The herald., 1897-01-31
resident of the body, Wong Fun secre-

president of the body, Wong Fun secre-
tary and interpreter, and Wong Yuk a
prominent member. 1t appeared that
the officers considered these men re-
sponsible for the notices posted, and as
leaders of the movement Several times
since that Chung, Fun and Yuk have
been warned that they must desst, but
on their part, they disclaim any respon-
sibility. Mrs. Sing sits in one of the
stores, behind drawn curtains, seeing no
| customer approach from day to day.
Her husband holds the fort in the other
! store, but makes no sales. The See Yups
| are demonstrating their power.
IN the other stores of the Sam Yup
faction a like condition prevails, and the
boycott, while it's existence is strenu-
ously denied by interested parties, is
none the less effective. What the out
come VIII be remains to be seen. Several
San Francisco highbinders have lately
arrived in the city, and their coming
BODIES i'll for somebody. The Sam Yups
are desperate over the murder of their
leader and loss of business, and a retail
iatory move is expected at any time after
the New Year celebration. At this sea-
son of the year every disciple of Con-
fucius is expected to pay all debts. attire
himself in clean raiment, forget and for
give all past animosities, and begin the
year with clear conscience. While this
observance may be outwardly complied
with, there is every possibility of lively
shooting scrape in Chinatown within
the next few weeks it seeming improb-
able that more peaceful methods of
settlement will prevail.
While on the subject of highbinders
and the part they play in executing their
murderouS work as hired assassins, 1t
may be interesting to give the origin,
aims and purposes Of the two great local
tongs, or societies, of this class. They
differ from the great companies already
spoken of in every essential particular.
The former are organized to advance the
interests of their members in a legiti-
mate way, the highbinder tongs being
secret societies, with their grips, signs,
passwords, ETC., the members swearing
to stand by one member in trouble, no
matter what the cause, raising much of
their funds by blackmail. Each cityhas
its own organizations, those of Los An
geles being the Bng Gong and the Hop
Sing Their inception was of peculiar
nature, the original society being formed
in China for the purpose of securing the
overthrow of the present dynasty and
the seating of a pure Chinese on the
throne.
The reigning family in China for the
past hundreds of years has been of
Manchu or Tartar stock. The Chinese
claim that the first of the present line
of kings attained the throne by means
Of subterfuge and base deception, usurp-
ing and dethroning the rightful heir.
For centuries there has existed in China
a secret society called the Chez Gong
tong, which has for its purpose the es-
tablishing upon the throne of the right
full family. In that country its men,
bers are of necessity very circumspect
and careful, as a knowledge or suspi-
cion of affiliation with the Chez Gong
is sufficient to insure the headsman's
sword, and a consequent lack of inter
est in societies in general for all time
to come.
When they get to this country, how
ever, the necessity for secrecy is no
longer felt, and branches of the organ
ization are formed and maintained. For
nearly twenty years there has been in
this city a tong of the Chez Gongs, with
headquarters on Benjamin street Be
tween ten and fifteen years ago some or
| the members or this tong became dis
| affected because they could not secure
control of the society, and thirstine for
| power, seeded and formed the 3ing
| Gong tong. The new society -four
ished but again disaffection arose and
| the Hop Sings sprang into being. Ever
| since there has been intense rivalry be
tween the rival tongs, each seeking to
make itself master of the situation.
+, AS a consequerc &C. quarrcls anC clashes
| have been frequent, and murder has
stalked abro ad at night. The wolatest
killings by highbin0 tfaae tongs
were those o. Lucy sapaN Hop sing
| man, killed by the Cana CSonrs and
Wong Chez, leader q he after ofgan-
ization, picked off last July by Hop
| Sing hatchetmen.
! Headquarters Of the Hop Sings ire
maintained on Los Angeles street, near
| the corner of Marchessault in the sec
! ond story of frame building opposite
| the plaza. The Bing Gong's meeting
rooms are on the second floor of brick
| building on the south side of Ferguson