The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-11-10
Chinese Character.

thing about character and busi-
ness honor among the Chinese
as compared with other nations,
and to show, if possible, whether or
not the Chinaman is fitted to become a
good American citizen. There is
quite considerable difference of opin-
ion concerning the Chink's qualifca-
tions for citizenship. but so far as 1
know it hinges entirely on his good
and bad qualities as a laborer, and
not upon his character.
The Chinese are particularly quiet
people, more so, perhaps, than any
other race. They rarely trouble
the courts; they have. few crimes
against them; they are hard working,
frugal people; they are more honest
than most of the foreigners that come
to America; but they do not make
good citizens. The entire government
of the American Cbinaman is centered
in the Six Companies, an association
of the various Tongs. The Six Com
panies settle, by arbitration, most of
the difficulties between Cinnamon, and
usually prevent such troubles from
reaching the regular courts. So, too,
the Tongs force all debtors to make a
settlement during the New Years
holidays, and in this way do a great
deal towards promoting honesty
among all classes. Owing to the
Tongs' laws governing the payment of
debts, great deal of the business in
Chinatown is done upon credit basis,
and it is owing to the large amount of
credit business done. and the small
, number of regulations of such debts,
that the Chinese have such a reputa-
tion for business probity. Even whites
are traded with in the same manner
and from the biggest merchant to the
most humble truckster, credit is &C.
cepted as matter of course.
!, The Chinaman's word is literally his
bond. as an acknowledgment in writ.
ing is never expected. The large i'm
porting houses in this country that
, deal in Oriental products, early learned
: to trade with Chinese in preference tt
. Japs. The Japanese are progressive
; too progressive; and after securing &
: contract are not above letting tht
: grade of the wares fall below tht
I standard set, in order to increase thu
: profit. Besides, the Japanese believe
: in asking higher prices than they ex
. pect to get, and then allowing them
selves to be "Jewed" (Japped (?)
: down. The Chinese, on the othe
hand, while not above taking advant
age of trade, are entirely trustworth.
once the trade is made, and even tho
:, it may ruin them financially, will maxi
: it point of honor to fulfill the con
tract to the letter.
q There are bad points, however, in tn
Tong system of government; and whil
| it is true that few Chinese appear il
# the American courts and few crime
are committed against whites b.
t Chinese, it does not signify that th'
IL Oulu0S0 COAhAl LIZ SAALlO0s OAA VA
contrary each Tong keeps paid bod
= of men whose sole business it is to d
the dirty work of their masters. Thes
% men, popularly known as "highbind
it ers," are protected by their Tongs, an
" when arrested are defended by al
10 torneys secured with money from
" sinking fund established for that pul
Is pose.
ID The Chinaman doesn't believe, or pc
" haps it is better to say, does not III
10 derstand the doctrine of right fe
le rights sake" He knows that hone
Of in business is necessary to succeed
rs therefore he is an honest bushes
IL man, but he is not above paying none
IN into his Tong to support body Of ou
iii laws who will obey his orders. He