The New York herald., 1869-11-29
DESIGNS OF THE DEMOCRACY.

DESIGNS OF THE DEMOCRACY.
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The Emigration missioners-Democratic
Threat Of Abolishing Castle Gardeu-The
Folly and Impotence There0f-The Good
Accomplished by the Board-The Bad Sure
to Follow Any Tampering Herewith.
In the general talk about the attitude of the tr-
umpbant democratic party towards the various
boards and commissions Of republican and legsla
tive origin the board designated the Commissioners
OF Emigration is strangely mixed up and mentioned
In peoples conversation as one not alone likely,
bu. sure to share the fate OF being abolished with
all the rest, or else RENTED TO the pa
tronage OF the Mayor Of New York. The
Commissioners of Emigration stand at present
six democrats to four republicans, which seems q
fair enough arrangement; but 1t would appear that
the minority or one or two members of 1t, are not
exactly popular with the leaders OF the demo-
cracy here and the intention Is TO get rid OF them
and make the Board, If 1t be not abolished much
partisan monopoly as possible. Or all the boards
this Of the emigration Is certainly the last which
should excite the ire Of either political party Poll
tics are excluded from its councils and the charac-
ter OF the gentlemen who compose 1t is sufficient
guarantee that everything which humanity and
honesty Of purpose can effect for the emigran,s
landing on these shores Is done.
Tnero are many FcaSOnS-aCcOrOlng 10 MI. kapp,
one OF the Commissioners with whom the HERALD
reporter had q conversation yesterday-why the
Emigration Board should not be tampered with by
the next Legislature. The institution is selrsupport-
ing and costs the State no money; on the
contrary. the State is in debt to it in the snug
sum OF 100000. The readers OF the HERALD viii
remember the controversy that prevailed some
eighteen months ago In reference to the purchase OF
the Quarantine grounds, as TO who We're the real
Wherever that nat money went s certainly Iou1y dii
not 60 into the exchequer Of the Board OF
Emigration, where OF right 1t belonged, as these
grounds, Ostensbly owned by the State, really
the properly OF the Board. IL is sef-suppOrtlng
lnasmuch as the communication tax OF two dollars
and half per emigrant deirays oil the working ex-
penses, and even leaves handsome margin Tor con-
tingencles. No one Of the Commissioners receives
q cent for mis- services and asks none; for ali are
well to do. and the work Of tue Board is to them
labor of love. The name OF Mr.. Verplanck, presi-
dent OF the Board Is enough OF itself to declare the
high character OF the management,
The people OUTSIDE III the State would be very
sorry to see the Board abolished as State lnstltu-
Mayor OF this metropolis. Any emigrant landing
here whose communication tax has been paid be-
comes chargeable to the commissioners at any time
for five years after, within the limits or the State
should he, through sickness or extreme desutution
be forced TO nnd accommodation in any county
grants board ana attendance il sent down here
10 Castle Garden and liqudated by the Commis-
soners. II the Board were local one the
counties OF the state would enjoy NO such
immunity as this from contributing to the support
OF vagrant and forlorn emgrants SO that 1t is not to
Will show any disposition to support measure
which would Increase their local burdens The In
st!tutlon at Castle Garden has after all as much OF
machinery the tide OF emigration is directed in
ever recurring waves over the length and breadth
the country, without jar and without incOnvenl-
ence The States OF Illinois and Iowa should really
feel deep ON interest in It's workings as the State
OF New York. 1t is their depot OF supply for
bone and muscle, and It's benefits are known
throughout the whole broad area OF the West No
friend however, OF this city or State would at the
same time advocate the transfer Of the Emigration
Bureau TO the general government To this city
and to the large-hearted, liberal minded men who
throw the shield Of projection and minister words
OF wise and kindly counsel TO the helpless emigrant
esIabishment % % at Castle Garden. New Yorkers take
gam ni'us are both excluded rom rom It's @ management,
any greater haven of security ana comfort for the
thronging foreigners OF all nations that pass through
It's portals, notalng but want OF means alone would
Emigration Board and hand over the emigrant to
the tender mercies OF such people as formerly met
become Kissing and byword all over the world.
one day last summer over 5000 emigrants got
West the rest strayed in New York or went into
the adjoining States Most OF them had money,
and no inconsiderabe amount was paid by them for
baggage charges. In the matter Of paying for bag
gage emigrants, unless supervision Is exercised BY
the proper authority, very apt to be cheated by
those who perform the duty Of weighing. The
charge for every fifty pounds weight Is one dollar
when the emigrants destination Is at the average
distance OF Chicago. Unscrupulous officials have
sometimes been discovered Overchargng the emf
grant on the weight or his baggage, ana an In
cldent Is related OF how verdant arrival was
called upon by the welgner to place his
knee on the I'D OF a trunk which was in the scales
10 keep 1t from flying open, and how the emigrant
thus engaged was weighed along with his baggage
and charged with the total avOirdupois. Few and
far between the dellnquencies are that mark the
management OF this great haven for the storm tossed
pilgrims OF labor from abroad, IT is easy TO realize
violence it would become IN the hands Of such men
as run the machinery OF elections in this
city. II every emlerant OF the quarter million
that land here annually was overcharged
cheated ont Of the small sum Of four dollars dur
Ing his stay at Castle Garden the total would reach
to put the amount which the sharpers, who hope
some time during the democratic administration to
get control Of Castle Garden, could make OF the
total Of emiRrants landing here In o year. 1t ia
with the abuses which would necessarily creep
into and destroy the efficiency Of the insu.
Commissioners are concerned. For themselves
1t Is source OF no other profit and
satisfaction than that which arises from the faithful
performance OF a tnankless though important and
pregnant public duty. The we'll meaning men Of
botn parties have no fault to ind with the manage
This institution at least should escape corroding
breath Of party for scatters s blessings broadcast
and helps the emigrant, irrespective of nationality
SO think the Commissioners, and after their long ex
perlence of lts workings they should be competent
to decide the good It has accomplished and the vir-
tue which 1t possesses
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