The New York herald., 1868-05-11

exorbItant demands were made for the poorest and
nithiest kind OF boarding house raiions ann most
ana friendess females were oftentm%es % GROSSLY Out.
raged rag the people thus dealt with were cast upon
brokers who gave bonds to the shinownes @ 'o hy nic
for 81 ior each passenger they. agreed TO inden.
ny the i A,msloGse Nm authorities for any expenses In
CURED IN the maintenance OF findgent emarants and
90 care for them during two years. not ony Gacrantlv
violated their bonds but Laughed at the authorities
Tie Law creating the Commission increased the conn.,
mutation, or 'head money! ana as this intsrere
.scalpers," or those who gave the bonas Sor the .
ne, money and as these latter, together o viz tnS
the 4, overnors OF the Almshouse, had become cr,.a
nowerhl in local politics. determined attemnt tss VIZ
made to defeat the passage Of the proposed bin Il
was finally PASSED however, and Messrs. GuIian 9.
B. Minturn, william +; Hayemeyer and David o.
Golden were appointed Commissioners. The estab-
lshme1t Of the business ., 'as ana commission an was
citizens who were at the time Identified with the
democratic party, observing the narrow-mindedness
with which that party opposed measure which was
Instituted solely Tor the benefit Of the poor emigrant
lost all faith in the professions OF that party
in a short time the matter assumed party aspect.
But the benefits accruing TO the emgrant from the
wise provisions made at the time soon became mani
fest, and those who were not directly interested In
neecing the ''greenhOrns"-as they are called-ad-
mitted the efficiency of the change and acknowledged
the errors OF their opposition But the fu protec-
on to the emigrant could not be given as designed
until the
CASTLE GARDEN
was placed at the disposal of the Commissioners for
enligrant landing depot. Thither the emiyrant
conveyed from the vessel and here he could calmly
make the arrangements for his future II he
desired to await the arrival of friends II he were
expected by friends who mad called or sent
Tor Iin, he was aided by those in charge TO
ascertain the best and nearest way to find them.
If ne needed food he was supplied, and if unable 10
by the Commissioners at the refuge on Wards Island.
BUT ms dd not suit the opponents OF the business
where tickets to inland towns were sold to
the emigrans for gold at prices equaling
almost three times the amount which they were
sOid Tor at the agencies in Castle Garden and in many
cases the poor emigrants were furnished with bogus
tickets Their money was changed for them by these
"hounds" and bogus drafts given in exchange.
Cards for boarding houses were distributed before
they embarked and In many cases young girls were
consigned to houses OF prostitution. Almost all these
evils have been remedled, however, and none Of the
emgrants is allowed now to leave the garden until
the Superintendent is satisfied that he is properly
cared for and guarded from the operations OF thieves
and sharpers. But the opportunities for pecuation
and speculation offered TO employees in the Castle
of transportation companies who were permitted to
dispose OF tickets within the building, and by whom
tions to inland towns The Commissioners ordered
the dismissal of these dishonest agents. and the rail-
road companies, refusing to comply, Withdrew their
agents from the Garden
1t often also happened that emgrants were abused
during the transit from Europe to this country, and
when suit was brought against the Shipowner5 they
managed to delay the trial Of tile issues until the
c0mplanants were forced TO give up the contest and
come so dsgusted with 'the laws delay" as to allow
the matter to go by default In view OF these facts
the Commissioners, on presenting the matter to- tho
State Legislature obtained the passage OF
ADDITIONAL SALUTARY LAWS
OF their duties as custodians of the welfare OF the
emigrants One Of those empowers the Commis-
sloners 70 order the removal OF any agent or other
employs of any transportation company who may be
found guilty OF violating the terms Of the company's
agreement with the Commissioners or OF any other
''perpetuating testimony by which it is provided
that the emigrants having any cause for complaint
against any sh powners, or their agents employees,
may offer their testimony the question, subject to
cross-examination on behalf OF the parties COM
pained Oh ana, having gwen their testimony, may
sioners the prosecution OF thcir cause. These mea-
surcs viii be found highly advantageous TO the emf
grants and viii cause more prompt and full COM
pance with the provisions Of the laws on the part Of
Tie transporters.
II is wen to MENTION however, that latterly the
complaints against ships have not been very nu-
merous in comparison with the number OF emigranis
arriving at the port. This Is owing in great part to
the fact that emigrants to this country are now
patronzing to a large extent,
STEAMERS INSTEAD OF SAILING SHIPS,
and that the time of the passage and the better
accommodations furnished in the former gives but
little cause for complaint. The price OF the passage
is almost the same III both, and the amount saved in
time and gained in comfort on the steamers more
than compensate for the difference in the cost This
is becoming generally acknowledged, and the conse-
quence is that now the sailing vessels from Liver
pool or Ireland carry very few If any, passengers.
Of all these facts together with the extensive and
adequate provisions for the and comfort OF the
emigrants after they arrive here will continue to
draw them to this city instead 0f the other ports Of
the country which are holding out inducements TO
them: The shipowners declare that the abolition OF
the "head money" would make no difference In the
price OF passage; and OF the other ports hold
out as yet any extra Inducements 1t is safe to pre-
sumo that New York Will continue to be the grand
point to which emigrants will come when seeking
homes on this continent For the better protection
OF the emigrants going by way OF the Great Western
route, the Commissioners have lately established an
agency at suspension bridge, where the passengers
VIII be assisted in looking after their baggage and In
making the proper railroad connections