The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-28 00:00:00

Ely gototutribge qsetter.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1872.

STEERAGE TO AMERICA.

Some years ago the revelations of an "ama-
teur casual' in regard to the treatment of casual ,
paupers in a London workhouse excited consid-
erable interest. Certainly of not leas import-
ance are the revelations of an "amateur emi-
grant," who, writing to the Daily News, has
given a most vivid sketch of the miseries of a
steerage passage to America. The flood of cor-
respondence which has followed this letter shows
clearly that while such a description does not
fairly apply to all emigrant steamers, it applies
to far too many of them. As a pleasing contrast
to this painful sketch, we may quote the state-
ments made by a firm who give their names to a
line of American emigrant steamers. They state
that they have always insisted on males and fe-
males, whether married or single, being berthed
in separate compartments ; that stewardesses
are provided for steerage passengers; and that
ventilation is duly attended to. A correspon•
dent writing in relation to another company
states that on the steamers owned by that com-
pany there are " ample light, with side scuttles,
ventilation from deck, also spacious staircases,
aceess to baggage, abundant and excellent ra-
tions, attendants speaking their own language,
wine daily, and even simple dessert of fruits,
cake, and cheese." A third correspondent,
speaking still ~f another line of emigrant ves-
sels, says that steerage passengers throw away
as uneatable food what our men-of-war's men
would relish, and that these vessels are not over-
crowded, while he adds, " Steerage passengers
should remember they can see the ship before
going, and the fare is very assail."
Now while there is no reason to doubt some of
the unpleasant statement of the correspondents
WIR) complain of the circumstances under which
the steerage passage to America is made, it is
but fair to state that the writers who take the
opposite side are more or less special pleader.
alio are naturally inclined to take the most fair.
equable view of the matter, and as naturally
tempted to state only one ride of the question,
which may be the truth, and nothing but the
truth, but which is not the whole troth. There
is too much reason to fear that she emigrants
have a very great deal to complain of in regard
to the comfortless characteristics of a steerage
passage across the Atlantic. It is all very well
to say that intending passengers cap see the visa-
eel before taking a berth, and thit the fare is
very small. 'rho visitor who desires to look be-
fore he leaps can really see but very little. The
i arrangements for sleeping may appear compara-
- Lively good when the ship is tenantless. but it is
when alto is loaded with a d, use human freight
of both sexes that aeuretical arrangements ap-

pear utterly to break clown. One co7respoinient
speaks of 1.1300 passengers in the steerage 415
ouch, aod of 80 saloon passengers at £l7 each.
Now thelo: nuolko:ra ate tan of all fair propor-

Lion. and we boldly say such a disproportion
ought nut to be allowed. The American &leis
are not adapted to carry 1,300 steerage paiseo-
gera of both sexes, with that ordinary comfort
aud common decency which people have a right
to expect, even though they pay but Xfi for the
voyage; and that LBW befogs should be cribbed,
cabiued, and confined in one part of the vessel,
while in another part $0 passengers should have
all the luxuries and comforts of a fi...st-class
hotel, is too great a contrast. It may of course
be readily admitted that extra comfort and even
luxury, ought to be at the command of those who
can afford to pay for them ; but still a lesser am-
ount of comfort, arrangements for the mainten-
ance of common decency, good food fairly served
and good ventilation should be insisted on as in-
dispensable, and should be rigorously exacted,
however low the fare. The whole subject of
emigration " accommodation," or want of it, in-
deed demands inquiry. There are great difficul-
ties in the way of thorough reform but some
measure of improvement might 1:e secured.
When Ur. Johnson described a ship as "a pri-
son with the chance of being drowned," emigra-
tion as a system did not exist, and there are
many other discomforts and disadvantages at-
tached to an emigrant ship which his smart say-
ing does not include. Such a ship is indeed a
prison with a chance of being drowned, and it
has some disadvantagea which do not exist in
any prison. The noise and uproar, the singing
and fiddling, the coarse language, at all hours of
the day and night, would not be permitted in any
prison on shore. It is very difficult no doubt to
secure order when an emigrant vessel is once
out at sea, and the captains no doubt allow as
much liberty as they fairly can by way of mak-
ing things pleasant all round. But when liberty
runs into licentiousness it is time that a higher
power should interfere. The Emigration Com-
missioners have done much to improve the ar-
rangements on board the vessels under their
control, bat their power is circumscribed, and it
is when the steamers have left our shores that
unholy orgies and unbridled disorder commence.
The United States Government ought to aid us
in the matter. The stream of emigration sets
one way, and this aid ought to include an Anglo-
American convention, affording redress or pun-
ishment in America for wrongs inflicted on the
passage.

