The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-31

4k3&1 MERCANTILE uAvIES.
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The Msrcaueile Navies Of the Chief MARITIME
Pewers-Thclr Orgauixs tions 6ystem Or RAu.
cation and Protecsion Of Thcir Persennel--
TherosHhIy Educated Americas Captains
Needed-Propcr Protection 20 Americas Sea-
mon Demanded Of Congress, SO.
Never has there been ereater Interest taken In the
status Of the than n tho present moment His
elevation s not only suggested, but demanded. with
Justice too Of Congress- American seamen have been
too long neglected misrepresented and undervaiued in
proportion the services they have rendered Ssamea
special cass Of men Their hardships their endur
ance their eratic and vagabond habits have till recently
made them reckless OF consequences and indifferent
their future They looked 10 the present. how TO pas
II joliIy, and cared not for the morrow.
But different cass Of men from the old Jack Tar OF
the early part Of this century have sprung into exist
Of more reflective minds, better informed
apd educated Steam and other Innovations which In
srs reflection the aboshing OF grog and OF corporal
punishment 40, have had their effect The former
have activated the seamans psrceptve faculties caus
Ing him to Observer the latter have removed temptation
and deprived brutal superOrs Of power too frequently
abused.
One OF the notifications Of the seaman's character
cviiizsr II may express myself-is the contact
with the many passengers. particularly emigrapts TO
which the sailor OF day is LIABLE Il has had its
beneficial influence; improves his manners 1t gives
him correct idea Of his importance as compared 10
that class Of passengers who frequent the steeges Of
vesssS The sailor is now aware that bis
specially makes him invaluable to the merchant and TO
the government; he understands that be IL Of greater
consequence than the iaborer the men Of the lower
arts 9. meter Comprehendng this, the seamans reason
tells him that he has been misused and not remuncrated
In proportion 70 his worth Merchants knew this too
To
ignorance Of it But now that seafanng men Reject
that they think for themselves immense interest Is
taken In their behalf a.; petitions How 70 Congress-
philanthropist interested merchants preach
er superannuated capainsa combine to assist in tho
amelionhon OF Jacks condition Indeed, tars have
suddenly sprung into Importance has been discovered
that they know thing two, that they exist, and
should be cared for.
The sailor, aware OF bis importance as compared to
laborers &C., understanding that without him commerce
would DO paralyzed and the government Golfers empted
have begun TO act Workmen Of all branches Of indus
try be found 70 supply the vacant places Of the
strikers OF the dscontented. 1t is not with the
seamen; they not made In day; they know IT. and
they will take advantage Of IL; with justce. too.
The has noticed that tho least remuneration Of
the aborng classes In excess Of the pay OF the men OF
his professions he compares dangers OF his calling to
rnerce to the importance Of those who live by IT, the
comparison 10 In his favor nevertheless be Ia the least
in the scale OF rswards seafarng demand
pay in excess Of equal TO- that OF tho laborer
Tho laborcr receives 81 so TO 81 per diem seamen de-
mand $40 per month and their ratons II Is rot too
much yet Il is refused by spowners To enforce
their just claims the seamen organizing Scamens
Protective Association, WHICH wisoon extend lis rsmin-
cations throughout tho Notwithstanding world. The
society will just romunoraon In return for SER
vices rendered should slipcxners refuse 70 acqoesc
sao with Srus 70 are not smnrsa nor
packed on board or outward bound vessels The re-
quiremonts Of tho United States laws will be enforced
end exec lted BY tue seamen's counsel Ntts
IL u the duty Of thc government to legisatc in favor
OF It's nautical men. Thor education, training protec
on &c, should DO attended 10, and such laws passed
viii he binding in aH States At present tho lava are
local Sae laws made principally TO the views OF
ciaplains and supoIannusted sea captains who. per-
placed under the fostering Of no above cOmbna-
lion The evil s the result Of local legislation for pro-
fess0n which il national and not local soanen dout
belong TO this or that State, 20 New York nor 70 Mas
eachusetts but to the Unod States and iss govern
ment should they look for proper protective laws The
faring population but what laws By whom suggested
and TO whom intrusted for ui6iments Laws which will
help Jack 60 part with hts salsvy pay for the
whistle and get tracts In return Al before, the
eoeived something In exchange for his cash. his
physique cared for aud occasional jolly spree
allowed him But now he will pay for WHAT Pous ad.
vice:--"Do as tell you. not ~ do"
In the several late laws passed by the Legislature Of
New York tho following will tend to show the drt OF It's
There shan be and hereby created board denom,.
Boarding sass. o. Io.ss in the ciae. Ee~fori and
consisting o psrsas % he selected by each o
Y o 81 e ~: and s;s he
for Promoting tho dcspei Among seauen ia the Of New
hromen Of tie rort Of New York Irish Catholics
men who do not care snap OF the finger tor psalm
singing They have their spiritual guides their churches
SC, and a. general thing, pay greater attention To
thoi religious duties than the Of obor cceds Are
they be compelled TO board whore Isverends and Cap
tans SO and so win ~ should say not Nevertheless
the law gives tho power 10 clique TO select landlords
IL makes them dependent on few mon for power to
open house. What condition Is imposed canno, az
present Perhaps they required TO give tracts
TO stimulate the appetite. To begin with, Congress-
should abolish taxes on vessels ana restore the nag to
count ~ the neglect OF government % protect thom
With present Il u almost impossible for ship
pete With foreign vessels for freight nor passage, be
cause OF greater expense enhanced by taxes. by
mem ~ w Sr
are provided with bogus projections and nnderbd our
American fearncn. Thus was II heretoioie, out such
transactions win longer be tolerated; the society will
look 70 u and attend 70 the rgh OF IL co naonalsts
Our conntrymen are mot aware OF The scandalous man
poymsnt By acscr,ers and icregoes Who arc provided
with false pfutectons They not that after
voyage The careless sailor either leaves his profession
with the merchant or sells 10 pafes Who resen IL 10
outwardbounders FOR double OF treble the purchased
price such Is the case. Who II TO blame because Of
validity 10 these prctectloasf The Custom House on
Gers 10 DO sure who the protection 81 black hair
and eyes Dick, though the presenter Is 4 blond Men
are taken board who hear their names called for the
rrsi time; they are told i Is Their name, the pro.
lection says so such men, nnsc4usnted with our IAN
grsge thrust into places designed by la~ for Amer
citizeps Tie Law provides for bird foreigners,
why not then reserve tue twotrd es for gcnu
nc citizens " the United Statesf II lie gosernrncnt
officer win not attend 10 u the American seamsn Pro-
frctiye Aesoe alton will. Al Uirr Collector
since writing tue above have chs bcs evidence that
the 70 called American steamers py.Eg 10 German ports