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Tivery. love affair hosts romance, but ‘there are’ few in a which figure two gov ernments and two persons separated by the wide world, as ds the case with Chan Pak. ‘sun, one of the ‘proprietors of a ‘prominent: Chinese ‘restaurant in Clark street, Chicago, and his stweet heart. The thread of this romance runs from ‘sunlit Canton, in China to this western metropolis. An insurmountable obstacle stands, between Chap, Pak Sun ‘and his intended , ‘bride—to | dig the. ma ‘jesty of the United? States government. And try as. the, may be. ‘cannot: make the little ‘celestial in the land of flowers understand why: he. cannot » come and get her and then return to his Ameri can, home. . The, Chinese. exclusion ‘act, is ‘causing all the. trouble... Chan- Pak Sun cannot bring his wife’. to: “this country, because the government does not recognize him as a merchant.. It is considered singular that, this construction of ‘the law stands in his way, because: this Chinaman does annually ‘a business that runs far up in ‘the: five figures... He, “is.the pioneer in’ the Chinese restaurant, business in Chicago, ‘and in many ways has demon strated that‘he is,a man ‘of unusual business, qualities. But as a'restaurant keeper he is’ not recognized as a merchant; and the con struction which, the government puts on, his business’, keeps this man from the ‘realization' of, his life’s dream, .’ In 1880 there was no: Chinese: exclusion act. In, that year’ Chan, Pak, Sun,..then an humble immigrant; from China, landed at San Francisco.’ He was a mere boy, but even. at. his. tender age, pretty lit tle Chinese girl.had: come into his life. ‘As he made, his way down ,the gang plank to the shores of “the land of prosperity” he, ‘repeated ,‘to himself the promise he had, made... when he pros pered he ‘would return to China and claim the’ girl of ‘his heart.Chan Pak Sun at once busted himself, mastering the English: ‘language. He made rapid strides in’ this,and also-In mastering American business methods. The one seemed to come; ‘to. him as ‘easily as the other. He was alive. to_every opportun ity, and ‘It was. not? many, years before he decided to. Bet: nearer the heart of America. With’ what he had saved he left San Francisco, “and a ‘few days later, “he was a member of the Chinese colony in Clark’ street, Chicago. With other, liberal- minded cyoung” men.of his race’ he decided ..to wercome the ‘pre judice. of his ‘people. to the white race, if ‘such a thing, was possible. He open ed’ a Chinese restaurant. and ‘began to cater to Americans, who sought variety. His viands and dishes were considered the best in lat penta and his bus iness. prospered... When the ‘Chinese chonine. became, the craze Char. Pak Sun was in his glory. He made money fast. And when a lttle came in the Chinaman, with the aid. of his fellows, reinvested it to bring in’ greater returns. In a short time Chan Pak Sun was a known quantity in South Water’ street and in the ‘gro cery world, and ‘he received as much attention and courtesy from the pack ing houses as any buyer for the larger hotels in Chicago. While the Chinaman was making his fortune the national government was framing Chinese exclusion. Chan Pak Sun, however, was, not dismayed. In his interpretation of the pill there was nothing that would ‘interfere with his bride coming to this country when he was ready to return to China and claim her. He’ thought not of the obstacle that was then forming. ‘He continued his business and prospered, Today he is one of the wealthiest, young ‘men fi the Chinese colony. “When Chan Pak Sun had made ‘his fortune he turned his hopes , toward China. He made application ‘to the government for him the ‘privilege of returning to America with ‘his bride. Then came the rude awakening. The law would not ‘admit her because she would be the wife of a merchant. Laundrymen ‘and restaurant ‘keepers were not merchants in the eyes of the law in this country. Years spent In the country, investment, service to the gov ernment as an interpreter, recommen dations as to character, , esteem of ‘his people—all, these were set at’ naught. The law was there, and, it could not be changed. A ‘passport was refused, and pretty little Wo ‘Pon Lee, and ‘to remain in ,China, If Chan’ Pak’ ‘Sun, said the govern ment, were to open. a. store ‘in’ Clark street and be a merchant, he could get the coveted paper, ‘but as a. restaurant keeper who did, businesse, ‘the amount of $60,000 a year: he was, not a mer chant. . In the face of this ruling Chang Pak Sun accepted ‘the inevitable, ‘When the Chinese . Free ‘Empire ‘association: was established in Chicago he was, elected its secretary. . He hopes that, the so ciety will accomplish great things. If it. succeeds in’ advancing.” restaurant keepers to the. classifications of mer chants he will then ‘go. ‘to. China and claim: the girl of. his ‘heart, “who S50 dearly yearns to see America and again meet the man, from whom she parted in far-away Canton. She is yet true, to, the ‘love: of her childhood. Her ‘sweetheart’ of years ago is: constant. Perhaps, some’ day the government will give him, leave to claim her as his own and admit: her to the country. ‘At least he lives, in this hope, and all Chicago - Chinatown, ‘shares the hope of this young leader.
Newspaper Details
Quincy Weekly Whig
Quincy, Illinois, US
Thu, Jun 22, 1905
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Kathleen J.
OH, USA 23 May 2026
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