The San Francisco call., 1899-05-12

W- HE crusade against the evils in
Chinatown has been fairly started.
Official color was given to 1t yes
terday, when number Of people
interested in the publication Of
the plague spots met at the office
Of Attorney NJ. NJ. Foote and formed
themselves into an association under the
name Of the Vigiant Society. The officers
elected were: Mrs. John Pettee. presi-
dent: Mrs. f. S. Bonelli, vice president
George Caswen. treasurer; NJ. NJ. Foote,
attorney and secretary; Mrs. f. W. Nc
Kinley, assistant secretary: Rev John A
3. Wilson and William G. Badger, direct
OTIS.
The society has for its objects the in
vestigation Of public and private institu-
tions, the prevention of cruelty to women
and children, the suppression Of vice and
the enforcement of law and order, and its
first work, to the exclusion of all else till
It has been completed. Will be for the pur-
pose of wiping from the map of China
town the dens Of i'll fame, opium
joints, gambling hells and highbinder re-
treats To this end it was decided at the
meeting to address to the pastors of
churches Of all denominations in the city
a circular setting forth the objects of the
society and calling upon them for CO.
operation in the work of publication.
Similar letters it was also decided would
be sent at once to the Mayor. the mem
bers of the Board Of Supervisors and the
Chief of Police. calling their attention to
the evils of Chinatown and the law that
provides for their eradication.
II is the intention Of the society to wait
a reasonable time for replies from NUM-
Cipal officials. If they show what is con-
sidered a commendable spirit in the mat
ter the society will content itself with
lending its aid and furnishing all infOr-
nation in its power to abolish the evils.
on the contrary. should the officials fail
10 respond the society Will use its best
endeavors to get along without their aid
and in spite of their Indifference. The
war will be carried into Chinatown on the
shoulders Of the organizers and the sup
porters of the society who are said TO
number 20l at present, and an attempt VIII
be made to stamp the evil under foot.
1t is hardly thought, however. that any
such action viii be necessary. The mem
bers OF the Vigilant Society argue that
city officials will need no Other spur tnan
the law pointed out TO the Mayor by MI
Foote in his letter of last Monday, pub
lished in Yesterdays Call. They say that
when the people rose up in their wrath
some months ago and demanded the
closing up Of the dens Of vice on Berry
and Morton streets and St Marys place
the law was put in swift motion and the
vaCate in short order. They are conSe-
quently of the opinion that under spe-
cal statute where the utmost LATITUDE Is
given TO witnesses, the PLAIN duty before
the Mayor. the Chief OF Police and the
Supervisors will be carried out.
If not and upon this If not the so
ciety members announce their determlna-
tion to make their stand-the other thlhg
will be done First of all 1t is proposed
TO try the merits of mandamuS against
any official who shall fail or refuse TO
lox ~ lStb quoted nN
Mr. Foote seems to bear directly on this
point. 1t reads:
And it shall be the duty OF the MAYOR or
other pres.ulng officer. ana the Chiet or neaa '
Of the police force OF every town and city,
and the duty of the Supervisors Of every town
ship district in which any sucn mouse mouse UI t
writing to be given 10 all persons who may
be owners. Iessees. tenants or occupants OF any
the same is situated.
If from any reason, the Mayor, the
Chief of Police or the Supervisors should
refuse to take the same action regarding
the houses Of iIl lame in Chinatown
that they recently took with. those on
Morton and St Marys streets. they Will
be hailed into court by the Nigilant So
Ciety and compelled TO do what they
swore 10 DO and have not.
Pending the proba bility of the necessity
for mandamus proceedings the Nlgl-
grow grow under their feet They have
already in their possession maps of
the Chinatown district upon which have
been marked by Chinese in sympathy
with the movement the location of the
various establishments sought to be re-
moved. Every den where slave-girls are
boarded by the vile procurers of China
town, every highbinder resort and opium
Joint is Indicated OF houses of i'll fame
alone there are about $50. Sullivan, Baker
and Bartlett alleys are lined with them
on both sides and more are scattered on
Pacific and Jackson streets, behind their
walls being all the way from 700 to 1000
slave-girls held in bondage and paying
tribute to highbinders, who will be COM
PEELED to scatter when their hiding places
and sources of revenue are closed.
Failing the cooperation of the city Of
fcials the only way TO close these dens.
free the slaves-to be deported if they are
here illegally, as most of them are-and
scatter the yellow desperadoes who de-