The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-10
THE EMIGRATION QUESTION.

the EMIGRATION QUESTION.
Interesting Correspondence--msyor 0wn-
vice 90 Forcigners.
JOHN WILLIAMS TO MAYOR eUNfHsk;
0svIcs or rEn Assno.s Es ..ss ~ o ssss.
No Bovine GREEN, Nsw York, Nov ~ iooo
On the l4th OF September last year, you dm me sne
homer, IN reply to communication when aanessou 20
you as member OF the Board OF 8migtauon oonmson-
ers letter desgn,d 70 express your dsap-
prevail Of the policy Of the government N icsism'ing Tor
she announcement OF imngrano anu eSmnanv IN S
lend your support To the eiorts OF shs company IN S-
ing effect 70 that policy. -.
In that letter you stated that the ue o. Inc sc OF
Congress carry out whsh this company mas been or
ganzed ga n mispomer and should have been called
bait under fraudulent preences TO enlist Foreigners
You asserted that the condition OF The aborer here Is
not one promising a remuneration under our inflated
paper currency "Onc hair OF his wages you assert,
% absorbed by axaon and the balance at the present
rates Is about forty cents in real value 10 each dollar OF
Wnn ae9ted the injustice of bringing European labor
ers into conflict with fifty thousand operatives In this
clty Alone conending against the oppression Of capital
with wages inadequate to their support being as you
are pleased say movement "for the benefit Of en-
ployor through the agency Of societies called into being
by this act Of Congress. -
You described the contract voluntarily made by Eu-
ropean isborcrs, by which they agree TO labor for
period not exceeding year terms mutually agreed
upon ga species Of servtude, rendering the condition
Of the aborer who enters IL menai dependent and de-
You referred in language expressive distrust o the
lawful money OF the United states" asking what Is
Within three days after the receipt Your letter put
such information your possession as was sufficient 10
establish the the object Of this corporation
facilitate and encourage the emigration Of operatives
from Europe to the United States, simply and solely for
put the proof before you that the statement made by
your Honor that he condition OF the aborer ID not one
promising fair remuneraton' was not true.
pointed to YOU that the purpose Of this Corpora
ton 'crowd together in the large seaboard
cities mutude Of aborers who fly from Europe to these
Shores but rather 10 dispense and disseminate them
through the country among the miners, manufacturers
and agrcutursts, who are 40 willing 10 employ them !"
informed you that the operations OF tho company
were identified any way with movements TO obtain
recruits for the American army. explained 70 you
that the contracts with the workngmen in Europe
by this company are entirely voluntary in their nature
and specify mnutely all the conditions upon which the
intending emgrant agrees 70 labor for his proposed en-
poyer that simply pledges the wages OF his labor for
the money loaned him defay the expenses Of mis- en
grafton; and finally, expressed my regret at the ex
preston Of doubt with which your Honor thought lit TO
allude to the national resources of the country.
But notwithstanding the information thus placed in
your hands, your Honor still thought fitting to suffer
Your letter am informed has been translated into
the German and French Languages and has been copied
by the British newspapers and, thus extensively circu-
lated in Great Brhain and Continental Europe, II has
| proved most powerful weapon In tho hands or tne
enemies this country, deprccalng the national
credit in Europe and has not been without its influence
| IN hindering foreign emigration
So Injurious did the effect OF it appear the Chamber
OF Commerce Of the Of New York. that in report
emigration adopted by that influential commercial
body, il is thus referred to:"Xour committee haye
the integrity Of The government of the United States,
and respect for the laws Of Congress- which patriotism en-
Joins should enforce II has been used abroad
In manner prejudical as your committee thinks. to
the best interests of the country The auhor himself,
Of foreign descent has attained TO fortune and station IN
city where the alien and the native born, out OF sue
cessfu life, willing or unwilling witnesses OF the
value OF our all embracing institutions.
