, 1901-01-30
THE COMPRADORE.
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONARY AT
THE SHANGHAI CONSULATE.
He Ii . Man OF Great Responsibility
Much Money Passes Through Hi'
Trustw orthy Hands-Abiilty of Com
pradore Wong Soong Dong.

The Chinese compradore, through
out the East Is a man of great re-
s~ponsibility. In banks, hotels, railway
and shipping offices the bulk OF all
money received and paid out passes
through his trustworthy hands, says
the New York Tribune. Even in ia
pan, notwithstanding the race antago-
nism that unquestionably exists, the
Chinese compradore is to be found
everywhere. In important commercial
transactions he, and not a g~o-between
OF their W 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 compradores 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 Chinese as highly com-
pl1mentary, both to the compradore
himself and to his government, since it
indicates recognition of faithfulness
and integrity, which makes it worth
while for his native subordinates to
emulate him In w%ell-doing.
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
watch chain an American eagle in
gold presented him by the American
emperor" as the Chinese called Gener-
al Grant. He is a man well educated,
according to native standards, speak
Ing English with considerable fuency,
ana ne 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 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 he is inter-
ested, and which are carried on for
him by agents, after the name of all
Chinese capitalists. He loans money
at a profitable rate Of interest; he
owns a tailoring establishment, en-
ploying 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
valuable, in that it brings him into
close contact with Chinese whose as
sistance 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 pre-
vails-one which is mischievous alike
to buyer and dealer, since it induces
extravaganza and long and inconve-
nient credit. Whatever Is wanted Is
ordered through the compradore, who
receives a chit" or written order, and
the articles required are sent to the
buyers residence on approval. With
tho very exact -four settlements are
made ahnuauy, uu. uno ..-.o eeneraI
custom is to balance accounts at the
beginning of the new year. All the
'chits" or orders are carefully pre-
served by the compradore, and an &C.
curate statement Is made of all money
paid out. This routine Is followed
whether the purchase amounts to a
few cash or runs up into the hundreds
Of taels. For thirty years all the buy
ing for the United States consulate
has been done in this manne by Wong
Soons Dong, and there has never been
the discrepancy Of a single cash In his
accounts. He bargains for all the
house furnishings required, the sup
plies 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. In all the years
Of his service he has made the affairs
of the country which he serve practi-
cally his own, driving shrewd bar
gains, placating the unfriendly, and
watching the ~over-reaching and sohem-
ing with a ~cleverness greater than
their own. Administrations come and
go, but Wong Soong Dong remains.
and doubtless will until he is superan-
| nuated and retires voluntarily.