The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-01
The Runners OF New York-Outrags and
Imposition ON EmiGxaAts.

The system Of imposition pursued by large
portion of the New York runners is such as to cali
aloud for some legislative enactment to protect the
unfortunate emigrants who seek our shores as a
place Of refuge, but whose first impression must be
that it is land of rapne, Of rogues and rapparees.
A number Of emgrants arrived at this port on Fri
day last, per ship Galena, and Immediately became
prey to those haIpies. 1t appears from the COM
plant Of George Niethamncr, made before the
Mayor on Saturday, that he is native of Inter
Irdingan, in the kingdom of Wu-temberg, in Ger
many; that he and about three hundred other emf
grants arrived at New York on the 9th inst from
Havre, by the Galcna /; arriving at the quarantine
ground, at Staten Island, steamboat alongside
to take off the passengers and their baggage; the
passengers were ordered into and accordingly went
on board the steamboat; the steamboat left the
ship at the quarantine and arrived at the pier, at
the foot of Duane street, at about halfpast 3
o'clock, P NJ, on the same day, 9th day of August
and the baggage and passengers were landed on
that dock; the gate which shuts the dock of from
the steeet was closed, and the agents and runners
prevented the passengers from leaving the pier
though a large number of them were desrous Of
going into the city of New York to their friends
and relatives but whenever they stated their wishes
to that effect they were told they could not leave the
pier until they had paid their passage into the In
terror The deponent and about fifty other passon
gers Immediately resolved that they would under
no circumstances pay, but would travel by what
line they pleased and not one OF the party who so
resolved did pay. They were then detained on the
pier until about o'clock, when the passengers, par
tcularly the women and children, became exhausted
from fatigue and want of noluishment, and fearing
that they would be dots lined all night they dssper
to escape. They then endeavored to climb
over the gate by one, and by various devices es
capped from the pier Several OF the passengers when
tr, ing to get out were held back and knocked down.
or struck in the face with clcnched fists by the run
pers one OF whom threatened TO tie the passengers,
arms and feet, if they did not forthwith pay taei,
passages. They all steadily refused to pay; but did
not get of from the pier till nine o'clock Their
baggage was then refused them, and they were.
come quently obliged to leave their chests trunks,
and all their ellecss, on the pier the whole night
Several Of the passengers went back with the desire
to watch their efe sts but they were denied admit
lance and were obliged to leave their property to
the mercy Of tho runners. On the morning Of the
18th inst, the passengers again went back to get
their baggage, and the runners still refused to de
liver il TO them until they paid Que dollar five
francs for each person, which they told they
must pay Tor bringing their luggage in the steam
boat from quarantine, and for storage on the pier
The deponent and four Others in his company, after
having refused 10 pay such charges, succeeded
with great difficulty, IN getting their luggage or
payifp one duar8nc half Tor all i've
iohn RoeloiCs, Of Philadelphia, nlturali6cd CT
tizen OF the nited States, where he has resided Tor
eleven years and was his return from visit TO
| Germany, dfposcd that lie was . pissengcr "a he
| Galeba: that be read the affidavit u George
Netbammcr expecting thetreatGent thceuiz rant
passengers, sno that each ard cGety allegation il
IL is true; and that during tho detention OF tho paa
sepgcrs he Qioololes) vac struck IN She face by The
| runners aud wss prChitI,ed from speaking to the
other passenge two of whom ladies under his
charge; dePopent, well as the other passengers,
could not get his luggage until the morning Of the
28h. and there is missing from !. feather bed, y
cloak. ard a small bundle OF linen, which cannot be
found, and which deporent suspects have been
| stolen.
Joint affidavit, corroboraive Of the above state.
neDt. made, and signed by several Of tho other
passengers An official was despatched TO the pier
| to demand the baggage, and the matter remains il
! tha bards of tho authorities