cannot think that your Honor can be Wiling TO con-
nue under the load Of responsibility which now presses
upon you, the only public opponent Of emigration,
~ '.c~s'ore as the organ oil the company most
and fp in
< foreign emigration, and through which you were first
pleased TO avow your principles on TINS subject 70 the
public take the liberty Of asking you IL you are now
disposed to modify or the statements opinions
expressed In your letter TO already rel erred TO- or
YOU still continue to assert and maintain them de-
sign that this inquiry may not be doomed intrusive
make II respectfully but am 80 conscious Of the incss
cuabe eyilwhich your letter has produced that am
mpced thus TO address you in the hope that while yet
high Office to repair IT, JOHN WILLIAMS
General Agent for Emigration.
% the Hon c. GoprRxy GuSrHEs Mayor OF the city OF
New York.
MAYOR 0UNrnEH TO Mr.. WILLIAMS
MAYORS 0FPIc, NEw YoaK, Nov 81, 1885.
JOAN WILLIAMS Esq, General Agent OF the American
have the honor to acknowledge your favor Of the oath
relation TO certain topics embraced in letter ad
dressed 70 you on the l4h OF September 1904 on the
subject OF the operations Of the American En'grant
Company You conclude By stating II substance THAI
the hope that would use my influence 10 repair it.
To repair wrong which may have caused is SUM-
have been disposed TO raise to certain portions OF your
letter.
quite confident that in few lines neutralize
the evil Of which you complain The condition OF public
affairs in the United States has changed entirely since
wrote the letter alluded 70. Peace has succeeded civil
strife waged scale that aptly described as ggan
tic. This the main element which weighed ON my
mind when mpelled by sentiments regarded as just
and humane, | gave advice TO my fellow men, albeit
poor in other lands TO hesitate before embark ng for
shores drenchcd Ia iraterna blood.
Iyeld to none in my estimation Of the value OF emil
nftnn II hU aVQ m AM
honorable means, both as enlargng the prosperity OF
the country Rnd conducting to the happiness and free
dom Of the emigrants and Their children.
The discussion Of other points presented such the
constitutional power OF Congress, the effects OF taxation
and paper money and the form OF the contracts pro.
cohpcae the subject II Is sufficient to say that they
are Of minor importance
II heretofore emigants have been deferred by my in
fuencc from seeking home in America l now say
come especially when vast aud fertile region, delight
Jul in climate aud rich in resources invites the farmer
and and holds out rewards greater than ever
fore offered TO industry frugay and SKILL Let them
come and by their devotion 10 that glorious cons,itu
ton which Is the only test OF patriotism, repair te
ncalculable cvin caused by those pencous counscls
which destroyed FOR time our domestic ranquill.ty
c. GODFREY GUNTHER
MR.. WILLIAMS REILLY.
orrIc- THE AMERICAN EmdRAS CoaASY,l
No BOWLING GREEN,
NEW YoRK, Dec. A. 1885
have the honor acknowledge the reception of your
letter OF the 27th ult, which, however, did reach
this Office until the afternoon OF the % inst.
which read this frank rctracton Of the presented
In your letter OF September H. 1894 shall fail
give 10 your Honors communication vide publicity
Is possible throughout Europe. In thus cndeavoring
neutraze the evil thai has been done, am pleased TO
think that hest consult your personal wishes
II will be satisfactory to your Honor " be assured that
your invitation thus abroad 10 the people OF Che Old
World 10 come and avail themselves Of the oppor-
tunty here offered 70 menof all naonaities and OF all
Industries to attain position OF personal independence
political freedom and social elevation utterly beyond
their reach in their native land will have special In
sela
concur heartily With your Honor 10 the wisdom Of
abstring from reference TO other subjects, which,
compared with the magnitude OF this great topicthe
cnco :ngcment Of immigration-are indeed of "minor
importance
Permit me- sir to express the confidence that in the
future retrospect OF your administration the Chef