The Self-Made "King", His Un-july Subjects and the Unprotected Merchants The question of paying "taxes" to beggars appears to be attracting the attention of a large number of merchants inside the Chinese City. As a result of the continued demands of these beggars the merchants have applied to the. Chief of Native Constabulary for _protection, it may be remembered that dur-.wg the Manchu days all beggars were members of a guild under the guidance of a "King," otherwise the No, 1 Beggar. This man was permitted by the authorities to approach merchants and. householders for funds for the upkeep of his association and its members. return the merchants were protected from the depredations of the beggers, who were not allowed to molest or approach them.
Upon the establishment of the Republic in 1911, the authorities issued orders forbidding—_—the practice. Four years later, when the district assembly was abolished, the practice Was once more introduced and the merchants were again compelled to pay.
{Inquiries have been made to find out why the practice was resumed and it has been learned that an old beggar, 70 years of age, approached the then Shanghai District) Magistrate and "puted the wires," saying that he would control the beggars, and if a guild was established they would "be properly fed, clothed, educated and taught trades. A beggar "king'' would approach the various shops and houses and ask for the payment of a "tax'' and this money would be riged for the upkeep. If there was eny shortage, the balance would be borne by tne "king." No mention was made, however, of what would be done in case there was a surplus. the magistrate agreed to the proposal and issued a proclamation notifying the merchants that the practice would be resumed forthwith, the collection of the taxes has therefore been going on for a further period of years but, contrary to former practice, the merchants are given no protection, beggars infest the streets, they extort money and commit robberies, "There is no real guild for the beggars and there appears to be nobody to control them. Things are going from bad to worse in spite of the fact that the merchants still continue to pay the "taxes.
A Guorious THING TO BE BEGGAR
From an investigation made it is learned that the local—beggar "king" pays each month for the upkeep of the guild 100,000 cash (less than $90) in spite of the fact that he receives taxes amounting ta about $1,000 each month. \Vhenever there are marriages, births, parties, dinners or deaths, it means that he will receive
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.