The San Francisco call., 1896-08-12
LYNCH AGAINST THORNLEY,
Denies That the Chinese Bureau
Has Been Derelict in
Its Duty.
The Inspector Says the Southern
Pacific Has Nothing to Do
With the Chinese.

Chinese Inspector Lynch takes eXcep-
tions to the caustic remarks of Commission
Broker Thornley, concerning the suicide of
Ong Sing on Sunday last. He denies that
the railroad has anything to do with the
falling off of Chinese passenger traffic on
the steamship lines. Inspector Lynch's
statement is as follows:
| Kindly permit me to reply to the article in
! to-day's issue of your paper entitled "Hung
Himself by Silken Cord, - wherein certain re.
hections are made on the Chinese Bureau by
one William n. Thornley,.
AS my name is used in said article with in
justice. to me, feel in duty bound to make
the following statement:
On Saturday, August 8, 1896, about 1915
O'Clock P. NJ, while l was in the Chinese
Bureau, room II, Appraisers building, getting
ready to proceed TO the Pacific Mail dock
there to direct the registration of Chinese
about to depart for China on the steamer Bel
gic, an eXpressman called on me and informed
me that there were three Chinese on board the
steamer Umatilla, who ought to be landed as
the vessel was about to leave the wharf she
was al in short time. told him was alone
ana about to start for the Mail dock to attend
the outgoing China steamer Belgic, that the
other Chlnese inspectors were Off at lunch, and
would meet me at the Mail dock at l is p NJ
the time set for work to begin there in regis
tering departing Chinese; also that no mani
fest had yet reached me relative to the steamer
Umatllla, hence could not act. While | was
talking to this exnressman, the messenger of
Deputy Collector Tobin came in and handed
me sealed envelope, which l opened and
found within the manifest OF the steamer Una
tilla, having Endorsed on it the following:
August g. 1895
Land the within Chinese upon Identification
and production of registration certificates
j. ]. ToBIN, Deputy Collector of Customs.
On receipt of this order fastened to call
back the expressman, who had just left the
room, and told him 10 wait ten minutes until
could pack my books, papers, etc., which
g q fn or Do1ex i
that would go with him to the steamer Una
tllla, ne promising to drive with me from the
latter vessel to the Mail dock that might be
on time to keep my appointment there.
arranged my books, ETC., as rapidly as DOS
sible, and went with the expressman, arriving
at the Umatilla about 1890 P. M. when at
once asked to be shown the three Chinese
called for on the manifest; they were brought
out OF room on the lower deck where thew.
had been locked up. and asked them to pro-
duce the papers in their possession which
they did; two of them giving me registration
certificates from which I readily identified
them, and as ordered, landed them. The third
and no other papers. I told him through one
OF the Chinese, who spoke English, that would
have to take his paper with me for investiga-
ton, as required by the orders of the Collector
Of the Port in such cases, and that his case
would be looked into on Monday: at the same
time told him to tell the two Chinese pres
resided in this City if he had any here, that
they might come to the Chinese Bureau on
Monday and speak in his behalf
then notified the customs inspector at the
gangway to allow the two Chinese laborers
whom showed him, to land and TO have the
other Chinese locked up, as he could not land
until his case was looked into.
then told the expressman would take tho
electric car I'd go to the Mail dock, as.
wanted to reach that place soon as possible
1t then being about quarter of 1 o'clock /
took the electric car and. proceeded via Broad
way and Kearny street 10 the Mail dock spent
about eight or ten minutes in getting some
lunch and proceeded to work at the steamer
Belgic.
defy Mr. Thornley, to point out single in
stance where have been derelict or diIatory
IN the performance OF my duties as a Chinese
inspector or in any other capacity in which
have served the Government Mr. Thornley,
knew me for four years when was chief den
uty United States Shipping Commissioner at !
this port, and include that period also
have been IN charge of the Chinese Bureau
since the first OF the month, relieving Inspector
Harrison who is on his vacation, and also
PerIorm Pl, tne ouues OF Inspector Presbury, |
completely taken up, and in order thar M
delay or dissatisfaction might arise in the |
business : Sol OF the Chlnese Bureau have worked
from 80 A. NJ. to z P. M. day after dav and |
the entire time on the last two SUNDAYS. and T |
appeal to the people doing business with This
5nreau,. bureau. 10 ,i pear me out that "dilatory or
this bureau, is a false charge against me-
Ny superior, the Collector Of the Port Hon
1onn 9t u: " WISE, lnoorses my action in toto in
found on the body of the unfortunate Chinese
show that ne was not what he claimed to be, a
merchant, and had no right to land
Relative to railroad, coin, etc, etc., / have
lived too long and am too well known in his
City and Oakland to notice such unwarran ted
illusions. Very respectfully,
JOHN LYNCH,
Chinese Inspector, in charge OF Chinese
Bureau.
BORROW on sealskins, silks and Jewels at Uncle
Harris. Is Grant avenue