New-York tribune., 1900-12-09
WONG sOONG DONG, cOMPRADORE
AN IMPORTANT FUNCTIONARY AT TIL
SHANGHAI CONSULATE

The Chinese compradore, throughout the East
is man Of great responsibility. In banks, no
tells, railway and SHIPPING offices the bulk of all
money received and paid out passes through his
trustworthy hands
Even in Japan, notwithstanding the race an
tagOnism that unquestionably exists. the Chi
nese compradore is to be found everywhere. In
Important commercial transactions he and not
go-between Of their own nationality is en-
ployed by the japanese from Yokohama to
Nagasaki. This is also true in Manila and
Singapore where the English are at the head
OF affairs
one of the ablest and best known conn radores
in China is Wong Soong Dong, who has held
this position in the Office of the United States
COnsul-General in Shanghai for over thirty
years. This is regarded-or was-by the Chi
nese as highly complimentary. both to the COM
pradOre himself and to this Government, since
it indicates recognition of faithfulness and in
tegrity, which makes il worth while for his ma
tive subOrdinates to emulate him in well doing.
Had Wong SOong Dong been in Picking during
the Boxer outbreak he might have fallen a vic
tim to the anti-foreign element as a secondary
devil" secondary devils icing Chinese who
were employed by foreigners.
Wong SOong Dong in the employ of this
Government at the time when ex-President
Grant made his tour around the world and he
wears on his watchchain an American eagle in
gold presented him by the American Emperor"
the Chinese called General Grant. He is
man Well educated, according TO native stand
ards speaking English with considerable
1pency, and he possesses all the dignity and
courtesy of his race. From the United States
he receives a stipend Of $50 gold a month, but
his private enterprises are extensive and profit
able, yielding him, it is said an income Of
q > taskA rras-
been acquired, 10y any means. through his Of
flee, but from the various native banks and
shops in which he is interested. and which are
carried on for him by agents. after the manner
Of all Chinese capitalists. He loans money at
profitable rate of interest; he owns tailoring es-
tablishment employing q score or more men;
shop where silks and curios are sold, and over
all these he keeps close personal supervision
that does not in the least affect his usefulness as
compradore. On the contrary, his high COM
rnercial standing has made him all the more
valuable in that it brings him into close contact
with Chinese whose assistance and influence are
frequently required by the Consul-GeneraL
Very little money is paid in the East when
purchases are made by residents in the open
ports The chit system preVails-One which is
mfschievous alike to buyer and dealer, since il
induces extravaganza and long and incOnVenient
credit. Whatever is wanted is ordered through
the compradOre, who receives a chit" or writ
ten order. and the articles required are sent to
the buyers residence on approval With the
very exact four settlements are made annually,
lu: the more general custom is to balance ac-
counts at the beginning Of the new year. All
the 'chits' or orders. are carefully preserved
by the compradore. and an accurate statement
is made Of all money paid out. This routine is
followed whether the purchase amounts to
few cash or runs up into the hundreds Of taels.
For thirty years all the buying for the United
States Consulate has been done in this manner
by Wong Soong Dong, and there has never been
the discrepancy Of single cash in his accounts.
He bargains for all the housefurnishings re-
ouired the supplies for the Consular table. the
fuel even the silks, linens and bric-a-brac which
the casual visitors buy to take back home with
them.
This, however, is only small and unimportant
par. Of his duty. In connection with the Con-
sulate there is a thoroughly equipped and Or