Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-01-13
A CELESTIAL SIGN.
THE NATURE OF CHINESE MUTUAL
AID ASSOCIATIONS.

Result. OF an Inquiring Reporters In
vestigations "A Chinaman's Explana-
tIon-The Detectives' Account by No
Means Complimentary.
Patrons OF the Clay street cable line, which
passes through Chinatown, have marveled
much at tho possible meaning Of good En-
glish sign swung boldly to the sight Of all
mon from the third story Of u building on the
south side of Clay street. short distance
east of Stockton 1t is respondent with gilt
lettering and gracefully draped with red
cloth. It appears bold and businesslike. 1t
reads: Jog Lum Sen Fong, Chinese Mutual
Aid Association" These words have a ring
to them that Is especially pleasing to the ear
of an American. They sound modern. They
uggest All institution possible only to modern
conditions Of trade-the mutual benefit asso-
citation, the most recent and as yet unfinished
institution of our democratic freedom. But,
above all, it is gratifying to our race pride to
think that the belated son of the Orient has
observed in our keeping something else that
he must perforce copy.
A reporter entered the Railways OF the
customary Chinatown rookery, climbed three
flights Of narrow, dirty and dark stairs and
making his way through All implanted, un-
planned redwood door, found himself i'll a
Chinese business Office. The Joss was there,
squutted in his tinsel altar bcyiinled with
punk smoke and hog fat. Facing this divinity
there was the usual low platform, softly car
peted Upon this sat, in truo Oriental
fashion, three cross legged Cinnamon smok-
ing their tobacco through long tin caus filled
with water
"What you wantN said one OF them.
The object of the visit was stated
"Me no sabee No talkee English" was the
quick, suspicious RESPONSE and the three
| Ceestials became rs mute as the little mus
| tached gods in front of them They smoked
OH, totally oblivious of the strangers pres
| ence and after glance at the semi barbar
ism about him, he left the room.
MORE PRETENTIoUs SIGN.
| On his way down Clay street still more
pretentious sign attracted his attention. 1t
was swung from the top Of building on
| Waverly place, and bore the words, ''Chinese
and American Mutual Protective Associa-
ton" Again the stairway was threaded,
and an apartment similar to the one just de-
scribed was found on the top floor. But
there appeared to be no one present. The
little gol sitting on his heels and peering out
through a cloud of incense smoke was alone.
Presently, however, a confused hobblng was
heard in one of the dingy passageways that
lcd from tho room, and Celestial mades his
appear Guiding himself by the wall, he
ncar,r n airar, and then, turning to the
visitor, revealed the fact that he was stone
blind.
The usual question, "What you want" was
asked and answered, and then the Chinamali,
after explaining that he saw nothing but only
heard, explained in very fair English the
purposes of the society. He said, i'll effect,
tina, Is rs closely modelled after the Amer
lean pattern The members pay SO much
per month, in this case 81. and i'll return get
all tho benefits that cooperation can afford.
If they become sick they are sent to a Chinese
doctors medical establishment and their ex-
penscs paid it, through advancing age OF
loss OF health, they are no longer able to earn
their living in this country, their fare back to
China is paid; if found poor on the streets,
they are taken to the home of the association
and fed and clothed; if out of work, they
seek it through the aid of the society. The
blind informant stated that every week the
office receives letters from the country call
ipg for laborers and tlsen, when a member
brcatcs his last, the society sees to it that hi,
bones arc in due time shipped to the lands Of
his fathers.