The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-09
Commissioner o6 Emigration.

THE LAWS IN RELATION TO FRAUDS on MIGRANTS,
AND WHY THEY ARE NOT ENFORCED.
meeting OF the Commissioners Of Emigration WAS
held Wednesday afternoon-Gommissionsr yerplanck
in the chair. Present. Mayor Wood, Commissioners
Schwab, Kelly, Carrigan Crabtres, Dunlap Purdy. Ken
needy, and Mayor Hall, of Brooklyn.
A communication was received from R. A. Witthaus
tendering his thanks for the expressions of kindness
passed the last meeting, when his resignation as
missioner was presented.
Commissioner Cairigan wished to know what action
Mayor Wood intended take reference to the alleged
Sandman paupers and criminals
Mayor Wood declined wering the question as mat
tiers were not as yet position to be made public Ac
ton, however, was being had and the laws would GER
tanl be enforced and the country protected from i'm
proper characters being landed on our shores.
Commissioner PrRDY called up resolution he offered
at previous meeting to appoint an officer canvas
the agricultural districts with view to send persons
who q burden to the commission to the coup
try, there to ind employment.
Before the subject was acted on, Mayor WooD stated
ton was WITHDRAWN, and the Mayor proceeded to say
that he did intend send written nication to
the board but found that his duties were of SO exact
ing nature to render it impossible for him to do
The subject he referred to in reference the
nsr IN which the poor emgrants were treated before
they were lanced on our shores. He would
oiler for adoption the following:
Resolved That special committee Of three be appointed
mode Of receiving lann emigrant at this
port and to any method n Their adgmsnt advisable to
pss Tor the better q 'ho interests OF SAID per
am satisfied gentlemen, continued the Mayor that
great hardship wrong have been done these poor
pe and that much OF the disabilities they labor under
might be remeded by proper action on the of this
Board The people having to do with emigrants who
receive licenses at my Office, the runners, boarding
house Keepers &c, can take charge of but there
over and 1t should see its duty performed in proper
manner. l detail policemen to board these vessels
would rob them to Keep off, The difcuity is that the
law compelling consgntes to keep these Objectionable
persons away from their vessels, Is not enforced The
men who after ALL do most to rob these poor people,
the South street merchants who wink at the frauds
committed by the runners. Gentlemen, in tis matter
at least have endeavored to do my duty, and regret
to say that my motives have been misunderstood.
have tried to prevent the ntrodact Of paupers and
after wrote letter the Hon. John Wheeler on this
subject, found that suspected of Directing to
Germans and other foreigners, as such. Nov, this
not the care have had positive assurances that in
Switzerland and Germany expeditions were being sent
out Of paupers and criminals to this country With
gard to the so called Belgian paupers and criminals,
who discharged by Judge Roosevelt have done
my duty ana my opinion to their case has
frmed by the fact that since their discharge, several
as am in authority, l will endeayor to do my
duty faithfully and honestly, and / expect the
cordial cooperation OF this Board to help me through
This commission organized with two noble objects
in vew-frst to protect the State, and that i'm
proper allowed to land these Shores AID
second protect the poor and honest emgrant Laws
have been passed conferng you powers sorry to
say you have not exercised. the law to which refer,
gentlemen, was passed July 1853, and reads as fol-
See l. Any acting for himself for and
behalf with any steamboat railroad
forwarding emgrant boarding house. who shall
solicit book any passenger cmigratng the United
States and arriving at the port New York. before such
shall have lett the vessel which he
rived, who shall board ship vessel,
arriving with passengers prior to the landing
such thererom and also
having employed such for the purpose
Of soliciting and booking such prior to their eay
the in which they arrive shall be scveraly
subject penalty hundred dollars for each offence
be sued recovered IN the manner,
jcct to the provisions Of law enacted in respect
other penalties imposed by the regulating the
powers OF the Commissioners of Emigration
person violating the provisions this section also
indicted msdemeanor which violation shall be held
and taken TO be msdcmearor and he SHALL conviction
be punished by ne not exceeding hundred dollars
imprisonment for sixty days
Now, gentlemen, l ask you to do your duty, and
to it that the law is enforced
Commissioner PuRpY said that the Commissioners had
done all in their power remedy this matter but foun
nsuperabls obstacles preventing the proper performance
OF their duty.
Mayor WooD-Tben Why don't the Board insist on the
enforcement of III. law? 1t gives them ample power.
The further discussed and the resolution
passed unanimously The Mayor declined acting ths
committee, al eging that his position antagon,stic
the Bosrd-he representing the city and they the
State.
number OF motions local matters were then
passed, after viii III the Board adjourned.
WEEKLY SUMMARY.
migrants arrived March Z, 1855. II, ass
N lau,A1 data