Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-09-21
THE CHINESE HIGHBINDERs.
Enftiatory Methods of Sanguinary so- ciety Described by Christian
 iEed Chinaman.

Few people, even in San Francisco, have correct idea of the Chinese high binder and the cause of the frequent wars in the Chinese quarter. The word hlgnolnder IS, perhaps, localism, and 1t has no especial meaning. It was ap- piled by the police to the societies of Chinese assassins because they did not know the names of the societies. Ac- eordlng to the statements of a Chris tianized Chinese to one of the mission teachers, there are in this city several such societies, with membership of from 50 to perhaps 200 each. They have names indicating that they are bands of brotherhood,' but the members are professional assassins and will kill any one for pay, states the San Francisco Newsletter
 They are bound by paths, like the car bonari of Italy, and a traitor meets death at the hands of one of the mem bers, who is selected by lot The or ganizations differ in detail, but the main object of all is the sameto rob and murder. The organization of one of the largest highbinder societies in the Chinese quarter is partly described by this Christianized Chinaman, who was certainly member, but who said that his cousin" told him. They are chief, second chief, secretary, an intro ducer" and eight swordsmen The can didate for admission unplaits his queue, indicating his abiect submission to his superior officers.
 He is then led into the room by the Y3fl over him and he is required to kneel un- der an arch of eight swords. One of these swordsmen places the blade of sword upon the back of candidates neck as an indication of his fate If he betrays his associates. The chief, dressed in red, sits on small platform, which is draped in the same color, and to his right is the book containing the baths, passwords and signs of the or der. It is said few years ago the police captured one of these books and had it translated. The society then adopted new manual There are number of paths. the principal one binding the members to obey the orders of the so- ciety without question, and the rules prescribe penalties for refusal.
 When the candidate is taking the oath his finger Is pierced with a needle and the blood drops into a glass of wine held by the member who stands sponsor for him. They both drink from this glass, signifying that they are of the same society and of the same "blood re- lationship.' The grips and passwords are then communicated to him. and he is now fullfiedged highbinder-an as- sassin for pay.
 When the society receives commits sion to kill man a good hatchet man is selected to do the bloody work. Or, if 1t is war, the society details number of it's best shots The blood money goes into the common fund and is used for the defense of criminals, care of the wounded and pensions if sent to the state prison. The surplus is divided ac- cording to the rank and services ren- dered. If highbinder is killed while in the discharge of his bloody work the society gives him a large funeral, sends his bones to China and pays his family small pension A society will not abandon any of its members in trouble, and will fee lawyer as long as it has dollar or can get funds by forced loans or threats of assassination.
 These societies levy tribute upon mer- chants, and if not paid robbery or per. haps assassination follows They ter rorize the depraved women and collect from them sums weekly; also from the owners of these women. If the owner refuses to be blackmailed they steal or forcibly take one of his women and hold her for reward or sell her to some other bagnio keeper. Sometimes the bagnio keeper hires a rival society to protect his dens. Then there is war be- tween two highbinder societies.
 When one society invades the district of another war is the result, The rival bands of outlaws have the Chinese quar- ter divided. and it is a violation of treaty to plunder or murder in each others territory. The gaming houses are also steady source of revenue, pay ing an agreed sum weekly to be let alone, The highbinder societies are terror to the merchants, who would gladly see them driven out of the city. Then peace would reign in the Chinese quar- ter.