The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-18

attempt will be made by them while flushed
sith victory, TO crush the expression of every
free and liberal sentiment. and by the force Of
nambers TO render odious and Questionable ev-
cry measure calculated TO promote The inter
ests of the mass against the privileges Of the
few, is no more than was aniicipaied.-This is
at least one good effect TO arise from our de-
feat. The mask Of hypocricy will be thrown
aside, and we shall be able to contend with our
enemies upou fair and equal ground. CIVIS.
SAILORS RIGHTS.
From the Boston Courier.
As UNJUST LAw.-lt was stated, the other
day, in one OF the papers, that in cases sf ship.
wreck, the sailors forfeit all the wages due TO
them. This. I arm told, is substantially correct
II there is not enough saved from the ship to
pay the wages, they are forfeited. "Freight
tsays the maritime law) is the mother Of wages"
II nothing is earned. nothing is to be paid-thar
is. to the sailors. Every body else must be
paid in full. excep, tho crew: and they are TO
be outlawed.
Now, | can perceive no reason whatever,
that the pay Of sailors. for actual labor and SER
sice, should be forfeited on account Of misfor-
times 10 the owners, any more than farmers
hired man, or the iourneyman Of mechanics,
should be unpaid for their labor because by
some accident the expected product Of their
labor was destroyed. A hired man is not ex-
pected 10 run the risk of farmers crop: nor
is journeymsn carpenter expected to suffer
because a building upon which he is employed
ia consumed by FIRE before il is completed.
ship goes upon voyage Of two or three
years. and crew is shipped upon specified
monthly wages. They labor faithfully for their
employers. during two or three years, and ar
rive nearly home, with a rich cargo expected
afr he
There is nearly all the wages for the voyage
Justly due ts them. But violent storm oc-
ours, or the captain is mistaken in his reckon
ing, or he becomes intoxicated. or from some
other cause, in which the seamen have not the
slightest agency or control. the ship is stranded
and entirely lost. The crew. without being
liable 10 any blame whatever, aud af,ey having
faithfully served the owners according 10 agree
ment, are deprived of all their wages. and the m-
selves and their helpless families are left en-
tirsly destitute Of all means Of support. They
have probably run in debt for the necessaries
Of life. depending on wages fully earned and
Justly due; and there is nothing to pay debts,
or for future support. Is this eeuitable' Is
this equal and impartial! Is not this the
srossest oppression Why should sailors,
more than others, be thus made to suffer, till
misconduct is prorsd against them
The owners arc, probably. fully insured
not only for the first investment, but for all the
expected profits; and they actually. in many
cases OF shipwreck. make very profitable
voyage; but notwithstanding this. they are not
liable to pay the sailors a cent. What a law
for this age Of the world, and under a republi-
can government like surs in which Uie people
are said to rule
This is not. indeed, statute law it is Het az
act OF Congress. IL is maritime lava kind Of
common law--adopted many hundred years
ago. by the mercantile nations, in ages cow
paratively tarbarous, in which the common
people, such as saiiors, were estimated as Of
little account, and almost classed with hrutes
They possessed no rights. and no claim to jus
,ice or compassion. The wonder is, that in
,he present period Of reform. and Of regard to
tho working classes. no ameliera,ion has taken
place with respect 10 the situation Of common
eamcn. Ii is probable because they are us.
ually out Of the country, and net able 10 make
themselves heard or their influence felt. They
are not like other citizens, constantly mingling
with the community, discussing subjects Of
general interest. voting at elections, and taking
pant in the affairs Of the village, or the town
or the state, or the nation. They are absent
sud are therefore forgotten.
IL is time that the intere sis Of sailors at
teuaed to; that their just rights should be re-
spected tlat the laws should place thcm on
q par With the other laboripg classes. AL eho
laws. involving the interests Of common ssamep.
require TO be diligently and faithfully revised
by Congress. OF those statutes which sIist.
seme are oppressive. some defective, and most
NJ those intended for their benefit are not ere
euted. Some new laws are required; the
nari'ime courts require to be differently modi-
ned and general reform 10 needed both in
INC courts aud in the maritime code.
simost all cases concerning sailors are iria-
oe IN tne U nited States Circuit Courts. which
,n only t"ies year Sailors are therefore
iresuenily detained a home. Idle, or oftener
i-rri'onef, (parties ssl vitnessesl for six or
seven months, waiting FOR the sitting Of this
court; whereas, nearly all the eases m,rb nj inst
20 eel be tired 10 the Distract Courts. which
might sit rncpthly, or ofteuer with jurie, dr..
from the neighborhood Of the porr, at WHICH
rial Ia TO be had. Congress should take exam.
j'le Of the state legislatures. With te,pcet 20
speedy trials, and TO the s,rpiieiiy aud con.
'enience Of judicial proceedings. The preseut
regulations IN regard to the United Sizies
criminal courts ar. a standing dishoner to the
niiion. and manifest gross neglect by our
rulsr. - lsrg- and inrorisu, pouioa of eiti
y.~. AHtSTfDES