Page 18 - CCBA-LA-125th-2014

歷史沿革 DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

were elected to represent them. The cost of matters involving immigration, litigation
membership was $2 per person. and business transactions. In addition, it
raised funds to aid the Motherland in times
早期中華會館的功能 of war, draught, flood and other natural di-
Success Stories sasters. Everyone turned to the CCBA for
help in all matters great and small.
1910年，來到洛杉磯的華人日益增多，同
鄉、宗親會等團體相繼設立，「衛良公 二十世紀初的華埠仍然受到《排華法案》
所」為適應需要而擴大組織，正式改名為 影響，羅省中華會館的地位也早已被主流
「羅省中華會館」。 社會認同。隨著華人積極爭取公平對待、
As the Chinese population increased in Los 公民人權等，以及美國和加州福利政策的
Angeles, more and more associations were 完善，本會館遂開始獲聯邦及加州政府委
established. In 1910, individual associa- 托，處理所有關於華人社區的福利事宜，
tions decided to nominate the Wai Liang 並照顧和幫助初來乍到的華人。於是，相
Association as the parent association of 關的福利機構在華埠開始設立，其中包括
all individual Chinese associations. After- 華埠服務中心、國泰老人大廈等，服務的
wards, the Wai Liang Association officially 範圍包括找工作及住宿，甚至婚、喪、醫
changed its name to the Chinese Consoli- 療等。
dated Benevolent Association, or CCBA. In the early 20th Century, the Chinese
community was still heavily affected by the
華人生活在《排華法案》的陰霾之下，受
到其他族裔的排擠和歧視，又得不到法律
的保障，惟有團結互助，才能得以生存。
羅省中華會館結合屬下以血緣、地緣、姓
氏構成的團體，成為華人的保護傘，也成
為全僑公信的裁決機構，在華埠擔負起相
當於地下政府的功能，處理華人的各種糾
紛，包括堂鬥、移民、錢財、訴訟、商業
交易、屍骨返鄉歸葬、遺產處理等，也主
持向祖國捐款，包括對戰爭、旱澇等天災
人禍的難民救濟等，舉凡華人事務都會先
向中華會館求助。
Under the shadow of discriminatory ac-
tions fanned by the Chinese Exclusion Act,
the CCBA took on the role of liaison be-
tween Chinese Americans and the out-
side communities. Unity was strength and
the means to survive, especially when the
laws of the land did not protect them. Not
only did the CCBA, trusted by the Chinese
residents, serve as a unifying force, it also
played the role of a de facto government.
It mediated disputes and fights among the
Tongs, went after criminals and handled

羅省中華會館125週年 125 Anniversary CCBA LA | 19