The New York herald., 1869-03-22
THE STATE CAPITAL.

Rush Of Legislntisn-Tws Hundred Bills .
Day-Pr0bability Of . Profracted scaaisu-
The Emigration system Occupying Atten-
tion-The Case Of the James Foster Fever
Ship and the Board Of Health.
ALBANY, March q, 1862
For brief period there is pause in the busy
labors OF legislation both houses having adjourned
until Tomorrow night During the past week vast
amount of work has been done. which shows that the
time lost by the recess consequent upon the cere-
monies Of the fourth Of March is likely be made up
by increased activity in putting bills through and by
holding night sessions in the House fve times In the
week There is very little chance, however, that the
Legislature VIII be enabled to adjourn SINE die be-
fore the first or second week May, notwithstand
ing the fact that some two hundred bills are DIS
posed OF Ia some shape daily.
the subject OF emigration and the evils which oc-
csionaly yet too frequently arise from the present
system, which Is altogether too loose and not sui-
cently guarded by wise legislation, has come before
the aw-making powers here with some prominence.
It Is to be hoped that before the end Of the session
some definite and contirmatory action viii be taken
upon the bills now before tue Legislature. For In
stance, tie bill Introduced to the House by Mr..
James Irving giving increased power TO the Com
mlss0nerS Of Emigration To enforce the law OF 1858,
II it becomes law will be the means or extending
such protection as the emgrant system Is deeply IN
need OF. Everything which strengthens the hands
OF parties in whom the comfort and defence OF the
eMlgrant IS deposited becomes OF eminent import
Just this time when the horrors OF the voyage OF
the ship James Foster, Jr., are exciting public at
tention and sympathy. The Legislature has already
taken cognzance or this shocking episode IN our
marine history by the introduction OF two resolu-
ti0ns which are calculated to make material and
much desired revolution In the whole emigrant sys
tenn. The resolution OF Colonel NJ. G. Murphy intro
duced few DAYS ago, for example, appears to strike
at the root OF such evils have paralyzcd the pub
Inc mind by the last tale OF suffering and hardship
(f not murder) which comes from the hold OF the
'fever ship,n whose terrible details are daily de-
velOped. proposes that tine Legislature shall pro-
vide. by prompt action, for the appointment OF .
State agent to accompany every emigrant vessel to
and from this country such agent to be clothed with
authority to stand ASIA protector between the emil
grant and the officers and crew OF the ship This s
nothing more than those who come here to seek q
home under thefnvitaton OF constitution and the
promise Of citizenship, have o right to expect, or
that we should extend to them. such legislation
ls adopted we shall hear Of no more such terrible
events have occurred in this fatal ship OF detesta
BILE reputation. The second resolution referred to s
that OF Mr.. Htchman, questioning the authority OF
this ship James Foster, Jr to the hospitals of
Wards Island, who were not sick, nor In condition
to entie them to the privileges Of that institution,
under the law. The Board OF Health has got to an
Swer this question, well as to tell why those who
have since died 0f fever were permitted to land at
Staten Island and Brooklyn. 1t is remarkable that,
In the face or these facts the Health Officer should
just now for the first time, have discovered the
danger Of contagion reaching the city few news
paper paragraphs brought by the news boats, while
patients suffering from that insidOus disease, ship
fever only allowed to come ashore, but were
actually landed under the orders OF the Board Of
Health.