New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-04
Sailors Home, Newly ork.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Nearly thirty years ago series OF efforts for the
social and moral Improvement of seamen was com.
menced in this city. Il was work prompted By
the principles OF humanity and prosecuted more
by faith than By the encouraging fruits OF an almos;
hopeless enterprise. For in most instances when q
msrav wrecked crew was within fathom Of sal.
walton. the next returning wave remanded then,
back to certain destruction. Good was accomplish
ed-dmple good for all the time and money SPENT vet
the appliances too feeble against such obstacles
were here met These obstacles had their strong hold
in The boarding houses for and until these cou
be reformed manifest the obstacles would increase
in subbornness and strength and the condition OF the
sailor continue hopeless.
pcnre rhe establishment of temperance boardn Q
house for searen, by the American Seamen's Friend
Society eight years ago. This proving successful an
other was opened the following year and six months
ater another for coorcd The latter continues
principally through the enterprise of lis worthy super.
nendent while out of the former has grown up one OF
the brightest OF our cry and of the
beneicent institutions oil the land The SAILORS HOME
at 1910 Cherry-st.
Within three years ending the first of May last COS
snicr boardcrs have here enjoyed what every sal or
needle, the protection and comforts of a home. About
) 800 OF whom ip the time, have given their
10 the Temperance Pledge, and as assured, are
true to their pledge TO surprising extent considering
the multiplied and strong temptations to which they
some of whom have been taken from sinking vessels
some sent home BY Foreign Consuls and turned
out of doors by those vino have robbed them OF their
aobrieiv their reason and their money have found
shelter and food and true friends Nearly oneenth OF
the whole number have been OF this description and
real objects OF charity was the who fell among
thieves between Jerusalem and Jericho
Direct and powerful has been the influence of this
establishments and how il be otherwise where the
sailor learns the lessons of sobrety and sefrespect
where he associates with the best OF his
and has free sccess good brary-where the ternpta
tions 10 vicious ndugencies are removed and the mo
lives 10 be OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the sailor
feels that he neither barbarian, brute nor out
cas,-that he is of some value the community and
that mis- services are appreciGted-and where above all
he is daily reminded that he lives not for himself his
age. for time alone
How can such an establishment stand in the midst oil
some $50 sailor boarding houses without exerting in
auerce on them It gives great pleasure 10 learn that
some of them have removed their bars and keep
temperate and orderly houses-whie several ones
have been opened, making IN all. where recently there
were none, nearly score OF Temperance boarding
houses for seamen.
Nor is it less gratifying hear the testimony which
comes from the Marine and Police Courts OF this city
In the former suits against seamen for assault and bat
terry have diminished at least wohirds; while in the
latter prosecutions against them have diminished within
a year or least 30 per cent Cases OF larceny OF
stealing their part are OF very rare occurrence with
in the year ending Jan l. 1914 9s5 persons were brought
before the Police Court for the crime ofntoXcaton, and
not fifty of the whole number were sailors On III
average not one sailor week out OF the thousands
s,antlv in port-not one in thousand of those here
within year, is brought up before Court Of Justice
charged with crime marvellous change! wher: ".
consider their previous habits and their multiplied temp
taons to sin. cheering compliment aud rch reward
to those who have expended their time and mou"y g
promote the nj and moral Improvement oil spanen
for in doing they have most eectuay secured The
general good"
Nor in this connection must omit an expression %
cur sentiment in respect TO the iudcious investment o.
81 80 in the Sailors Home by six Of the Marine lnsur
ance Companies. For in the language of one of the
Presidents The Underwriters of this City arc deeply
impress led that the Sailors Home has been very nsru
mental in reforming the habits of and more
especially the sin of incompetence; and they are
disposed attribute the paucity ofmarine losses com
pared with former years the decided improvement If
the aud habits OF our more than 10 any
other cause" And in the words Of another President
Ii it does not yield 10 the Company an annual interest
il does better the rlsks that the Company
have assumed ana adds greatly 10 their security
Each friend OF humanity and virtue Tnust rejoice II
the establishment OF such institutions. both with refer
the great good they confer on the community
and tine ncacuabe blessings they secure to numer
GUS a noblehearted and long neglected class of men
AN OFFICER IN THE NAVY.