The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-01
THEY FOUND NO JOINTS.
10 tho Opium Den Law OF the City r,
spected by Chinese3

10 tho Opium Den Law OF the City Re-
spectcd by Chinese'
Is the opium den law OF this city re-
spccted by the Chinese?
This question suggested itself 10 m Ar
rEAL man as no watched gang Of these
willy, Acknowledged denizens as they drifted
from a courtroom after on exciting trial
between them.
In a city like San Francisco, where these
aliens number among the 'steen thousands,
the 'joinl' Is an open institution, though
maintained In violation OF the law.
The influx into this city about ten years
ago OF large number OF Cinnamon and
tho establishment Of innumerablc laun-
dries, naturally introduced In quiet way,
the aboninal native custom Of opium
smoking. There are the fcwcst number OF
these people who do not betray in heavy
eyelids and the colorlcss features, the sure
signs OF the habits.
That a number oil laundrics were but
masks for the more remunerative profcs-
sion OF Joints" soon became known 10
the police and city authorities. Hence
the law enacted years ago, which makes II
| a punishable oifense 10 maintain such an
institution.
Time and again suspected spots were
raidcd, the proprietoB arrested and the
1 inmates jailed. The persistent efforts oi
the police did great deal toward breaking
up these dens, and many poor wretch
owes his life 10 timely rescue nj the
hands Of the police.
Various rumon had reached the ears o
TnE ArrKAL man Of the orgies In Ger
tain den and OF the suspicious entertained
against other spotted" houses. He wa
inclined 10 suspect that the Chlnaman''
natural greed for money would ovcrcom,
any scruplcs In regard 10 the law.
whilo living In holy terror OF the latter
the cunning Oriental would only be too
Glad 20 make handsome income from Oh,
Joints, "ii Il could be done without dcteo
ton.
Tho reporter disguised himself In rough
flannel shirt, SLOUGH hat and tough expires
sion, and In company with n companion
similarly rugged, started on tour OF inycs
tigation. Perhaps unfortunately for sue
cess, too early hour was selected, but q
ten O'Clock the pair stepped into n wei
known laundry noar South Main street
and loungcd over the counter ostcnsibly 4
engage Tor weeks wishing.
The bright and intellieent-looking at
tendant eyed the visitors cautiously an,
waited for thcm 10 open the conversation
The reporter slowly wrote on n slip o
paper "want smoke" and handed q
him. but he protested entire ignorance o
written English, and he was compelled /,
repeat verbally. When no comprehendet
what was wanted he throw up his hand
In n most deprecaiing way and shook hi
head solemnly as u smoke meant insian
death.
"No smokcc here. Dc poleecc COM
any time -catchcc," and he again role,
up his eyes and claspcd his hands, rs
the police were his malignant enemies
The visitors urgcd that the police wer
not apt 10 raid him, and that they eoul'
enjoy n little smoke for half an hour
But, while he did not deny his ability q
give the desired rcircshment, the fear o
police vigilance acted as wholcson
rcslrant
The place was a neat aud orderly !sun
dry and there was little 10 indicate that
was The rosort Of habitues 81 tho joint
ana yet report makes II ole Of the mos
notorious In town. While Wah Sin sshi
was something like his namc) was unw'l|
Ing TO entertain the visitors, he was profns
In his directions as 10 the place where the
would be welcomed with open arms.
''sin Loo or Phil Leo" anyhow ono Q