New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-07-13

ers stake great deal and sailors nothing il very da-
bious whether the former VII make the experiment,
though We have no doubt such an Arrangements would
coDduce to the interest of all parties concerned
Many of the most prominent Of the evils seem
rteparabe from the axty Of the present arrangements
Al the shipping Offices quite independent OF 1ne uons
question In occupations ashore, whether mecnancsi
or artistic, employer, whatever the deficiency OF tne
labor market would enter into six eight or ten months
engagement with workman, and advance him i've
months salary and above all send him 10 place vnerc
be would be exposed to all kinds of temptation 20 tor
felt the trust reposed in him. without first ascertanine
that he was possessed least % the two mos, ordinary
qualifications for the duty be was DESTROYS of underta
kins-cspabihy and honesty and if all these prscsu-
tons necessary on land they certainly less
so N sea- where the whole Of merchants property is
frequently entrusted 10 a set Of whose inef6cisncy
or roguery might plunge the owner into irretrevabe
ruin All violent changes in cases of this character are
impossible or if attempted defeat their own ends but
rerhaps some of the most valuable points 81 the British
registry system might be adopted here With advantage
although that method s whole, full Of the grayest
objections though the United States should be the last
country 10 complain Of IL, many Eogish sailors (ses
dom however, frstclsss, either as a. character or
efficiency having transferred their services TO American
vessels in consequence of the annoying over legislation
10 which they subject st home, not 50 mucn from
the registry system a. IN consequence OF other 'eAs
tious formalities.
We believe the method at present adopted in British
ports is as fellows All shipping masters are now com
pei. to be licensed and bound 70 offer as crews
only such if British subjects as are provided w'th
a Government register ticket This ticket Is issued IN
the FIRST instance to or boy who has been duly sp
prtnticed. probably also in some cases 20 abeD0ded
seGntn VITO can prove their competency. but wso msy
never have been formally indentured. On commencing
the voyage all the tickets handed TO the Captain aud
in case death deserton are delivered by hun II OUT
ward bound 10 the British Consul at the first port
be touches st, whose duty it is TO forward
them periodically TO the Board of Trade in london
where the registry number is cancelled. OLder this
it is understood that deserter can never re-
place bis ticket thus intending TO punish that offence OF
throwing the offender entirely cut OF employment, the
iarsQLted Parliament Of England forgetting that they
were thereby driving many very useful men into tOreiga
services But this Is not all the Withholding OF tickets
having been q very fruitful OF perjury, as an
affirmation that it has been lost supported by good
yam" and fine Of - 30 (iOs sterlng) generally
enables the delinquent 10 possess similar valuable
document. This is the worst feature OF the English
method better ID 10 be found in supplying the Captain
with paper of blank form, containing among other
information reports 70 the character OF each oil the
crew ability in seamanship and general conduct, with
any remarks he may deem il necessary 10 add Tbs
paper Is delivered on arrival to licensed shpmaster
Of the port who makes entry of in the BOOKS OF one
OF the sailors Homes, appointed for the purpose, aud
which books are open inspection of all that are
interested that should Captain be doubtful OF the
statements Of the shipping MASTER or the latter oil the
seaman. reference 10 the books Will enable eltaer,
Without trouble, 10 ascertain the rear tuceucl oi tue
To be engaged. IL is evident that there are many
good features ia this plan among much that is tedious
and unnecessary Ii certainly gives commander iull
proof of the capablty and general character OF his
crew. if he choose TO be at the trouble OF asceranng;
ii not, the fault is his Now II some similar Volun-
tary system were adopted here, good seamen would al
WAYS be able command any reasonable aud sometimes
rather unreasonable rates ot wages, never need be
DAY out Of empoy mtn and would thus ultimately torce,
by the advantages those who adopted this method would
l.. 70 a,n ha finn AT
method in the place of the present dsgraceul taSse--
ai,e 81 STEM alike unfair TO owners and injurious TO the
test interests Oh the sailors thrmseves
One of the greatest advantages OF the English plan,
probably that for which it originally enacted, Is that
the Government is enabled TO ascertain at any moment,
with tUlerable correctness, in the event OF war, the
nun Der If sailors lnthe commercial marine, ana wneth'
or nativeboIn Ct Orrigners-a classification It would
be mpossblet arrive at With any approach % accuracy
IN This country IL is that all citizens by adoption
supposed TO be patriotic aud therefore invest
ed with the privileges as those born aud reared on
American sOl but waving the question whether TINS
eeI eTous assumption Is well founded among class OF
men VITO h0O papers giving them nights oil citizenship
in haEadOzen countries, maneuver is res0rted TO
which renders il impossible to detect Who are citizens
even by adoption and y BIO are not law passed with
view OF training American makes provision that
vessel gsered by the United States shall go out Of
port manned by Yf lees than gOthlrds either ma
yebOn adopted citizens but this judlcious and sal
ut6y regulation Is constantly aud nOtUrOusly evaded ny
the iaItel ano each other of the necessary papers
tending 10 them tie protection OF this Government
lLese pI0octous, hey are call ID, are freely sold,
lent given the may be, 70 foreigners who
lave not the slightest claim % their possession; aud as
these papers frequently tall into the hands OF whose
appearance is totally opposite to that described some
ludicrous scenes sometimes occur. The most common
d Guilty into which the holders fall Is hat OF forgetting
their lew names ard il is very frequent with vessels
ming into port from long voyage that here great
trout end confusion 10 getting to to their
Dtmes when called, they have quite forgotten their
assumed sIpehuons aud are obliged 70 refer 10 their
"plotecti,n" to be- quite they the parties in
ouded Ibis is a great evil, and one which any kind Of
registry would check Practical men are, We believe,
giving the subject an earnest investigation.
AGRICIfI.T[rRAI.