The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16
AN IMPORTANT OFFICER
Chinese Compradore Wong Soeng
Dong at Shanghai.
An Able Functionary ut the Ameri-
Nearfy 81 Third of q Century-Wears
n Charm Given Him by the "AmerI-
can Emperor General Grant.

the East, is man of great responsibility
!, In banks. hotels. railway and shipping
, Offices the bulk of all money received an,
, paid out passes through his trustworth,
! hands.
Even in Japan, notwithstanding the rae,
antagonism that unquestionably exists
the Chinese compradore is to be found
, everywhere. In important commercial
transactions he and not go-between Of
their own nationality is employed 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 COM
pradores in China is Wong Soons Dong.
who has held this position in the oflce
OF the United States Consul General in
Shanghai for over thirty years. This is
regarded-or was-by the Chinese Gs
highly complimentary. both to the COM
pradore himself and to this Government,
since 1t indicates recognition Of faithful
ness and integrity. which makes it worth
while for his native subordinates to emu
late him in well doing. Had Wong
Soong Dong been in Pekin during the
Boxer outbreak he might have fallen
victim to the anti-foreign element as
secondary devil. secondary DEVILS be-
| ing Chinese who were employed BIZ for
| eigners.
Wong Soong Dong was 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" as the Chi
nese called General Grant. He is man
we'll educated. according to native stand
ards, speaking English with considerable
nuency, and he possesses all the dignity
| AMI courtesy of his race From the United
States he received stipend OF $50
| gold month. but his private en-
terprises are extensive and profitable.
yielding him, it is said, an income
OF something like $4,000 a year. This
has not been acquired, by any means,
through his office, but from the various
native banks and shops in which ne is in
terested, and which are carried on for him
by agents, after the manner of all Chi
nese capitalists. He loans money at a
profitable rate of interest; he owns a tail
orins establishment employing a score or
more men; a 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 commercial
standing has made him all the more val
liable, in that it brings him into close con-
tact with Chinese whose assistance and
innuence 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 mischievous alike to buyer
and dealer, since 1t induces extravaganza
and long and ineonvenient credit. What
ever is wanted is ordered through
the compradore. who receives
Chit" Or written order, and the
articles required are sent to the
buyers residence on approval. With the
very exact four settlements are made an
nually, but the more general custom is 10
balance accounts at the beginning of the
new year. All the "chits," or orders. are
carefully preserved by the eompradore, 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 required 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 IN
important part of his duty. In connection
with the consulate there is thoroughly
equipped and organized postofiice-the
largest in the East All mail for Ameri-
cans in middle and northern China IS sent
4.
Shanghai is redistributed and despatched
to commercial agencies or missions else
where. About seventy sacks are received
by every mail steamer that arrives from
San Francisco, and for these the COM
pradcre is in a measure responsible
Americans in Shanghai sending mail to
the United States as rule do noA use
the yellow dragon stamps of the imperial
service, but those issued by the United
States. They are for sale at the con-
sular postofiice, and may be purchased
In small or large quantities up to 5000
worth.
The stamp department is managed en-
irely by Wong Soong Dong and his as
'istants: no small matter. since there is
| fourishing American colony in Shanghai
md large mills and factories operated by
american capital To the compradore are
.lso referred the postofice orders or
.hecks that are to be cashed by Ameri-
ans. who generally apply to the consulate
or favors of this sort and the check is
ashed. it may re explained, always for
comfortable premium-the best bargain
hat the shrewd compradore can make.
In all the years of his service he has
made the affairs of the country which he
erves practically his own. driving shrewd
argains. placating the unfriendly. and
'atching the over-reaching and scheming
18th cleverness greater than their own.
administrations CO me and go. but Wong
DONG Dong remains. and doubtless will
ntil he is superannuGted and retires VOL
York Tribune.