The morning call., 1890-07-29
A SCATHING ANSWER.
Chief Crowley's Return in the
Bingham Test Case.
The Presence Of the Chinese in the Heart Of
San Francisco Is Menace to Property
and the Communi,y's Morals

The test case of Chae Yuen, involving
the validity of the Bingham ordinance for
the removal of the Chinese from the quarter
now occupied by them, came up yesterday
morning in the United States Circuit Court
before Judge Sawyer. The little difference
of opinion between the District and The
City and County attorneys as to who should
represent the city in the litigation seemed
to have been satisfactorily smoothed over,
for Assistant City and County Attorney
Humphreys appeared for the city.
The most important proceeding at the
hearing yesterday was the presentation Of
Chief of Police Crowley's answer to the
traverse of Chae Yuen. In this traverse
Cha Yuen denies the power OF the city to
remove Chinatown, and states that there
are no facilities in the district set out in
South San Francisco for the new Chinese
quarters in tie way of lighting, drainage
or water supply,
Chief Crowley's reply is a long and
scathing denunciaton of the Chinese race.
In it he denies the allegations of Chae
Yuen and says that the district set apart
fer the residence of the Chinese in South
San Francisco is more than five times as
large as the territory they now occupy.
1t is laid out in blocks and lots; street run
tHl IL dI thCOity nus
an engine house and police station there;
the place is well supplied with stores. and
street cars place the quarter within easy
and convenient reach of all parts OF the
city.
CROWDED IN ONE LOCALITY.
The answer states that 9S per cent of all
the Chinese in the city live in the Chinese
quarter, which is located in the most beau
tiful, attractive and convenient portion OF
the city for residence purposes. Its loca-
ton Is central and III the very heart OF the
city. Through it and extending to remote
portions OF the city run several important
cable-ralway tracks, and inhabitants living
north and west of the quarter are obliged
to pass through it daily.
Il is set forth that all the property con-
tlguous TO the quarter has greatly deterlo-.
rated in value, except only such portions of
it as are used by the Chinese for immoral
purposes, and that the quarter has been
and is slowly extending and running the
property near which 1t approaches. Con-
tlnuing the Chief AYERS:
That the Chinese as race-tbat is the cOmmu-
niTy OF Chinese IN this city as race-cohmlt
more crimes and oflenseS against tue laws III
proportion TO their numbers than any other race
or community here, and The detection OF tile per-
petraIOrs OF such crimes Is more difficult Than
The detection oil criminals OF any other race, be-
cause OF the refusal of eye witnesses OF that race
TO disclose the identity OF such criminals ana as
they conc al their names from the officers OF the
law. They defy and disregard The laws ana violate
them often with impunlty, because Of their race
characteristic OF cOnceailng the identity Oh Tue
perpetrators Of crime.
NO RESPECT FOR LAWS.
That for eighteen years last past have been
Chez of Police Of this ely and county and have
had great experience Ill tying 10 stopcIine IN
the aforesaid Chinatown; that from said eXpe-
rence aver that the Chinese have no respect
fot our laws-ellher Federal or State; that when
they are arrested they reSortto all kinds OF maud
and perjury 10 evade punishment. ana owing TO
lhel want Of respect Tor an oath IL Is almost I'M
possible 10 convict them.
That the Chinese ate menace and dangerous
10 es tabished Institutions. They commit
murder in Chinatown IN open daye It, In The
presence OF Witnesses OF their own race, ana IL
Is rarely conviction can be secured, because
they withhold all information from tie auihori-
lies that Will aid IN any way 10 u conviction or
discovery vi the perpetrators Of the crime.
The Chinese abandon their incuGaOle invalids,
and also lheir sick without means OF support,
often placing them IN feeble or dying condition
on lie streets 10 die. They have no regard for
the obligations Of an oath as administered in our
courts. Their general habits, manners aud Gus
toms are different from ahd fepughant 10 those
Of the white aud all other races and as race
the Chinese assimilate with no other.
LESS THAN 1000 FEMALES.
That In the year 1880 there resided in this
ely and county 2 1872 Chinese, ana lheir num-
Der since has not materially changed. VI This
number bull small portion, less than. 1000, are
females, and the greater portion OF these fe-
males are women OF i'll fame living an aban-
coined lie upon the wages OF prostitution.
Tie presence OF the Chinese IN that portion OF
the city and county designated as the Chinese
quarter, aud at all places where they reside at
present in groups or III any numbers Is danger
Gus 10 the morals and offensive 10 The senses OF
people OF other races and particularly dangerous
10 the morals ana health of the young and lmml-
ture oil both sexes OF other races.
That they would be less dangerous and njuri-
Gus 10 The people of olher races II they were To-
Gated within The limits designated III said ordi-
nance Than where now lOcated-but wherever
located they are dangerous on account OF their
national vices ard criminal tendencies to the
people OF other Iaces-lf they come In contact
Will such other people at ALL
By mutual consent of counsel the case
was continued until Monday next to give
Attorney Riordan time to reply to Chief
Crowley's answer.