The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-14
MINISTER DENNY IN CHINATOWN.
The HoOsier Visits the MOngols-1he Opium
Smokers and the Gamblers.
San Francisco Chronicle.

San Francisco Chronicle.
The hour was most Favorable for the work in
hand, as it was desired to show Dir. DENLY just
how the Chinese live and that they live in
manner which makes whitelabor competition
with them simply impossible. The shutting
sounds of thousands of Wooden-soled shoes that
are never wholly lifted from the ground strains
of barbarc music from orchestraS in theaters
and restaurants; the weird, minor-toned cries of
cheap-food vendors; skuking forms of high
binders disappearing like evil spirits In dark,
noissome passages; haggard faced, white opium
smokers, hurrylng to the resorts where they
find the only moments free from horrible long
ings; frightened groups of sight-seers-these
were the familiar sounds and sights of China
town. as the party started on its round. The
trip was made systematically and fairly; the low
depths the light places, and the amusements
and fair sides of Chinatown were all brought to
the notice of the party. The system of lodging
was first thoroughly investigated. In Streets
alleys and passageways, the lodgings of the
laborers were visited patiently, and until Mr.
DENLY said. in stifed tones II have had
enough"
Tho places inspected were so much alike that
a description of one answers for all. The rooms
whether two stories under ground or two above
were the same; Subdivisions by partitions and
shaky floors and these again by hunks made an
ordinary sized room, originally intended for
sleeper, answer the purpose of lodging for
score of coolies AS it was early in the evening,
many of the hunks were unoccupied but those
that had occupants were, almost without eXcep
ton, in the possession of laborers, who we're
smoking opium. IL one room an early smoker
was already under the influence of the drug and
lay back on his hard bunk like corpse with
fallen chin, half-closed. flm-covered eyes, and
skin stretched and leaden
'How much do these men pay for these lodg-
inss?7 asked Mr.. DENLY.
TWENTY-FIVE cents a week." answered the
sergeant
In the courts and passageways of all the lodg
ing houses the open charcoal fires, over
which the midnight meals for those who work
at night, making cigars boots and shoes and
clothing, were being prepared. Some Of the
cooking ranges were in reeking and foul cellars
where tie air overpoweringly vile that
hasty retreats were beat by the uninitated Of
the party. The men who found lodging for %
cents week. there cooked their meals, costing
cents each
After visiting great number of such places.
where 80, 600 laboring men live. contrast was
sought by T.e:s. - one Of the theaters The
party was led through tortuous underground
passages and winding staircases, which wruns
from Mr.. DENLY the remark: Il never saw such
wonderful economy of space" and the party
reached the stage OF the jackson street theater.
The house was packed by Chinese the stage
room of the actors and musicians was greatly en-
croached upon by the audience and the party
remained only until some nervous member sug-
gesed the result of cry of Fire" Then a
light and airy and clean looking drug store was
visited. Sergeant Birdsal drew out two or
three drawers One contained dried and
stretched lizards; another was filed with dried
ccckroaches.
What do you do with theseY7 asked The SER
geant. daringly lifting handful of the latter
and letting them run through his fingers
Make tea for rich man." answered the pro.
pretor, proudly.
last Chance alley was next visited This is
a quarter of Chinatown few white people have
ever seen. If many should see it and realize as
only visit to the place make person real
ize, the incredible brutality. the degraded and
awful misery to which the Chinese subject their
aged and sick, it is not likely such condition of
affairs would be allowed to remain. "Step
right this way, Colonel" said the sergeant hold
ing his candle above his head Mr. Denbv
followed by others of the party, stepped into the
tumbled down rookery, and ptiful sight met
their eyes The first room was occupied by two
aged Chinese One was SO near death that he
could not raise bis head from the wooded bunk
on which he laid, and the ragged blanket which
the sergeant turned down from his shoulders
disclosed a creature in the form of a man but
so matted with filth, so shrunken and uncared
for, that the last semblance of humanity had
nearly disappeared The other inmate Of the
room sat up in his bunk as the party entered.
and gibbered hurriedly as he pointed to his siiry
skeleton legs Ill imbecile appeal for some assist
ance
They are thrown in here to die" laconicaIly
remarked the sergeant opening a door to
another room. We're score of boxes ware piled,
anu ny tnc sizes OF winch chinese sat smOk-
ing
Those boxes contain the scraped bones of
Cinnamon. They ready to be shipped to
China" explained the sergeant
No description can ever give stranger the
remotest idea Of this, gasped Err. DENLY, as he
stepped out into the open air.
The party was next shown the Chinese restau-
rants--those patronized by the merchant class
There everything was clean cool, we'll ventilated.
rich and comfortable. The chairs carved old
teak, inlaid with pearls and panels of beautiful
marble The servants were fresh-looking in
telligent, attentive and polite; the tea was ex-
quisite, the balconies picturesque and enticing
There are lights and shades in Chinatown.
Next the criminal side of Chinatown was in.
vestigated Room after room where opium was
being smoked, but under conditions outside the
restrictions of the law; gambling games, where
the STEEL clad doors were only opened after the
evidences of the games were destroyed pawn
shops, where Chinese sneak thieves fence"
their booty; houses of prostitution whore white
boys are lured by Chinese women who ask their
patrons but twenty five cents; domino games.