Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-06-04
ORIGIN OF BLACKMAILIEG.
New Crime to be Laid at the Door of the
Chinese.


Chicago Times
Among the srchaisms which Chinese
civilization hiss brough, into the light Of
modern times is the blackmailing system
Of mo6ern Europe, which might merit the
attention of tie Pskin Oriental Society.
The city is like reservoir filed with
varied fish, all feeding on each other.
The transportation of bullion affords fine
pickings for many hungry mouths.
Among the army of parasites which live
on this land may be mentioned the por-
ters or carriers in the capital, who de-
rive very heavy emoluments from their
judicious handling Of the silver which
passes through their hands. No doubt
their gains are equitablY distributed
among their official patrons, who could
not touch the unclesn thing with their
own hand. But the wealth Of The porters
excites the cupidity Of others, who prey
on them. When porter is known to be
going on duty the banditti wsylay
him, his guard make resistance, but II
captured he is held for ransom, and may
have to part with half q years profits to
one successful raider. After the manner
Of the traders in the middle ages, these
wealthy porters seek the protection OF
powerful barons, here called Wang yeh,
or princes. One Of these lends the silver
carriers his cart snd mule, which the
ROBBERS do not care to NEEDLE with, and
for this service the Prince receives his
snare of the profits which would other
wise PASS, not without violence, into the
hands OF the bandits. The vulnerable
porters further protect themselves by
hiring prize fighters to sit on the shafts
SIS they pass thro ugh the streets OF the
open city. These men also have 30 be
exsTavagantly paid.
Another tribe OF parasites pervades the
ciIy-the pickpockets-Whose harvest is
in the wet season, when the roads are
nearly impossible. The other day man
boosted OF never having his pockets
picked, when within ten minutes his pipe
and case were snstched from his hand.
Another Yves carrying rich feather fan
in his hands, his finger throegh the
Topped string in the handle for precaution
=. hard tug from d thief cut his finger
and forced him to release his hold.
Ladies are often the victims, even
when riding in carts, and the thieves are
SO daring as to spring on the top of the
cart WhlIe in motion and snatch the yal-
liable head ornaments of the Manchu
ladies inside, the cart driver taking no
notice for fear Of his own skin. The
thieves are so well organized IS to have
regular depots where stolen property
is slowed, and persons OF irfi1-
cree can generally recover what they
have lost II they ere persistent enough.
Near one Of the gates is market where
stolen goods are regularly sold during
one hour 1t dsybreEk. Spurious articles
are often offered st this place.
For example, man thought he was
getting good bargain in roast duck,
but on reaching home he wss sur
prised to fed only clever imitation in
mud. There are slso excellent counter
feits in paper of the Chinese boats, which
dissolve a. mere sight OF water.
In the social arrangements OF the
Chinese, the philosophy Of grin and bear
it has been cultivated to an extreme
and is also, no doubt, |
archaic. Bystsnders will never interfere |
with the commission of 8 crime in the |
open street in open day, snd the whole
system of predatory crime is rolersted,ss
vermin is, as the ordinary lot Of human
lily. In fact, fouluess, impossible roads, !
defective laws, and ell other forms Of |
suffering, ere borne with for want Of the |
energy to resist and overcome them, and |
not, as is sometimes supposed, because |
the people really love these things.