Morning journal and courier., 1894-05-11

ls called the Palace hotel of Chinatown, @ small, square band box with 8 little open Ing in the center around which are little rooms no larger than Q good sized closet, where are located the vilest of the opium dens. In one of the largest of these rooms we saw sixteen men piled one upon anott- CT in little hunks reaching to the ceiling, all of whom were smoking the terrible drug. We watched them as they patiently filled their little pipes, cooked the opium over spirit lamp, took two or three whifs and then, their pipes being emptied, re- peated the operation until they dropped off ! into a stupor, and were theE as dead to | the world for the next five hours ca log | of wood.
 Leaving this awful fcsne of degradation wa next visited the best restaurant in Chinatown, where we really saw some mag nihcant furniture and fittings. We took & lunch here of some excellent tea, cake and delicious candied fruite. We had the good luck to reach this place while. 8 Chinese wedding supper was taking place. One of the nabobs of the district had lately mar rled and leaving his bride at home had in- vited some of his friends to help him make a night of it: and they were succeeding glorlously. They were feasting, singing, shouting and drinking whisksy out of queer shaped little tea pots. During the banquet a concealed orchestra played some of the most discordant music that ever heard, the Midway Plaisance melodies being tame to this, and every few minutes, to make things worse, the diners would rise up in body and give yell that would put brek-ke- ke kex in the shade. We did not blame the bride for staying st home If she cared to preserve her nerves. We were very much amused to see the whole roomful of Chinamen fnieh their course dinner with broilsd rice eaten with chop sticks. One of their dishes consisted of bird's-nest jelly costing dollar an ounce. Leaving here we went next to @ Chinese thester. There are two in the quarter, e8ch one being run week at time. All Americans are given seats on the stage be- side the actofs. The body of the house was filled with Chinamen, who stood up, thtre being nc seats, and with their hats on. The orchestra sat upon the stage and when they felt like it encouraged an actor by beating tom tom or raspirg fiddle. Last night we chanced to see 8 tragedy of the military order and we also saw the finest actor in Chinatown, who gets 8 sal ary of $2, 900 to $500 year. No women | are allowed to act.
 They use very little scenery and put most of their money into costumes, which are ! very fine.
 Leaving the theater by back way we ! passed through some of the small streets
 and blind alleys where. it is said, no | criminal is ever found if he once elndes | the San Francisco police long enough to
 hide away here. That all-powerful society,
 the High Binders, always protects it's members and never allows Chinaman to
 bs captured.
 ! On one street we entered shop to price ! some ivory carvings, and were told that 1 we could have an image of one of their
 deities, a very fue piece of work, for $65.
 We told the talkative attendant to put us l up 8 dozen and then walked out of the
 store wondering if we would not soon be | charged for the fresh air in Chinatown!
 Our last visit was to temple, or joss-
 house. Here we found organism In all its
 glory. As we entered the temple msgni.
 ficent shrine of carved wood, composed of
 over 100, 1000 pieces, confronted us. The
 whole had been gilded, and was certainly
 kn exquisite piece of workmanship. In
 one corner stood a large gong, used to wake I up the God of War, and 8 basin of water
 for him to bathe in. A candle Is kept eve1
 burning on his shrine. A magnifcen,
 coat of armor was ready for him to put or
 and in another corner 8 solid silver bow
 tall as man was waiting for him to drinf | libation out of, from which we decided II
 dous old topper.
 Side by side with ths religious equipment ! may bs found all the paraphernalia for { , quiet little game of fan-tsn, the arrange , ment being that the temple shall receiv.
 half the winnings.
 This temple Is run on business princi ples, as every year it is let to the highes bidder, who has the privilege of selling
 fireworks, incense, etc., to the patrons snt visitors. Ths present incumbent pay I $3, 800 rent. The walls of the entranc, l room are lined with the amounts of dona tions to the gods and each mans etsndin, , with the divinities is judged by his dona l tions. Possibly they adopted this unique . ! plan from some of our millionaire churche ! ! where the men who pay the highest peV 1 rent get the most religion.
 We had now epent about three hours il , Chinatown and had pretty thoroughly seel f ! the sights. We returned to our hotel feel I ing we'll repaid for our time and none, , I spent, but with very different views iron
 those we had entertained before our tri] a in regard to the innocent and in i I offensive John Chinaman. We wer , l obliged to agree that one of the bes
 pieces of work Hon. James G. Blaine eve 1 accomplished was when through his per P sistent efforts he brought about the re , striction of Chinese immigration, fol knowing as he did from personal observa tion the depravity, vice aud wiekedness s | | the Chinese on the entire Pacific coast, h. f l could not but feel that the benefits of chea]
 labor were more than offset by the gres evils of the opium habit and the non
 assimilation of the 120, 900 Chinese witl , l the other people of this country.
 z It is only O matter of time when ever, Chinaman in California will be driven on of the state, the movement having alread.
 bsen begun in the state of Washington.
 Let us hope that the time will be short T. G. ADAMS.