Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-24
SAN FRANCISCO cHINAMEN
They Have q Police Forco of Their Own
to Watch Highbinders.


They Have = Police Force of Their Own
to Watch Highbinders.
One Of the peculiar features Of the in
ternal administration CT affairs in the Chi
nese quarter was developed during the re-
cent agitation over the expected raid Of
highbinders 1t was nothing more or
less than body of regularly organized
police who patrol tho Chinese quarter and
report regularly to the head men Of the
companies and consul general the doings
II their countrymen.
Some three years ago, when the high
binders broke out in one of their feuds,
the merchants of the Chinese quarter de-
tcrmined to obtain protection from these
lawless gentry, and as result tho MC*.
chants Law and Order league was organ
ized. 1t is purely Chinese in its organiza-
ton and regime, and the men who COM
pose 1t are respected among the Chinese as
much as any of their other officials.
Tho life of Chinese policeman, even
when "constabulary duty's to be DONE"
is an easy one. They do not wear uni
FORMS have no regular beats, but are here,
there and everywhere. Matters in the
Chinese quarter are conducted In man.
ner different from those Of other portions
Of the city 1t is as much an empire with
in itself as any part of tho Celestial en-
p;re. In consequence the Chinese police
are feature as indigenous to the district
as tho lottery or opium den.
Each of tho six companies, into which
the Chinese colony is divided, contributes
one or more of these police officers The
number to which each is entitled Is regC-
lated by the membership or families hold
ing allegiance to that company. In most
cases only ono man has been appointed
from each, and the total number Is now
seven, the same as at tho timo Of the or
ganization. A salary of $50 q month is
paid, and the place is considered sine
cure.
One Of the principal duties Of those Chi
nese police is to keep track of the worst
highbinders. When one of the latter be-
gins to get offensive and declares himself,
the Chinese police keep a close watch upon
him, and when the orders come from head
quarters that the highbinder has gone far
enough, one of tho regular police is notified
or Il warrant is sworn out, the highbinder
thrown in Jail and plenty of testimony Is
most any crime
While 10 uniform is worn by these
guardians of the Chinese police, under the
lapel of the blouse each man wears badge,
on which are the initials Of the league and
the mans number Whenever an occasion
arises for the Chinese policeman to render
assistance to or require the aid of regular
officer the badge is proudly displayed, for
these men take no risks that are likely to
imperil the regularity Of their pay day.
This Is emphasized by the fact that the
original seven members of the league are
growing fat and old in the service of their
masters.
In reality the men are not police, nor do
they perform police duties. They merely
maintain an espionage over their country
men. When they first became active agents
in the Chinese quarter, Chief Of Police
Crowley was informed of their objects and
told of the advantages that would accrue
to the department through their services.
They were consequently provided with a
sort of card of Identification or credentials
that they might make themselves known
whenever occasion demanded.
The blue coated guardians of the peace
do not regard their Chinese brethren with
great deal of favor. One veteran officer
who has seen much service in Chinatown
says they are as bad almost as the high
binders themselves and arc neither orna-
mental nor useful. Instead of aiding the
force this officer maintains that they hinder
justice.
Once a week the Chinese police report to
the consul general. 1t is said to be an in
teresting sight to see them going to the big
brick dwelling on Stockton street, where
the consul general lives, to mako their re-
ports. With their polls clean shaven, cues
newly braided and wearing their best
blouses, they enter the portals, and with
many salaam and kow tow give an ac-
count of their work Of the preceding week.
Then, with more scraping and more bows,
cup of tea and sometimes something
stronger, they depart to resume their labor.
San Francisco Chronicle.