The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-22
Orr Albaay CerssspsAAsaee.
ALBAxv. JuAs 10, 1859.
Mayor Ps-y-7M E~isrsi Rs~~as = Judge

ALSANrs Ju0e ~, koOx.
Mayor P1,y-M E~isrsM Rs~~<rs = Jsdse
Haris' Dsrisio~.
During tho last dozen years, while smigraats
have been Aooking to this country in droves Of
Thousands, principally from tho German and Swiss
regions Of Europe, . system Of plumber has boon
practised in New York, Albany. and many other
places on their westward route. Of tho most vii
famous and unprecedented character. So crying
was the evil, that q sslfconstituted body was or
gapised in the city of New York. calling itself the
Commissioners of Emigration, with the object held
out to public view Of afording ample and perfect pro-
lection to all foreigners making homo and an ssy-
lum with as. The fact that deeply interested ship
owners and sipsndiary small pettfoggers constituted
that board, very soon created suspicion that pro-
lection to emigrants was not the sole object Of
their organization. The "head money" as it
is called, was placed in their hands, and va
rious reports to the Legislature disclose how that
fund has been managed by the commissioners.
During the two past seasons there were many
frauds committed as at any previous period
A law was enacted by the Legislature, at the in
stance Of their lobby agents, declaring no per-
son should be permitted to solicit emigrant pas
sengers, unless license was obtained for such
purpose from the mayors Of cities where such run
ners resided, upon furnishing ample bonds for the
transaction of the business upon fair and honorable
principles. Last year, Mayor Perry, of this city,
granted few Of such licenses Shortly afterwards,
complaints made of she robbery and ill treat
ment Of strangers by the persons thus licensed;
and upon being brought before courts Of justice,
these runners uniformly found means of escape from
punishment. through the Intervention of pettfog-
gers exhibiting the license from the mayor. by
the active exertons Of his honor ably aided by the
police and other citizens, he finally succeeded before
the close Of the last to render the sage Of
emgrants through this city or westward, tolerable
secure from the fapgs of those awless villains. AT
the commencement Of the present season, Mayor
Perry was again applied to by the same order of
passenger agents." for license during The coming
season. The Mayor, knowing the difficulties which
grew out of having license last year, determined to
refuse granting any during the present year. He
believed the law allowed him discretion in the
matter, and he concluded that the interest Of per-
sons travelling through this city, required such
assistance was proposed to be rendered by the
ners and therefore, refused to grant license to any
one This wise conclusion has produced the best
effect. Emigrants arrive and pass through the city,
by railroad and canal westward, without the least
annoyance or inconvenience whatever. During the
last four months, since river navigation was re-
sumed, thousaI d. and thousands have passed to
their destined homes, and not single complaint
robbery. The public began to think that the evil
was finally suppressed. The friends of the emil
grants consoled themselves with the reflection, that
they were permitted to pass onward without moles-
fleeing is feared to be nigh at hand. One ofthese
runners, to whom Mayor Perry refused to issue
license, applied to Ira Harris the anti rent judge
for peremptory manda,nus, compelling the
Mayor to issue snch licenses. A few days since
the honorable Judge granted the motion. and
the mandamus was accordingly issued. The Mayor
Of course will be compelled to obey, and then those
persons will again be let loose upon the unwary and
unprotected foreigner and of che most revolt
ing inhuman, and barbarous character, may again
be expected the line Of travel between the city
Of New York, or Boston, and the Western States
There is but little consolation in possessing inde
fatigabc and fearless public officer like present
Mayor, if the judges Of courts interpose their
power, and compel him to perform certain acts
which his experience has convinced him will eventu-
ate in harassing, embarrassing, and plundering emil
grants from the Quarantine to Chicago If the
Mayor has no other alternative than to license all
who apply, then we may very soon expect to hear
plumber upon plumber as the harpies are now prow-
ing the docks and boarding houses in scores, only
waiting for licenses to pounce upon the ignorant
foreigner. If Judge Harris has rightly construed
the law, then amendment, comforting more discre
ton in the Mayors Of cities in protecting emigrants
from the abuses of runners is necessary.