The herald., 1897-03-12
LOTTERY MEMS PARADISE
Chinese Gamblers Are FIocking
to This City
DRIVEN FROM SAN FRANCISCO
Why Heavier Fines Are Not Imposed on
Celestial Offenders
Fiues-The District Attorneys
Offlcs Respo,slbls

AS a result OF the vigorous warfare
which the police of San Francisco have
been waglng on the Chinese gamblers
and highbinders since the recent mur-
ders in the Mongolian quarter of that
city. number OF undesirable additions
have been made to the Celestial popu-
latlon of this city. On the train which
arrived from San Francisco yesterday
morning was party of five wealthy
Chinese sports from the Bay city, be-
decked with diamonds and smoking ci-
gars which are sold at three for half.
accompanied by eight or ten lower
grade gamblers and highbinders. The
party left the train at the Commercial
street depot and was quickly lost to
sight In the mazes Of Chinatown.
A we'll known San Franciscan who wac
formerly ap attache of the custom house
under President Harrison's administra-
tion, came down on the same train with
the Chinese, and says that the result
of the vigorous police restrictions in
that city will soon be felt in Los Angeles.
The quarters of the highbinders have
been raided and the furniture destroyed.
So vigorous Is the watch that fan-tan
and other games have practically been
stopped, while even the lottery men are
operating under the most adverse con-
ditions and are losing money steadily.
AS consequence he declares that the
San Francisco Chinatown Is placarded
with notices advising the sports to come
to Los Angeles. where they can operate
unmolested. or at least with a profit.
Inquiry among some of the best posted
authorities in Chinatown last night
failed to disclose any unusual movement
among the Celestials toward this city
and In fact 1t was strenuousqy denied by
several of the leading merchants that
any unusual travel was headed this way
Wing Fun. secretary and interpreter Of
the Chinese board of trade. to whom
most of the arrivals are reported, said
that he had heard Of no hdghbinde- IS
coming here, nor in fact any unusual
number of arrivals. Chinatown 10 ut
present quiet, the boycott has died
down, and there was no prospect that he
could see for trouble. AS to notices hav-
ing been posted advising Chinese toughs
to come here, he did not believe 1t true
and characterized the statement that
trouble was brewing as the veriest rot.
In this connection it may be remem-
bered that Notwithstanding this denial
thCiC 10 CNCiy iiQuttuiCiit ioH tlc io~-
terry men especially to start UP in this
city as they are at least assured of being
able to run at no more expense than an
occasional fine of SIS. which is the maxi
mum amount now imposed by the police
Justices. For q long time $40 was the
regulation assessment. but this has late
ly been raised q notch The penal
code provides that the punishment In
fiicted for lottery ticket selling may be
$500 fine and six months Imprisonment
in jail. If this sort of sentence were
imposed there Is little doubt that lottery
ticket selling would soon cease to have
any attractions. but such is not the case
From statements made 1t appears that
the police Justices in imposing $40 and
SIS fines on Chinese who plead guilty to
selling lottery tickets are but acting on
the recommendation of the district at
torneys office, who have fixed that as
the proper amount to demand. The Sit
uation is just this: Formerly Chimes =
were arrested on the charge, and when
arraigned pleaded not guilty. and de-
nyanded jury trials, a conviction being
most difficult in such case. and II finally
found guilty took an appeal. fighting
every inch of ground. Finding. so It Is
said. tht the Chinese were willing to pay
a small fine when caught. pleading
guilty to the offense. the district attor-
ney's office recommended to the police
judges that in all cases where such 4
plea was entered fine of $40 be levied
Matters went along In this shape for
some time. but finally the evil had
grown so rapidly under this license sys-
tenn that Chief Glass. finding himself
blamed spoke to me of the justices and
was told the facts in the case. He i'm
consulted the district attor-
ney, who confirmed the statement of
the magistrate and said the move had
been taken to derive something from the
Chinese and keep the court calendars
clear as otherwise the cases would pile
up so that the business of the courts
would be blocked. Besides It was i'm
possible to secure a jury which would
convict a lottery ticket seller. To this
the chief replied asking that when the
next case was called he be given the
venire for jury and he would see to
it that only representative business men
were called and the fact could be de-
termined whether or not the Chinese
could, be convicted. II not the blame
would rest with either the courts or
police.
Major Donnell could not see It that
way and stuck to it that such a pro-
ceeding would be useless and no convic-
tions could be had. One of his deputies,
WI. JdhCs, CNcH WChl oO ldi az W c0J
that he should refuse to issue COM
plants unless the orders of his chief
were complied with. At any rate. the
fine was raised to SIS which is now the
regulation sum assessed. In effect the
Cinnamon really dictate how much they
will pay. Either they will plead guilty
and give up SIS each time they are ar
rested or else If fined more heavily they
will fight and clog the courts with their
cases and dilatory tactics. Under the
present system the lottery men flourish
and grow fat There are now nearly
100 joints in the business district run
ming full blast. all of which are agencies.
The headquarters where drawings take
place are in Chinatown. Every day the
evil increases and the recent arrivals
have been, as stated, ATTRACTED by the
fact that in this city 1t is reported the
Chinese have things coming all right
and do not stand in any great awe or
either the police or the penal code.
Postal Cierks' Congress
SAN FRANCISCO, March n.-Local