The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-11-23
CHINESE CRIMINALS.

Sneak Thieves and Pawnbrokers-uow
Their Work Is Done.
Especial Correspondence
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. THE Chinese are
not noted for their great refinement in moral
perception, yet there is comparatively little
crime committed. When we consider the
great prevalence of poverty and the insecure
nature of the buildings in general, it is much
to the credit Of the people that SO little out
lawry prevails. An American burglar would
regard the task Of breaking through the walls
or low roofs Of Chinese stores aud banks as q
nero pastime. Yet burglaries are Of rare
occurrence. The principal offenders against
the law are petty pilferers or sneak thieves,
and their plumber is chiefly food or clothing.
II, ~perchance, articles Of greater value are
stolen, they are converted into cash at pawn
brokers' establishments, which are as abund-
ant in Chinese cities as they are in the
Bowery in New York. And when once q
garment is slowed away In one of these es-
Establishments it is exceedingly difficult ever to
recover it.
was once permitted to look into a Chinese
pawn shop, and the we'll fed proprietor be-
came quite communicative when he found
that VIC were not in search of my stolen
article. found tons on tons Of odds and ends,
which would battle all attempts at descrip-
ton. The leading stock seemed to consist Of
clothing, mems garments being stacked up
in great quantities. The proprietor informed
me, in answe to the question as to how he
disguised fine fur garments which were put
in pawn by light fingered gentry, that it was
an easy task to make over such garments,
completely destroying their identity. He
placed the rate Of interest charged for loans
on personal security at 2 per cent. per
month.
He also said that comparatively few put
articles in pawn with the intention Of re-
deeming them. Men Of means will wear a
garment until 1t begins to grow seedy, then
they ''soak it" with the p~awnbroker for as
much as they can get, but with no thought
Of ever retaining 1t. So that in reality
these establishments combine tho business Of
p%awnbroker, dealer in second hand articles
and fences for thieves.
There ere in all Chinese cities stores whose
entire stock in trade is obtained either from
these pawnbrokers or direct from sneak
thieves.
During business hours NO police patrol is
kept, although the streets are thronged with
rowing bands Of tramps and beggars, whose
fingers are only too ready to seize upon any
thing of value which may fall within their
reach. Every citizen is his policeman,
and has the power to arrest any one taken in
the net of crime. This power to arrest, and
the knowledge that upon his W vigilance
depends his protection, has developed the cat
like watchfulness of the Chinese merchant.
We SEQ this developed detective habit car
ried into operation in the Chinese laundry in
IA. 0.n- ~ I~@- "A >-~-.
Chinese laundry in the country is suspended
q bell, which sounds the alarm when any one
enters the door.
It Is a common sight to meet q merchant
or banker leading a cringing criminal
through q Chinese street to O magistrates
yamen. A well known criminal can walk
the streets unmolested, and may even carry
~unconcealed his burglars tools, so long as he
is not apprehended in the act Of crime, or
with stolen plumber in his possession. I have
seen as many as a dozen Of a wild and rag
ged vagabond tribe going through the street,
each carrying a bamboo rod, like a fishing
rod. to the end Of which was attached short
pointed iron hooks. l asked a merchant,
whose keen eyes followed the gang as they
passed by his store, who the men were and
why they carried those rods with hooks. He
replied that they were sneak thieves, and
those hooks were for the purpose of reaching
into open doors and fishing clothing and
such movable property out.
They generally visit their iniquities upon
the residents Of the moro secluded back
streets and outlying rural districts.
When clothing is put out on lines to dry on
wash day q guard must be placed upon the
lines to prevent them being stripped bare by
these fishing pole thieves. b. N. TON.