New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-28
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SAN FRANCISCO.
SPURIOUS CHINESE TRADERS-JUDGsiENTS
FOR THE E-COLONIZATION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.l


SAN Francisco, Oct. 27.-The Custom House
authorities have been dealing all the week with tho
knOtty problem of Chinese traders" who demand
admittance TO this country The majority of tho
applicants have not yet landed. Two Cinnamon.
who claim to be traders are actors. One young
coolie, who looked like Chinese "hOodlum,n pro-
fessed to be a student, and had small library Of
Chinese classics in his bag. Others fish pedlers
and laborers dressed in silk garments to throw dust
in the eyes of the officers. IL they succeeded I'm
reaching Chinatown their clothes would be stripped
from them and the ingenious dealer who
hired them as lay figures would make handsome
profit by the evasion of duties. These spurious
Chinese merchants had been coached in regard TO
answering questions, but many became hopelessIv
involved when cross-examined. The responsibility
for sending over these disguised coolies seems to lilo
with the Canton Superintendent of Customs, who
is charged with issuing traders certificates for s.
each.
The State has finally won in long contest against
ex-ImmigratiOn Commissioners Bunker and Van
Ness, who pocketed the head-money col
ected from imported Chinese coolies, and
then refused to turn it into the Treasury.
Judgment for $4,000 was given this week
against Bunker, and for about $500 against
Van Ness. Neither had shadow Of a claim
on the fees collected, as each drew good salary
and liberal provision for clerks.
The principal comedy in the local courts this week
has been the sequel to the Sharon case. WIN.
Nelson, who brought charge of adultery against
the ex-senator, has sued Sharon for $4,000 be-
cause Sharon's counsel called him a blackmailer.
Nelson has 50 unsavOry reputation as to be be-
yond the reach of libel. He claims to have been
beaten few days ago on the street by two men
armed with brass knuckles; but there are no wit
nesses to the affair except small boys.
scheme for colonization in Honduras
has grown out of the visit Of President Soto TO this
city. local company, backed by several capital
lists has obtained q concession of 100000 acres of
land. party of colOnists will start for Honduras
in February next aud another party will follow in
the spring. 1t is expected that the demand for sup
plies by the Panama Canal labOrers will furnish
good market for much produce. There seems 10 be
grounds for anticipating success although Ameri-
can colonies which have been fitted out here thus
far have been disastrous failures.
The rainy season has fairly begun. Heavy show
ers are falling this week. They will do some dam
age to late grapes, but this is more than
compensated for by the impulse given to
the grass Here the rain has laid the intolerable
dust and done good service in clearing out tho
sewers.
Mexican residents gave a masquerade ball to-
night for the benefit of the sufferers by fever in
Mazatlan and other cities. The sale of tickets was
large and the entertainment great success. It
was preceded by a street torchlight procession OF
Mexican military companies in picturesque uni
forms.
Boucicault closed a successful three weeks en-
gagement tonight. 1t was marred only by sick
ness of several days with the peculiar complaint OK
neuralgia of the heel which led medical wits, with
small Latin and less Greek, to air time-honored aliu-
sions to Achilles. Although BOucicault brought no
new plays, he packed houses 10 see old favorites-
scoring especial success in Kerry" The Califor-
MIA Theatre opens next week with "rhe ROmany
Ryen which certainly won't fail for lack of adver-
tising. Cheap variety shows and minstrel perform
ances fill the other playhOuses.