The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
BEE AND STUMP.
Consul and Congressman Ex.
change Compliments.
More Testimony as to the Evil Of Chinese
Taken by the Subcommittee on Immi-
grafton and Natural cation.

Taken by the Subcommittee on lmmi.
grafton and Natural cation.
When the Sub Committee OF the Joint
Congressional Committee on Immigration
and Naturalization resumed its investiga-
ton yesterday morning Consul Bee was re-
called rs a witness. First he produced
copy of the re port of the Morton Committee,
and next be submitted statistics in refer
enee to the arrivals and departures OF chi
nese, claiming that there were $1,000 Gel
tificateS outstanding when lhe ocott EAciu-
sion Bill became a law.
This number of certificates were held by
Mongols who have not returned to the
limited States. Since the exclusion act
passed the excess of departures over arrivals
of Chinese has amounted to u, 761. Consul
Bee also took exception to the figures fur
nished by ex-Colector Hager, because he
could never make Hager's figures balance
with his own.
In answer TO questions the Consul ex-
planned that he boarded every incoming and
outgoing steamer with a secretary. He also
kept track of the transit Chinese, and, per-
haps, the eX-Collector did not. This was
probably the cause OF the discrepancies in
the different statements. Since the enact
ment of restriction and exclusion laws 61.552
Chinese have returned to China.
Congressman Stump took the statement
of departures for 1890, as furnished by the
Collector, and asked many questions that
had tendency TO confuse even such wit
ness as Consul Bee. Before the cross-ex-
animation was over Mr.. Bee was forced to
admit that the Custom-house did keep a
- oil iyoI- ot,G dan ,.t
ures, whether in transit or not, his previous
assertions to the contrary Notwithstanding.
The witness also confessed that many Chi
nese bonds in habeas corpus cases are worth
less. He explained this by saying that the
names of sureties were often given by dis
honest Chinese TO whom the names did not
belong.
II have nothing to do" he continued,
with Chinese habeas corpus cases or with
giving bonds or furnishing petitions after
they are remanded. Yes, it is a fact that
my attorney. r. d. Riordan, is the lawyer
who conducted the greater number of the
habeas corpus cases. 1t is my duty as Con-
sui here to protect the Chinese, as far
possible. When on board of n ship and l
ind Chinese wants an attorney, 1generally
recommend Mr.. Riordan. When Chinese
attempt TO CONS into the country. particu-
larly women, for immoral purposes we
always assist in preventing their landing"
''How can We secure the attendance of the
Presidents of the Six Companies?" asked
Mr.. Stump.
by sending them an invitation TO their
o flee at 72S Commercial street, l think that
is the number"
PHELPS METHODS THOROUGH.
Continuing. the witness said that the
methods employed by the present Collector of
the Port are thorough and exact He
had no reasons to give in support of his as
sertiOns thar his own records showed
geater number of departures than the state
ment prepared by Collector Phelps. Ofthe
o., SO who have departed since May 1882, he
could not give the exact number of Chinese
who had departed from cities in the United
States. lie could not approximate the num-
Der, but there is no doubt that great many
went back to China from foreign ports. Mr..
Phelps had been the most thorough in en-
forcing the law of any Collector since the
restriction and eXclusio n laws were passed.
The witness also gave an interesting
history OF the formation of the Chinese Six
Companies. There are six counties in the
Province of Canton and each company
represents one of those counties. Consul
Bee declared that the companies are purely
beneficial concerns. a Chinese never pays
a cent as dues, until he departs, when he
must pay sum ranging from 50 50 to 81 So
The companies also act as arbtratorS in the
collection IF debts and in the settlement Of
business disputes. The consul denied that
they lad anything to do with the system of
Chinese contract labor on this Coast.
While propOupding his usual puzzling
cross-questions, the representative from
Mary land was frequently interrupted by the
witness. This caused Mr.. Stump 10 ex-
claim: You can't get me off"
Il don't want TO get you OH, replied the
Consul testify.
His Imperial Majesty's representative
also made an elaborate statement as to the
? cuiiar methods employed by the high
binders.
''Whc is a highbinderP" asked Mr..
Stump.
"A tOugh-a Baltimore plng-ugly," was
the answer, quick as a fash.
Thanks, added the Marylander as his
stern countenance assumed still sterner
look. I'm much obliged to you. We
understand each other in the future"
HIGHBINDER SOCIETIES.
The Consul bit his liz and went on to say
that the highlander societies we're broken
up by the merchants and better class of
Chinese some fourteen Years ago; but they
were organized again some time hence BY
the advice of his attorney, the witness went
TO the Chief Of Police about five months
ago and made the proposition that if the
police would raid the highbinders and made
them disband the responsible Chinese would
indemnify the authorities against any dam
age suits that might arise. There are some
1900 highbinders here who should be con-
victed OF vagrancy. The largest society,
theC Chez Kong Tung, has some 800 members.
aud its office or headquarters is in Spofford
alley, between Clay and Washington
streets.
Mr.. Stump-Sergeant-at- 90 and
get the President of that society and have
him here this afternoon.
Mr.. Bee also took execution to the testi-
mony given by reporter on Saturday, and
SAID that the witness had committed
falsehoOd when he asserted that the Chi
nese Six Companies had imprisoned man
and forced him to settle demands for money.
Before the witness left the stand, however,
he apologized to the reporter who was
present In concluding, he said that the
six Companies are charitable organizations,
but he could not tell of any acts of charity
beyond sending aged Mongois back to
China.
j. S Manley, Deputy Clerk and Com
missioner of the United States District
Court. made an additional statement in ref
erence TO the disposition of Chinese habeas
corpus cases in the District Court from Oc-
tober l, 1888, to December /, 1890, as fol-
lows:
Number of cases brought, 14o1; discharged,
b33; renanded. 81 undetermined, 7S1. or the
81 cases Iemanded there have been executed
65; appealed to The United States Circuit Court,
u paii forfeited, Ii death OF parties. 4; re-
mands outstanding. 8. OF the 7S1 cases uDde-
termned about 100 pending on exceptions
TO the report of the referee about fifty of which
Icing recommendations for renands and about
1fty for discharges.
BY THE MEXICAN ROUTE.
George PattisOn, Customs Inspector of
Chinese, told of his voyage to EnSenada
with Chinese in transit for Mexico and
South America. During the voyage he
learned that fifty of the Chinese
were destined for the United States via
Mexico. Fifteen of the Mongols left the
steamer at Ensenada, but were arrested by
the Collector of Customs for the San Diego
District while crossing the Mexican border
Into this country.
The remaining Chinese left the steamer at
Guaymas, and by rail went to places near
the border. They were followed by Gov
eminent officers and arrested at various
places in Arizona after they had crossed the
border. This demonstrated the fact that the
Chinese were using Mexico as an under
ground rallroad to enter this country.