Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-01
Chinese In Court.
TIE CASE OF HOP SING AGAINST JOSEF PEN

change in the informatlons
Chinese In Court.
THE CASE OF HOP SING AGAINST JOSEF PEN.
The matter OF Sing versus Pen occupied the
attention OF Justice Helmick's court this morning
About ten immigrants from the F1owery Kingdom
appeared in the court room, on F street, between
IN and 10th, and large number OF native born
citizens OF Washington, both white and black.
crowded into the room. Hop Sing, the plaintiff
sued Josee c. Pen for possession OF laundry, No.
344 Pennsylvania avenue Mr.. r. +. Miller an-
peared as counsel for plaintiff. and MeSSrS Ed
Thomas and Fred MencoSsoS for Mr.. Pen.
CHINESE TAKING THK OATH.
Chum Lee. Chinaman who can talk English.
was asked how they swore In China, and said
they beid up the hand and swore they would tell
no lie. Chum Lee and others said they swore Oh
the Bible. Justice Helmick said he would then let
them be sworn. Five Cinnamon were then sworn
and kissed the Bible.
I'm my practice In California" said Mr.. Mencos-
Bible D''0' MIC" Il 0"'na''iau u swear Oh 'he
They become a little civilized here.- said Jus
tlce Helmick. 1--WE don't expect men 10 remain Ia
ignorance all their lives"
Mr.: Thomas read from the Chinese immigr ltlon
report to Congress passages showing the m u
ties experienced IN California In regard 10 the
oaths OF ChinamPn.
1.-THE District courts" said Justice Helmick.
they have come into court ana complied with the
forms prescribed don't see that have any right
the rellgl0uS Deilef OF these witnesses
any more than II they were atheists"
HOP SINGS STORY OF HIS WRONGS
Chnm Lee was then sworn as interpreter, and
Hop Sing was called up TO relate the story OF his
wrongs. He Is fve-foot Chinaman, with a fiat
face and big mouth. His plgtail was wound
around the crown or his head. He wore sandals
and dark-colored shirt, which was not tucked
into his trousers after the style that prevails gen.
erally In Washington ana the fashionable resorts
this summer, but was allowed to flap loosely in
nTppZa N RI nv, oY
or Mr. Sings friends present JoSee Pen and his
friends wore store clothes "alee samee likee
another sucked cane ana had an afr OF languid
WEAKNESS that was quite dude-nke. Hop Sing
stood up On one foot and kept turning his straw
hat In his hands as he was being examined He
said. or Chum Lee said for him, that he lived at
346 Pennsylvania avenue, where he had been In
sne laundry business for four years He never
Jo,ee Pen sort OF ATericanlzed Chinaman.
who has parted with his pgtall and looks like a
small-szed Ute chief. retired from business, here
sprang up and pointing 70 the bland Cnuln Lee
exclaimed ale lied. He said he never knew me. "
Then there was more chucking and grunt,ng
the result was that cbum Lee 's said i Mr. sing sing
had never known Mr.. Pen before three
months ago. Hop Sing. proceeding with his
monoSyliab1c tall, told The court that he had a
contract from Mr.. Pen.
THE CONTRACT
This contract was produced. It was a bit o,
red paper, about foot square, covered with pen
scratches and looking like the wrapper of pack
OF fire crackers, which was interpreted as follows
"WaSn1ngton, ID. C., June 18th, plare on PennSyl-
vania avenue, S44, Sell TO Hop Sing partition,
beeZnees and eyiything in the house for s55.
JOSEF Pen he promise never to rent again or do
promise to give him 1885, He swear he do all tn.
contract ny" Hop Sing, continuing, said be td
paid the $55 as per agreement Pen was 10 give
nlm possession when the money passed. Pen
never gave him the key, and he did not see him
again for two weeks When Pen came back Hon
Sing asked him for the key, and Josee Pen said he
wanted $50 more, and would not give him the key
because he wouldn't give nim the mon "
Upon cross-eX animation Mr.. Sing said that he
had employees Mr. Perry Carson 10 look alter the
business for him.
PERRY CARSON NOT CELESTIAL.
Several disputes arose as to whether Chum Lee
Interpreted correctly, Mr.. Pen denying it HOY
Sing before answering some questions turned &c
his countrymen and passed some words with them
This aroused PENS counsel who objected.
"They are all COUSINS" declared Mr. Mencossos
waving his hand SO as to take In the whole rank
OF Chinamen, IN the midst OF whom sat Mr.. Perry
II. Carson, tie well-known colored politician.
81 am no cousin, }" declared MIR. Carson.
Hop Sing said that he and Hop Lee were cousins
ana the others belonged to the same company.
MI. Miller here rested his case.
FOR THE DEFENSE
the Messrs Schwartzell. of Mr.. B. II. Warmers
Office, were examined to show that Pen rented the
place in question, but that Mr.. Carson had been
there to negotiate for it, and some Cinnamon,
whom witness could not identity.
Josee Pen then took the ST nd and Swore point
blank against all that the plaintiff had said. lie
never had spoken TO Mr.. Sing, never signed an
agreement and never sold his place. His place
had cost him S2f0, and he wouldn't sell it for $50.
Pen said he attended the Congregational church.
In rebuttal Mr. Miller called Wah Sing, Hop Lee
and Philip Arthur, an elderly colored gentleman,
who testified to being present at the interview be-
tween Pen and Sing, on June llth Wah Sing
and Hop Lee saw the money paid and Witnessed
the agreement
SURVIVOR OF THE JEANETTE EXPEDITION.
Tom Sing,the Chinaman who was one OF the sur
vivorsof tie Jeanette expedition, was called by the
defense to show that Pen was a stranger here ana
that IL Was the custom OF the Chinese when a
stranger came among them to try 10 break up his
bu >ness- Mir. Sing declined TO swear against his
race. This closed the testimony and the counsel
proceeded to argue the case.
Justice HeluIck. after the arguments were con-
cluded. held the case under adviSement.