The Empire County argus., 1855-06-09
Oeean Steamer Enl.e.

| The price of q passage from New York to San
Francisco, by the Nicaragua route, on the 9th
n arch and down to the latest advices was SIS in
the steerage S125 in the second cabin, and SITS
in the first cabin. This reduction of fare from N
York hither is said to be owing to the exertions of
Mr. Garrison, and the act is entitled to commenda-
| ton.
The price of passage by the Mail Line from N.
York San Francisco, is not published in the east
ern papers, but we suppose the same rates prevail
as by the other route.
The reduced rates of fare given above are with
in the bounds of reason, and if they continue for
long period, California will be materially benefited
thereby for an increased immigration must be the
consequence.
1t is difficult to ascertain the price of passage
from here to New York. By reading the advertise
ments of one of the steamship companies, as pub
lished in the mountain papers, an inexperienced
man would naturally infer that passage could be
had for almost nothing. But when application is
made for tickets at the Offices in this city the price
is found within fraction of the most exorbitant
rates ever charged Although there has been
some variation of rates recently, we believe the
following about the standard price it is the rate
paid by several gentlemen who left here for New
York by the last steamers we ascertained after
patient inquiry: First cabin, $3.50; second cabin,
S175; steerage, S120.
1t will be seen that it now costs about one-third
more money to procure passage from here to N.
York, than it does to get passage from there to
this place There is no Justice in this discrimina-
ton against our people, and Californians should
not suffer it, Every man designing to return East,
should make il point of honor not to step foot on
a steamer until he can get passage insured tor
the same price that would be demanded for the re-
turn trip. Let our people pursue such course as
this tor six months. and the steamship companies
will be glad to make terms otherwise their busi-
ness will not be worth following.-S F. Sun.
While this subject is in hand, we will make an
extract from private letter, written by Nicara-
qua passenger, to gentleman in this place. The
writer is gentleman of known integrity and We
racty who has resided in our town for several
years AS a matter of simple justice to the COM
muniy, we take the liberty of giving readers
glance at the contents of the letter. so that any
who may consult the fashy bills and advertisements
issued by these companies, may not be wheedled
into buying tickets without some little knowledge
of what they may expect, while making 1.-The
quickest and heathiest" " trip:
Il went aboard (thc river steamer)
with the rest, but could not find standing place.
so climbed the slippery bank again, and roasted
about an hour on bench in Kelly's whisky shop
the only house in town. AT IL o'clock that night
the passengers of the Star of the West arrived at
this landing and of course another Babel was Gre
ated. At daylight we cast off, and went crawling
down the river at very slow pace. Shooting ali-
gators and monkeys amused the crowd, until at 4
P. Nj we arrived at Greytown or Punta Arenas,
where we took the Star of the West, calling at
Key West to coal. Thus you have brief history
of my trip across the Isthmus via Nicaragua The
last day the river was villainous beastly Cat
tie would not be treated more brutally than we
were crowded into dirty, seventy mine river
steamer, with nothing to eat or drink, unless we
had taken the precauton to furnish ourselves with
supplies, at Virgin Bay or Castillo. A system OF
extortion and robbery is practised on all passen-
gers, by every one with whom they are thrown in
contact and it is all winked at and encouraged
by the Transit Co. Some of our passengers had
to pay as high as ten ana fifteen dollars extra for
mule to ride from San Juan del Sur to Virgin
Bay notwithstanding our tickets guaranteed a
beast for the transit. Nearly every one of us paid
from so cents to two dollars extra for our ong-ear-
cd animals. The natives who furnish mules and
take the tickets from the passengers, take occasion
to extort as much as they can get from every body
who uses their beasts. Don't let any body whom
you can influence ever come home that way"