New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-17
LABOR NEw-Y RK;
-......--.,.e-- cnSnrr1nSs AID MEwAkps
No. xxyI.......T The sailors.


Sailors of all descriptions in the port OF New York
The individuals composing this floating population
are necessarily changing as ships arrive and depart
or as the money OF the Sailors themselves runs oo'
through the scuppers or down their threats. Inc
general characteristics OF the Sailor however are so
strongly marked and 50 similar in the different indl-
vidua!s OF the same class that is practicable TO get
a very correct idea OF the whole by examining any
given portion of the mass.
The character of the Sailor has been so freely ex-
patiated upon by noveliss that little to be said in re-
spec, 10 him that can be new He is reckless OF money
because he lives much OF his time OF the world
of trade and speculation that he knows nothing of
the Inconvenience or necessities OF money and the
circulating medium with him is never permitted
long 10 foreco its proper MISREPRESENTATION. 1t is
not 50 much from spirit Of extravaganza or waste
fitness tina, the Sailor spends his money freely
it is tina, he has never been taught TO know its value
The Sailor is frank, generous. sympathetic brave
but he Is also sullen and logged under rebuke and
submits to discipline not very gracefully. To etfec,
total demolition OF independence and individual
will regular apprenticeship in the Navy is neces.
sary Here the Sailor becomes as mere machine
as King could wish In the merchant service. how
ever, the Sailor is quite different person. He has
his rights and pretty generally is well acquainted
with them. He has Court made almost on pur-
pose to accommodate him ana plenty of lawyers and
land.sharks, who are always ready TO stand by
poor Jack as long As he has a shot in the locker.
The wages of Sailors in the regular merchant
vice has greatly varied for many years past Al
though the demand and the proportion between it
and the unemployed iiuctuate very much The
present wages OF Sailors is SIS per month. Some
times it goes down as low as sig, and then they
generally have strike and bring it up again
The life the of Sailor on shore is TOO often regular
succession Of extortons and impositions praciised
upon him by every one with whom he comes in
contact. At the moment OF his arrival-before his
foot touches the wharf.-the is bcset by the landlords
of the Sailor Boarding Houses and dragged off 10
one oi these uncomfortable, miserable dens, where
man is glad to get drunk to drown the sense of the
utter desolation which reigns around. Here he lies
and drinks debauches, and until his pay is
all xhausted 10 the very last cent-and then he
permitted to ship or, if there is no demand, he is
remorsclcssy cut adritt His money is all CONC
his clothes are worn out his spirit broken, his
stomach and brain half consumed with the fires of
| poisonous brandy and other heisa mixtures-and
he is ripe and ready for anything. When he ships
the landlord kindly consents TO become his security
/ for the bounty, and in return makes him promise
and Jack is a faithful keeper OF promises 10 come
back 10 his house to spend his money when he re-
turns The extent 10 which these practices have
been and are carried. the expense of the Sailor,
is truly deplorabe. He is not only robbed but poi
| 1:
fused and his whole being paralyzed and com
pctcly these things enforced upon him by
heated experiments, that he almost naturally looks
upon the shore as a kind of general HOLIDAY place.
where one sees great deal OF fun, gets his peck.
ct picked, &c. &c.
Since the establishment of the Sailors Home,
however, many of these abuses have become par
tally corrected. So far we have been
abled to learn the affairs of that Institution well
and honestly managed for the benefit of the Sailor
There are generally about three hundred inmates in
this place, and they uniformly dealt with. we
have every reason to believe, in tho most honorable
manner There is no liquor permitted about the
establishment and the business of shipping the
men is carried upon very upright and inhexibc
principles The worst thing arising from the insti-
|
and vagabonds who can no longer remain in the
ordinary private Boarding. Houses, come TO the
Home, as last resort, whence they are engaged
| by Notares who get sometimes badly bitten and
this makes the Merchants rail at the Sailors Home
| for keeping such miserable sailors.
The character of the Sailors for temperance is
gradually but surely improving. The Sailors
Home has done great deal in this respect, and the
| Bethel great deal more. Indeed. the latter is
laborng most successfully to inform and elevate the
mind of the Sailor and bring him 10 view himself,
his duties and responsibilities in and stronger
light. The moment he can free himself from the
thradom of grog and the low and infamous assoca.
tons TO which he is proverbially exposed, his whole
mind and character will begin rapidly 10 show of
what they are capable.
ASTIRESTERS IN THE FAR WEST.-A move.
very similar to that which has kept this State for
long time in confusion and alarm has just been agi
tated by sundry discontinued persons in Greene Co.
Wisconsin Territory which has called forth much
ton from the public journals published in that neghbor
hood The bone of contention is the Claim Law enact.
ed by Congress- some years since with regard 10 certain
unappropriated lands in the farther West, and which
does not seem to give very general satisfaction TO those
for whose benefit it enacted We have room Tor
brief extract from the Milwaukee Gazette:
THE GREENE COUNTY CLAIM SocrETY.-Under this
Society has been organized in Greene County in
this Territory the object OF which seems to be
the Claims of all who may become members. quar-.
section OF Government land the minimum price
with three years time pay for it, provided that
dollars worth omprovement shall be put upon within
thirty days after filing the claim with the Society and
dollars worth in each succeeding year. We lsider
the whole tenor OF the constitution OF the Society 10 be
at with that true spirit OF law and order which
should characterize the citizens of free Republic. AS
specimen we give two or the articles
ART. 18th The members of this society shall refrain
from holding any intercourse Of friendly with
any one who shall enter anothers' claim (whout such
claimants consent) in any manner neghbor with him
his family or any else who vii neighbor or be-
friend such person and furthermore utterly refrain
from buying of or selling TO him or in any way
assist him. for hire charity, except of
sickness in his family.
ART. 18th. ANY person who shall enter, or may have
entered, any valid claim from member Of this society
will De required settle the the satisfaction OF
the Committee of Justice.