The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-15
WILLIAM T.. 5. FALEs.
CHINESE CRIMINALS.
Sneak Thieves and Pawnbrokers How
Their Work l. Done.

Special Correspondence
SAN Francisco, Nov. The Chinese are
not noted for their great refinement IN morat
perception, yet there - comparatively little
crime committed. When We consider tho
great prevalence of poverty and the insecure
nature Of the building m general, IT is much
10 the credit Of the people that So little out
iawry prevails. An American burglar would
regard the task Of breaking through tie walls
or low roofs of Chinese stores and banks rs
mcrr pastimc Vet burglaries are Of raro
occurrence The principal offenders against
the law are petty pilferers or sneak thieves,
and their plumber is chiefly food or clothing
II, pcrchance, articles OF greater value arc
stolen, they are converted into cash at pawn
brokers establishments which are rs abund-
ant In Chinese cities as they arc in tho
Bowery in New York And when once
garment is slowed away I'm one Of these es-
Establishments 10 is exceedingly difficult ever 70
recover H.
was once permitted 20 look into a Chinese
pawn shop, and the We'll led proprietor be-
came quite communicative when he found
that we were not an search Of any stolen
slltIf ANAiA A'iIlH " A'lin iNI NiAn lfill tltlNs
which would battle all attempts at descrip-
lion The leading stock seemed % consist u
clothing, mems garments being stacked up
ln great quantities The proprietor informed
me-, u answer 20 the question as 10 how no
disguised fine fur garments which wcre put
n pawn by light fingered gentry, that 10 vas
an easy task % mako over such garments,
completely destroying their identity IIe
placed the rate OF interest charged for loans
on personal Security 40 = per cent per
month.
He also said that comparatively few pat
articles iu pawn with the intention Of re-
dccmng them Mem Of means viii wenr
garment until 10 begins % grow seedy, then
much as they can get bat with no thought
of ever reclining d. $50 thlt Ia reality
these establishment, combine the business Of
pauubroher dealer in second hani articles
and fences for thieves
There are i'm all Chinese cities stores whose
entire stock DO Trade b. obtained either from
these raNubrokors or direct from sneak
thcyc.
During business hours no police patrol IS
kept. although the streets IRE througed with
rowing bands of tramps and toggafs, whose
fingers are only TOO ready 10 sci2e upon my
thing Of value which may fall within their
reach Every citizen IS his own policeman,
and Las tho power % arrest amy one taken in
the act of crime This power 10 arrest, and
the knowledge that upon his own vigilance
depends his protection has developed the cat
ike watchfuuoss II the Chinese merchant.
We scc this developed detective habit car
rioI INTO operation IN the Cnineso laundry in
the American cities Over the door OF every
Chinese Laundry IN the country IS suspended
a bell. which sounds the alarm when any oao
enters the door.
Il is a common sight 70 meet a merchant
or banker leading n ,cringing criminal
through Chinese street e. q magistrates
yamcu. 4 well known criminal can walk
Tie streets unmolestci, and may even carry
unconcealed his burglar tools, ~ long rs ho
isnot apprehenlod in the act u crime, or
with stolen plumber ia h.s possession. / haye
seen ~ many az a dozen az Wild and rag
gel yagabJnd tribe going through the street,
cach carving bamboo rod, like fishing
rod. o. the end Of which was attached short
pointed iron hooks / asked a merchant,
WHOSE keen eyes followed tue gang rs they
passed b. his store VINO the men wero and
why they carried those rods with hooks. He
replied that they were sneak thieves, and
those hooks were Tor the purpose OF reaching
into open doors and fishing clothing and
such movable property out.
They generally visit their iniquities upon
the residents Of tho more secluded back
streets and outlying rural districts.
When clothing IS put out on Ines 10 dry on
wash day guard must be placed upon the
lines 70 prevent them being stripped bare by
these fishing pole thieves Is. =. Ton.