New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-08

some Of the commanders Of packet ships, and in
not few instances to the owners also. Formerly
a captain could turn penny by selling his living
cargo TO the runners; and even merchant owners
have not escaped the imputation Of handling
their dirty money in pay for the e1-
elusive right to rob the passengers brought
out in their ships. All of this, however, the Legis.
lature put stop TO by authorizing the Commits
sioners to take the immigrant under their own pro-
lection.
Yesterday, in contrsyentiOn Of the law of the
State Mr. Councilman Jacob l.. Smith, of the
First Ward, obtained from Messrs. Boyd *
Hncken permit to go on board their ship St.
Nicholas and take off the passengers in spite of the
Commissioners. To this permit, the Acting Mayor,
Mr.. Isaac o. Barker added letter to Sergeant
Roach, commanding the Immigrant Police,
directing him to allow Mr.. Smith to board
any vessel in the port, and to do as he
pleased with the passengers without molesta-
ton. Armed with these documents, Smith did go
on board the ship take of her passengers, and land
them at Castle Garden having previously sold
them tickets to the West by the Pennsylvania Cen
trail Railroad. Although he landed these people
on the Castle Garden wharf he refused to put their
baggage there, but took it to Pier No. North
River, against the wish Of many OF them. a re-
port of the scene which took place at Castle Gar
den will be found in another column. The run
ners threatened to storm the place, and the stool
pigeons" among the passengers did all in their
power to incite riot. For two hours there was
every indication of serious disturbance, yet Mr.
Mayor Barker declined sending any policemen to
the assistance of the Commissioners.
Why Messrs. Boyd & Hincken should thus bold
ly subject themselves to heavy penalties and their
vessel to seizure, we know not. OF course they
could not have been influenced by any pecuniary
consideration. Wherefore, then, should they
deprive the passengers Of the protection which the
law has thrown around them We learn that the
Mayor subsequently confessed that he scarcely
knew what he was signing. He thought that there
could be nothing wrong in allowing member of
the Common Council to 60 on board ship,
when he bad the owners permission to do so; GER
tany he did not intend to extend that privilege to
all ships. BY his carelessness he has placed 80
people in most unfortunate and precariOus posi-.
ton, and rendered the Commissioners liable for
their support for five years after their pauperzaton
50 audaciOus have the runners become that they
wayay the officers employed in Castle Garden,
abuse them, and even threaten their lives. All Of
them. from the Commissioners down, are obliged
always to carry loaded revOlvers; and so slight is
the protection afforded them by the city authorities
that the utmost vigilance is requisite to guard
against sudden attack from without upon the
Castle. Should runners once obtain admission,
they would doubtless fire the building or raze it to
the ground. Will the city authorities quietly look
on while public officers transact their business in
state of perpetual peril, will they interfere in
behalf of public tranquility We are glad to learn
that the Commissioners will take prompt measures
to bring to justice the authors OF the outrage OF
Yesterday.