The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-23

Wild goose specualiny s.Deme lor TIE II Jeration
Of Central America.
The Case or the Belgians-Pauper Immigrants.
II may or may not be that the Belgians
whose examination will be found elsewhere
were convicts in their own country; they may
have been nothing more than paupers charge
able on the commune where they lived; but
certain it is that they were not the clasn Of men
which, at this moment, it is TO the benefit of
this country to import. Operations and enter
prises of every kind are suspended from want
Of money, the demand for raw labor has ceased
almost entirely, and m influx Of foreign pau
peers is sure to result in distress both to them
selves and to the country. Under any circum-
stances, therefore, it would be competent aad
judicious for the authorities to endeavor to
prevent the importation Of that class of immi-
grants, at all events until the times have
changed and the demand for labor has revived.
But the case must b. viewed in another
point of view. Whatever may be thought of the
defence made by the Be.gians, it is proved be-
yond doubt that they we're shipped from Eu-
rope by the police of their own country, and
their passage to America paid by the communal
treasures. The act Of emigration, if no compul-
sorry, was at least not spontaneous with them :
it was plainly the result Of q calculation by
the government, which showed that it would
be cheaper to pay their expenses across the
Atlantic than to maintain them uader duress
of some kind or other at home. Sending
them to us was, in fact, the cheapest
way of getting rid of them, and hence
it was adopted. This is not the first case of
the kind that has come under public notice
Shipments of paupers to America by the unions
in Ireland and Scotland were common enough
until within the last year. France, pursuing
the policy which furnished wives to the first
settlers of Acadia aud Louisiana had often
sent a stealthy shipload of pickpocksts and
vagabonds to the United States California
especially has been peculiarly favored in this
way. There are grave reasons for suspecting
that similar practice has prevailed not only
in Belgium but in various parts of Germany.
When the jails have been inconveniently fall
OF prisoners for minor delinquencies, an emf
u 0ns MP A6c uCSu tu0l sCLCN, 6u0 b1c SGakupc
thrust on board, Tree to pursue their calling IN
America. Thus it has happened that New York
has served Europe as sort Of penal colony.
and il some steps be not taken to put stop to
the system. is likely TO continue to do 50 ia
fu sure.
Small blame-tbis being the case-that Mr..
Matselis semi annual reports should show such
an astounding amount Of crime in the city.
Little wonder that while the foreign pOoula
t on Of the city is to the natives as three to
five, crimes committed by foreigners should be
to those committed by natives as seven to
three.
There can be no question but this sort Of
immigration is highly injurious Nor can any
doubt be entertained of the right of our author
tiles to put an end to it. Steady, respectable
men, whether from Germany, Englana france
or Ireland, it may be advantageous, under
ordinary circumstances, to invite to settle
in the United States but the offscouring
Of European jails can never be a.. ling
but curse, which government Ia bou4d to
avert from the country. European govern
nents may be suffered TO crafty their dislike
Of the United States by attempting to SOW
discord between North and South; but when it
comes to sending us not only their psupers
but the nondescript classes which at home are
kept under the eye OF the police it is hign ii ne
that Congress should interfere.
A more vigilant Executive would doubtless
make the recent case the subject of strong
representation to the Belgian government
through our Charge. As Mr.. Pierce will pro-
badly do nothing Of the kind, the matter will
be left Tor adjudication to the members OF
Congress- The present is q peculiarly favor
able time for full consideration OF the ques-
tions involved. Independently Of the necessity
Of guarding against an increase of misery
through the hard times, the prevalence of the
Know Nothing feeling will naturally tend to
draw attention to this fragrant abuse of the
laws on immigration and naturalization. 1t is
clear that some closer restrictions on the in
lux Of foreigners are needed whether ia the
shape of further bonds to be exacted from ship
owners, or in some other form, Congress mas,
decide. Nor will the fact, serving as il does
conjecture the extent, be without weight when
the time comes for discussing the requisite
change in the law which grants to foreigners
the privileges of American citizenship.
RELIEF FOR THE Poor 1t is pleasing to see
that movement has been made in several
wards to appoint committees for the relief Of
the poor and destitute during the coming win
ter. The action already taken should be fol-
lowed up in every ward of the city. People
should be called upon to subscribe according
to their means, and the money placed in the
hands of ward committees, composed OF re-
spectacle men, politicians being expressly ex-
clnded. This much can and should be done
without delay. If possible, the city should
commence the public works 1t requires at once;
the new City Hall would give employment to
thousands To the Government it vara NJ