The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-18

The uneasiness inspired by the long delay in
hearing from her was increased to fever healthy
the loss Of the Royal Charter and its precious
freight of human lives. When disaster Of this
kind occurs its effect for time Is to render
our public sensitively alive to apprehension.
The knowledge that the North Star was crowd
ed far beyond her legitimate capacity Of ac-
comm0dation did not, Of course, contribute to
lessen the disquietude felt in regard to her.
Whilst the extent Of calamity is rendered
numerically greater by this circumstance, the
chances Of its occurrence are also increased,
for there is no guarding against the effect of
panic amongst multitude Of passengers cooped
up within narrow limits, and placed beyond
control by their numbers
When the fares Of the California steamers
were reduced to their present low rates, every
one foresaw what would be the result II was
notorious that it was only the high fares that
previously kept within check the rush Of emf
grafton to the Pacific coast. 1t was equally
well known that at the reduced rates
not two, but Eve lines of steamers
would be necessary to provide the requisite
accommodation for it. The sufferings of pas
sengers under the old system Of fares had too
frequently been made tho subject of complaint
to leave any doubt as to what the condition Of
things would be when the reduction took
place. These anticipations have in every re-
spect been fulfilled. We have seen three Of
these steamers go out with more than two
thousand passengers, all penned like cattle,
whilst on board the North Star there was, at
the lowest computation, over eight hundred
persons, including the crew. Had this vessel
gone to pieces large proportion of these
must have been lost; for, between the effects
of fright and the insuficiency of the means of
escape provided on board, there would have
been slender chance Of any but the most ro-
bust and active reaching the shore.
We do net see that the companies who own
these steamers are more blameable for the
risks thus encountered than the passengers
themselves The latter were fully aware Of
the Inconvenience and dangers to which they
exposed themselves; but, Notwithstanding this,
they not only determined to brave them, but
in many instances actually builicd the com
panies into taking them. 1t is the same on the
Australian lines, for there, as well as here it has
been found difficult to proportion the supply
of steamers to the demands of emigration
The rush of population to the gold countries
has absorbed more Of this class Of vessels than
any other branch of commercial traffic. The
old sailing ships which were formerly deemed
good enough for the transportation of passen-
l,o y,o 4 l.
the poorest. The steerage fares of the steamers
have been reduced so low that the time gained
by using the latter has completely killed oppo-
sition whenever it has been attempted. Thus,
whilst we have plenty Of sailing vessels rotting
at our wharves, that might be made available
for this traffic, the steamers monopolize it en-
tirely, although unable to furnish adequate
accommodation for their passengers.
There is evidently but one remedy for this
state Of things. 1t is useless appealing to the
humanity or good feeling of the companies, or
demonstrating with passengers on the dangers
which they run, for the cupidity of the one and
the Impotence of the others will override
any scruples or apprehensions that they
may feel. The stringent application Of
the provisions Of the Emigrant Passenger
act, which have been found SO efectuaI
in the transatlantic passenger traffic, will
at once put stop to the evil. Let the compa-
MES be fined and their officers imprisoned
whenever they take on board greater num-
Der Of persons than they can accommodate
within the specified legal limits. This done we
will answer for it that the competition of the
companies will no longer offer bait to the
foolhardy to encounter dangers and sufferings
like those to which passengers by the Califor
MIA steamers are at present subjected.
Coon News FROM PHILADELPHIA.--We have
received the following important communica-
ton from the Quaker City, and we lose no time
in laying it before our readers
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. Is, 1859.
J. G. BEssEr, ESQ NEW YORK HERALD
siR-tn giving the list Of vessels days HERALD
lying IN deterrent cities see you invariably omit the
City Of Brosherly love.
launch two splendid barks and that other craft
will soon be ready; besides have portion Of ship
world which Is than you boast Of 10 the city OF
New York So give the d. his due this an insertion
remain yours, SHlPMASTER
II gives US the highest satisfaction to know
that the maritime interests Of Philadelphia are
looking up. We of the metropolis can afford
to be magnanimous. We have no SIN all pro-
vincial jealousies to be appeased, no con-
temptible rural prejudices to be gratifed.
When the Great Eastern was announced
to visit Portland, we said everything
that was kind to our lucky fellow citizens
down East. Now that it seems probable that
the big ship will never cross the Atlantic at
all, we tender our heartfelt condolences to the
Portlanders. When "cargo Of fruit arrives
College discover new comet, we always pub
lish the facts to the world. Aud now that the
Philadelphians are building ''two banks and