The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-23
Agents for All Foreign Com
panieS Driven From the
Field.
CHINESE PROVED OBSTINATE
Attempted to Carry On Their Lot
teries In Defiance of the
Police.

FRESNO, CAL. Aug. 22.-Fresno is in
the midst of war upon lotteries. The
authorities have taken steps to stamp out
the evil, and Judging from their energetic
course so far they will succeed. This
movement is no doubt result of The
CALLS crusade upon lotteries. The eyes
of the people were opened up by THE CALL
and they saw that it was time something
should be done.
Fresno has been victim of and harvest
field for lotteries for several years. Moth
ing has ever been done before to put a stop
to the sale of tickets. Besides the Hon.
duras, Mexican and other lotteries of that
class Fresno has had to contend with the
more harmful local Chinese lotteries. Up
to month ago seven lottery companies
were carrying on operations in Chinatown.
They ran practically with immunity from
police interference.
But about month ago the City Trustees
passed an ordinance prohibiting the con-
Quoting of lotteries and the sale of tickets.
The State law is to the same effect, but the
ordinance was passed so that the city's
police and Judge could work independ-
entity. The Trustees also gave Marshal
Woy special instructions to make rigid
enforcement of the ordinance.
Many white people played the Chinese
lotteries. Tickets as cheap as 10 cents
could be bought. Whenever the little boy
could get dime he would invest in a
ticket. Chinese ticket-venders made daily
visits in the residence portion of the town
and sold many tickets. to women, who
would try their luck with 10-cent piece
or a quarter of dollar.
Many men also played, and for time
there was a craze to buy Chinese lottery
tickets 1t has been estim ated that $1,000
a month was drawn from white people by
these lotteries.
AS soon as the Trustees passed the anti
lottery ordinance all lottery traffic was
stopped. The white ticket-dealers have
retired for good. 1t was not two weeks,
however, before the Chinese were at the
business again. 1t is serious matter,
financially, to them to have the lottery
business stopped. Two companies started
up again, but the police soon discovered
the fact, and also learned at what place
one of the drawings was made. One even
ing just at s o'clock, the time of the draw
ing, Policemen Caufeld and Matheson
made rush into the place, but the willy
Mongol had everything arranged, and by
the time the officers were inside all the
paraphernalia of the drawing was hidden.
The next day the two policemen were
surprised at having warrants of arrest
served upon them for malicious mischief.
They were charged with breaking in two
doors in the house which they had searched.
kol 70 ho
that there was no need of it. 1t was really
a scheme to injure the officers.
The lottery companies raised q purse
together and employed two of the best
local lawyers to prosecute the case. It was
tried before jury in Justice Austin's
court and resulted in the acquittal of the
officers on the first ballot.
But now the prosecuting witness, All
Tong, who was so ready to testify that he
saw the policemen kick down the doors, is
under $500 bonds to appear for an exami-
nation on a charge of perjury preferred by
the officers.
The lotteries ceased operations for
while when they found that the officers
meant business with them. But now they
have raised purse to fight their cases to a
nnlSn Wnen arrested, anu nave started up
again. But they are very careful to whom
they sell tickets or divulge any of their
operations.
1t is difficult for the police to get any in
formation, but they are slowly gathering
evidence, and in the near future a round
up of all the games will be made. AS it is
they are keeping the operations of the
lotteries within narrow bounds.
City Marshal W,oy is determined to stop
the lotteries as far as lies in his power. If
he cannot entirely stop the lottery traffic
in this city he will make it risky and I'M
profitable business.