This provision of the law has proved a fruitful source of fraud. corruption. and conspiracy. and the evasion of the spirit and intent of the law. There is no "merchant class " in the sense we use the word. they are traders among themselves and as a rule in a small way. They are of the coolie class (with rare exceptions) and on a par only with the laboring class. and receive no greater consideration. save on account of their wealth. for which the Chinese have the profoundestrespect. When the coolie laborer desires to return to his native land. be he a laborer in the field. factory. or household servant. he becomes a merchant by paying into some trading establishment a matter of $50 or $100 and departs for his native land. If he shall desire to return he is provided with the certificate for that purpose. if not. he sells it to one of his kind. posts him in regard to localities. and when he comes he presents his certificate. and if his identity (which is exceedingly difficult to determine) is questioned. he unhesitatingly commits perjury. is set free. by the " sacred habeas corpus" writ (a process unknown in Asia). and when the time set to determine his identity shall have arrived he has disappeared. leaving only an utterly worthless bond made acceptable under the law by the false oaths of his bondsmen. Sir.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization about Chinese merchants and their practices of fraud and perjury.