New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-11
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
CHINESE FRAUDS MADE EASY-A DIVERS
FIND-NOTES AND COMMENTS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBrkE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TRIBrSE.l
San Francisco Feb. 10-It has been discovered
by the officials OF the Chinese Registration Bu-
reau that the Gray act opens the door TO many
frauds despite the excessive care taken to guard
against them There is nothing to prevent the
Chinese from registering in several towns ana
then dsposing Of duplicate certificates TO China
men whose faces resemble the photographs.
Then under the law applications for certificates
with photographs attached may be made to a
notary public by Chinese who live remote from
registration bureaus in large towns. a dishonest
notary may permit the filing of photographs ana
descriptions of coolies now in China ana the
certificates can then be sent to Hong Kong ana
sold for 5000 or $500 each. Although efforts are
made to identify each holder by personal MARKS
the officials admit that portraits ana marks
cannot prevent fraudulent impersonation Even
scars can be made TO order In Hong hohe anu
applicants thus fitted TO pass even searching III
ouirv AZ this port Judging by the keen desire
shown by thousands Of Chinese In Hong Kong
and Canton to enter this country. there Is sure
10 be much fraud in this certificate business.
Some relics Of the sunken steamer Brother
Jonathan have been brought here by uiNer'
John F.. RYAN. who asserts that he has located
the ship and found the relics on her deck.
The steamer sunk nearly twenty years ago off
ing down 12s passengers and crew and over
ono million dollars treasure. Twelve attempts
have been made to locate the wreck. but none
moved successful. Ryan says that an assistant
engineer of the steamer, who was one OF the
seventeen survivors. gave him the Gle" 10 the
location Of the wreck, and that recently lie
verified this Information. He declares thal 'he
vessel is in very still water, and that her 'pers
are sound as she is below the lever Oh usual
submarine insects. He is confident he can raise
tho vessel, but those who have had experience
differ with him.
Cold rains and bitter winds nave con'oiheo
to make this one of the most disagreeapie "eeh'
of tho winter. Yet the attendance at the Mid
winter Fair has ranged from ',oVV 10 l-'ooV oalS'
Most of the exhibits now in place. ana the
vegetation is growing more beautfui every ua!'
The emulsion Of Hubert II. Bancroft, the MS
torian of the Pacific States, by the Soclet! oI
California Pioneers is very tardy revenge lo' III,
YIain-sneaking comment on Fremont. suffer ana
other men whom the pioneers hold IN heh hoI,oi'
Bancroft gathered evidence showing 'hat III
mont never received instructions from 're nJso
eminent which he claimed to receive. ne aIso
moved beyond the shadow or a DOUBT 'ha'
Suffer had no claim to the military title ne useu'
NOUS property from the Russians whch ne ny -
could have paid for. Bancroit , ulun a,d
words in discussing the acts or frenon. anu h.
Cutter Rut he was not half so bitter IN ms
anmmant az Professor Josiah Royce In his history
of California in the American Commonwealth
Saries bancroft is a peculiar man, win stiohs
lkes and dslikes, but If he deserved EXPULSION
from the Pioneer Society, 1t seems as thouen
This action should have been taken decaue a AZ
when the books first appeared, ana not d. ''i''
late day.
Chinatown was beautifully decorated ms
xreek In honor of the New-Years festival, put
those who have observed similar ceiepta io. s
An the past declared that the pinch OF naru
times was to be seen on every manu-. 80; ca
vacant stores are to be seen in the quarter, ana
merchants complain that business is PAD WheH
,,ork is pIenty and wages are good the emma
man spends money literally for the good Things
of life but he is a rigid economist IN Dad tihes.
and this is the secret of the great shrnkage IN
Chinatown trade.
Among the disreputable people whom the Mid
winter Fair has attracted are dealers IN obscene
pictures and books who have tried TO circulate
their wares in the public schools. Their scheme
was promptly nipped in the bud. Inc proprie-
tors of a new bookstore on Market-st. also ais
played fash pictures. but they were chastenea
nv the notice who raded the place ana car
ried away a wagon load of Objectionable matter
The Society for Suppression of Vice is vigorously
at work but laxity in enforcing ordinances
makes its labors very hard
Among the deaths Of the week was that OF
Gustave Leipnitz known for forty years IN san
Francisco as The Snake Doctor. He Kept
drugstore in a show window OF which were
ALWAYS big rattlesr.akes and other venomous
reptiles Leipnitz handled these pets without
fear He was very charitable and made thou
sands of free prescriptions every year.
The bursting of great meteor in the Nevada
desert has created much interest among scientific
men will be secured because of the remoteness of
the place and the deep snow The explosion OF
the meteor was attended by many Of the phe-
nomena Of an earthquake.