Evening star., 1896-12-05
UTFFS COMPANION, 2O1 Columbus Ave. Boston, Mass.
md consul general the doings of Their coun-

and consul general the doings of the:- coun-
trymen.
Some three years ago, when the high
binders broke out in one of their feuds, the
merchants of the Chinese quarter detcTmin-
ed TO obtain protection from these lawiess
gentry, and result the Merchants
Law and Order League vas organized. II
is purely Chinese in its organization and
regime, ard the men who compose il are
spected among the Chinese, much as any
Of their other officials.
The life of Chinese policeman. even
when 'constabulary dutys to be done" is
an easy one. They do not wear uniforms,
nave no regular beats, hut are here, there
and everywhere. Matters in the Chino Sc
quarter are conducted I'm manner differ
ent from those of ether portions Of the
city. 1t is as much an empire within itself
any part of the celestial empire. In con-
sequence, the Chinese police are feature
indigenous to tNe district the lottery
or opium den.
Each of the 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 reGrI-
lated by the membership or families hold
ing allegiance to that company. In most
cases only one man has been appointed
from each, and the total number is now
seven, ar the same as at the time Of the
organization. A salary of $50 a month is
paid, and the place is considered sinecure.
One of the principal duties OF these
Chinese police is to keep track of the
worst highbinders. When one of the latter
begins to get offensive and declares him
SELF the Chinese police keep a close watch
upon MIN, and when the orders come from
headquarters that the hiShbinder has gone
far enough, one OF the regular police Is
notified or n warrant is sworn ou:, the
highlander thrown in jail and testimony Is
forthcoming TO convict him of almost any
crime.
While no uniform is worn by these
.,f. (sHfnlc. raNli lrn1Pr a
laptl CT the blouse each man wears a
badge on which are the initials of the
league and the mans number. Whenever
an occasion arises for the Chinese police
man 10 render assistance to or require Tue
aid of a regular officer the badge is proudly
displayed, for these men take no risks that
are likely to impeIil the regularity of their
pay day. This is emphasized by III" TACT
that the original seven lnCmbcrs OF IN"
league are growing fat and old in the serN-
ice of their masters.
I'm 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
tcld 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
wherever occasion demanded.
The blue Seated guardians of the pea -
do not regard their Chinese brethren with
a great deal of favor. One veteran officer
who has seen service in Chinatown. SAYS
they are as bad almost as the hIghbinders
themselves, and are neither ornamental nor
useful. Instead of aiding the force this
officer maintains that they hinder jus
tice.
Once a week the Chinese police report to
the consul general. II is said 10 be an in
tereSting sight to see them going 10 the
| big brick dwelling on Stockton street where
the consul general lives to make their re-
ports. With their polls clean shaven
queues newly braided, and wearing their
best blouses. they enter the portals and
with many a salaam and kow tow. give an
account of their work of the preceding
week. Then, with more scraping and more
bows, cup of tea and sometimes some
thing stronger, they depart TO resume their