THE STOURRAIDGE OBSERVER.
the

en in the new eo.operative scheme for
the mineral field, Which, if successful will have
tho effect of reclaiming many thousands of acres
of valuable coal and iron.

draining

anti iu town an. have con...—
liberally. The prizes will be announced in due

i d district

contributed

course.
FEMALE Mittsrms.—lt will be seen on refer-
ring to our advertisement columns, that a troupe
of "Female Christy's" will give a performance
in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday evening
next. This is the first time that a troupe of
female performers have given any entertainment
in this town, and no doubt they will be well pat-
ronized.
Boatel, RATE.—A Burial Rate is called for
the parish of Oldswinford. The object of having
a rate is to enlarge the present churchyard for
burial purposes. The old ground, as our readers
are well aware, is nearly full, and it is quite ne-
cessary that steps be taken for the enlargement
of the ground. The Churchwardens have called
a small rate, and it is hoped that the public will
pay the amount to the collector as soon as pos-
sible.
CONTRACTS.—The following contracts were ac-
cepted by the Guardians :—Eleock Bread, WI d
4lb loaf; flour, .£1 17s a sack; oatmeal, .£1 14s.
—Edicards tea, 2s 2d lbs ; coffee berries, Is 2d
lb ; linseed meal, ad lb.—Miller Sugar, raw,
3id lb; sugar, loaf, 5d ; butter, 'salt, Is 04d;
butter, fresh, Is 8d ; cheese, 7id ; rice, 158 per
cwt. ; peas, split, Ss per imperial bushel.—Shrp-
ley Mustard, 7d lb; dark blue, 8d ; candles, 3id
bacon, English, in sides, with hams, 71d; grey
peas, 6s Od bushels.— Jones Tobacco, lls 2d lb;
salt, is 6d cwt. ; soda, 9s cwt. ; starch, 44 lb.—
Jones: White soap, 41s cwt. ; pale yellow, do.,
33s cwt.; soft do., 13s 6d firkin.—Brooks : Beef,
(rounds, crops, and mouse piece) 74 lbs ; mutton
(fore-quarters), 6; ; suet, 41d.—Jas. Cox : Coals,
large, 18s 24 cwt.—J. Wood : ale, Is 24 gallon;
port wine, 12s ; gin, Wu—Collis and Co. : Whis-
key, 17s gal.—J. Cox Milk, 10d gal.—Clothing:
R. J. Williams, calico 64d yard; Brooks, strong
flax, 9d; Guttery, men's grey suits, £1 8s per
suit; Perkin, shoes; Hall, clogs.
JURY LISTS.—At the Petty Sessions, yester-
day, before Major Fletcher and Messrs. R. L.
Freer and C. P. Noel, the following jury lists
were passed for the several townships :—Clent,
Belbroughton, Pedmore, Wollaston, Stourbridge,
Churchill, Upper :Swinford, Wollescote, Broom,
Lye, Cradley, Hagley, and Lutley.
WAGES CASE.—John Mantle was summoned by Chas.
Spilsbury, of Belbroughtou, for refusing to pay brat the
sum of Li is, wages alleged to be due. Complainant
said that he engaged to hoe seven acres of swedes, at 94
per acre. Defendant had pahl him 400, and there was
/I 3s still due to him. The defence was that complain-
ant only hoed 31 acres, as he (complainant) broke the
other part of the ground up, and that he was to pay 55
per acre to the complainant. Defendant was ordered to
pay Os and costs.
NEIGHBOURS' QUABEELS.—MiIey Ann Cheese, of Wol-
laston, was charged by Caroline Bourne with assaulting
her, on the 19th inst. From the evidence of complain-
ant it appears they are neighbours. On the above date
she was getting berries in the garden, when the defendant
threw at her and cut her head open, and she had to go to
Mr. Campbell. The defence was that complainant and
her husband went to get some berries which did not be-
long to them. She remonstrated with them, when the
husband threw at her and she threw back again, and the
missile caught complainant on the forehead. Defendant
Waif fined in and coats; in default seven days.
ASSAULTING A 130,1.—Phteb0 Barrett was charged by
Walter Latham with assaulting him on the 20th. Com-
plainant, a little boy, said that he was in the garden driv-
rag some fowls, when the defendant struck him several
times with a prop across the back, and bruised him very
much. William Latham, father of the boy, proved the
injuries the boy had received, and when he went for an
explanation defendant threw a stool at him, which struck
his wife. Other witnesses proved the as suit. Defeud•
ant denied the assault. Fined Is and ci.sts ; in default
seven days.
STRONG FOURPENNY.—Joseph Little, if the Lye, was
charged with being drank and diaorderly on the 2lat inst.
Police-constable Needle and Police-sergeant Rea moved
the offence. Defendant said he had but three pints of
fourpeeny, and he did not think that it would make him
drunk. Fined 5s and Coats; in default 14 days—Wil-
liam Campbell was charged with being drunk and disor-
derly, on Sunday night last. Police-sergeant Rea proved
the case. Fined 5s and costa.—Thomas Skelding was
charged with a similar offence on the 25th. Police-con-
stable Hyde proved the Alone. Fined Is and costs.—
Benjamin Dillingham was charged with a similar offence
°A the 21111. Police-constable Cooling proved the case.
Fined 5a and costs.—John Hyde was charged with a
similar offence on the 21th just Police-constable Tim-
line proved the offence, and said that defendant had cot
his akin off to fight. Fined 5s and co,ts.—Williran
Adams was also charged with being drunk at Oldswin-
f rd. on the 11th irat Police-constable Hyde proved the
offence. A witness was called for the defence, who said
defendant was quite sober The Bench did not believe
the witness, and tined defendant 5s and costs.
GRAND CONCERT.—On Friday evening Mrs. H. Clifton
will give a Grand Evening Concert in the Corn Exchange,
supported by a host of well-known and favourite artiates
—so well known, in fact, as to need no encomiums front
us. No doubt there will be a crowded house.