The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-02
ANGRY JAPS.
Serious Charges Against
A. II. Gaffeney.
Tie Japanese interpreter of the Inn
migration Bureau Likely to Get
Into Serious Trouble.

Cartain nrominent mem bers of the local
Jananese colony are on the warpath, so to
sneak. and they are after the scalp of A.
H G feney the inspector and interpreter
att.ched to the immigration Office in this
city. under ". 2. Stradiey.
For some time past Mr.. Gaffeney has
been subject 10 bitter attacks In the two
Japanese papers published in this city. In
these ARTICLES 1t was charged that Mr..
Gaffeney had been guilty Of gross mafeas-
anee ID the performance of his official
duty. TO sum up these charges il was
boldly declared that Mir. GaFeney had
been in the habit of compelling japanese
immigrants to pay him money in order to
secure landing III this country.
From attacking Mr.. Gatfeney in the
papers the Japanese took another course,
aud one which Will bring tie Inspector in
conflict with the Federal powers that be.
This action took the form of affidavit S,
which were fled with the japanese COuD-
sui, 5. Chluda, who In time handed them
over to Special Treasury Agent Phoenix.
and it now rests with tina, gentleman to
inaugurate the investigation.
There are three of these affidavitS pre-
pared So far, and they are made by
Japanese who came over 10 the steamer
Oceanic on her last voyage. In them they
positively declare that Inspector Gatfency
detained them on the steamer and told
them that unless they gave up to him
certain amount OF money they could not
land.
He took no money from them directly,
they say. but advised them to give II to the
Japanese carpenter on the Oceanic, who
would report to him. They assert that
they paid the money over 10 the carpe ter.
and that individual SAYS that he gave 1t 10
The Inspector
Besides these three Japanese, il is
claimed by Yamato Setter. editor of one
OF the japanese papers, that there are
score or mora of other Japanese who Will
testify that Inspector Gaffeney worked"
them for sums of money varying from So
to $50, according to the circumstances OF
the i'm migrant.
When seen by a CALL reporter last
evening Consul Chiuda admitted that he
had prepared the affidavits and had ma
terlal for others of a similar nature. He
preferred, though, not to discuss the mat
ter, as he had placed it in the hands OF
Agent Pheaix. and he believed that official
would hold Iigid Investigation.
He said that for months past the Japan
csc of this city had been indignant over
Mr. Gaffeney'S action, but it was not until
the affair on the Ocean that positive evil
dence had been secured.
Agent PheniX when seen last evening
was more explicit IN the matter.
at is true" he said, that Mr. Chiuda
laid these matters Def re me. aud l must
say that it is not the first time we have had
complaints regarding Mr.. Gaffeney. As
TO the truth in them ! cannot say until
have investigated the cases thoroughly.
$50 far | only know what he Japanese
Consul has told me after Interviewing the
japanese on the steamer. | believe there
were eleven other Japs who claimed to
have paid Mr. Gaffpney 81 apiece, but as
/ say, l must investigate further before |
speak defn' civ.
There is one thing: If there is good
evidence Mr.. Gaffeney will have to CO. al
though if he does l don't know what we
will DO for another japanese interpreter.
He is about the only white male inter-
prefer l know of. By the way, might
add that some time ago missionary made
q Omplai1t to me about Mr.. Gaffeney, but
there was nothing positive. However. l
can say no more until l investigate the
thing
". P. Stradley. who is Mr. Gaffeuey's
superior in the Office. was surprised when
spoken to about the affair, and said he
knew nothing Of it. and that he had the
utmost confidence in Mr.. GaffeneY. He
intended to in vestigate. however.
So the matter stands. Mr.. Gaffeuey
could not be found last evening, so his YER
sion of the affair is at present unknown.
But mean while the little brown men from
the Mikado's empire are preparing them
selves In every way to cause Mr.. Gaffeney's
downfall and revenge themselves for the
manner in which they claim he has proved
upon their pOcketboOks.