American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-09

~ all useless Offices and the correction nt all abuses
II the elective franchise and naturalization HWs''
FAcrs FOR rus PGopLr. Tao desire to ar
ccst the practice of foreign governments, of
transferring their criminals aud paUpers to the
United States, is not confined to the natives of
this countrv-on the contrary, all respectable
naturau1ed citizens sarc solir.ious that il shall
&c abolished foIthwith for they feel that it is
rot only 4 disgrace, but deep injury to the
country of their adoption. And here we take
pleasure in saying, that, amongst those who
most sincerely cherish the principles Of tic Ma
tive American party, are naturall2ed citizens.
They have selected this country for the abode
Of themselves and children, and reject, with
sC3rn, the idea that the latter are to be raised
an1angst cOnvlcts and paupcIS, or to be ruled
by their votes. Respectable foreigners who vi
sit our country express establishment, that our
government should tolerate the practice of Eu-
ropean authorities in sending their convcts and
paupers to this country-and Americans abroad
aave to blush with shame when they see it
publicly announced, that the punishments OF
criminals are committed into Punishment to the
United States. We have not conversed with
single individual who has not expressed decid-
ed disapprobation in relation to the practice to
which we have referred; but still it is continu-
ed and IS likely to continue, unless the people
take bold stand on the subject, and require
that their representatives shall pass the neces-
sary laws to relieve them from the intolerahleI
grievance OF which we complain.
pave are resolved that the people shall have
i4cts in regard to existing abuses; and therefore
continue the publication of testimony taken by
order Of the Senate of the United States. The
following dispositions were taken by the com
:nissoners in Philadelphia;
lawrence Herbert, of the city of Philadel-
phia, being duly sworn, deposeth as follows;
| am, myself, a native Of Bavaria; was born
in the year 1871, and have resided in the u.
States nearly twelve years. and have been ma
turalzcd about eight. am now, and have
been for year ana Il half, agent, appointed by
.he German Emlgraut Society, to procure en-
ploymcnt for destitute emigranls from Ger
many.
1t Is my opinion and belief, founded upon my
observation, that foreign criminals have been
introduced into the United States, from some OF
the States of Germany. by authority OF Go
vernmcnts or cities. When have, on several
occasions, visited vessels Just arrived at this
,eert, and have inquired, as IS my duty, as to the
character Of different passengers, | have been
told, on one occasion, by several cmigrants, that
men have been brought and shipped under the
ruard Of armed poIlce--this was a ship from
Bremen; this was last summer a year. On an
other occasion, which was the last, that of the |
ship Philadelphia Captain Graves, from Bre-
rmen, which arrived about six weeks ago, a
young man was pointed out to me as having
come from house of correction at brunswick;
his name was Charles Papenberg This is the
same man who has, within few days, been ar
rested IN this city, and is now in custody on n
very heinous charge OF murder. Since his ar
rest, | directed man to go to the Office OF the
mayor, by whom he was arrested, and examine
his passport, which was found to be III complete
order. But do not attach importance to this;
for if the Government abroad would send him
here, it would of course furnish him passport
! have heard of many cases OF cOnVcts being
here; they have been pointed ont to me.
Generally, almost always, in these cases,
where have obtained employment for persons
of this character, they have turned out badly.
II is the general opinion OF the respectable Ger
mans Of this city, that foreign convicts are in
LroGuced into this country. Iney are very
anxious to put stop to such a practice, and
have had several meetings on the subject; and
am very glad to have had an opportunity OF
giving my testimony on the subject. 1t is IA
matter in which respectable naturalzed citizens
are much interested.
To the other interrogatories, he answers:
! know not IL. HERBERT.
DIR. Charles Wittg, being duly sworn, de-
poseth as follows:
am a native of Germany | reside now in
Philadel phia, and am a citizen Of the United
States. | have no personal knowledge Of the
importation of convlcts into this country from
Europe, by order of any European Govern
inent; but have received letter, addressed TO
me because | was a member of the German
Emgrant Society, written by gentleman who
signs himself J. q. ST. Eange, and who writes
from AIegany county, Indiana township
[Pennsylvanla,) under date of Cd Jan. 1916.
The letter was then produced, the substance
of winch, accurately rendered, is as follows:
81 perceive in the Plttsburg Courier of the
18th December, 1914, copied from the pages of
the Philadelphia Democrat, which paper had
taken 1t from the American papers in the Eng
lish language, that Frederick List. ESQ, con-
sui at Wurtemberg had written from Lepsic
that the German Governments not only were
designing to send OH Their paupers, but also
their criminals, TO the United States. That
this has occurred for several years, can testify
and prove. This did not astonish me, but re-
ieice that we are determined earnestly to OPP
nose it, and inform you of my knowledge on
the subject. On the 30th OF July, 1887 / ira
-ao.IIed from my home, the dukedom Of Sch
svartzbnrg Sondershausen. From another vii
iage. the mag,stracy desired TO place under my
caIe person who had several times stolen, and
zyho was great burden to the community, and
1hev were anxious to get rid of him. ! refused
she service, hut the maglstracy then took a
..netmnrthu MESSENGER, who conducted him u