which gives significant attention to Burnette Haskell, Sigismund Danielewicz, and others active in the International Workmen’s Association and the Coast Seamen’s Union. The Coast Seamen’s Union began a discussion of the “Chinese question” at an October 27, 1885 emergency meeting. Within the Coast Seamen’s Union, the role of the I.W.A. was beginning to diminish as non-socialist rank-and-filers began to come to the fore. Among these latter stood Anders Furuseth, a young Norwegian destined to play a greater role in the history of the Union, and of maritime labor, than any of the I.W.A. partisans. Early in January 1887, Anders Furuseth was elected to replace Rasmus Nielson, who, occasionally alternating with other members, had previously served as the Union’s secretary.
