Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-11-17
Transportation Of Immigrants.

10r The purpose OF aScerJalnlnS Tile
character of the emigrants, the ac-
commodations furnished by emil
grant ships and the treatment
which the emigrants receive upon
the passage, and to ascertain whe,h-
er any changes can be made by leg
islation or regulation to facilitate
and encourage the emigration OF
such persons as will make good cit
liens of the United States.
In pursuance ofthese instructions,
Mr.. Meyers visited Great Britain
and Germany, and the report sub
mitted is the result of his obserya-
tons.
He places the average annual i'm
migration to this country from En-
rope at 100000 souls, and estimates
that it will increase to upwards of
100000 per annum for the next
twenty years. In regard to the
character of the immigrants, lie
says:
81 have been greatly gratifled in
finding that the masses of immi-
grants are composed Of the best
and most enterprising farmers, me-
chanics and laborers. 1t is true,
the great majority are not rich, nor
do they belong to the professional
classes, but they generally possess
some means ESTIMATED at an ave-
rage of sl2O per head), and album
dance Of household goods, are in
the prim, Of life, rugged, honest,
peaceful, industrious and thorough
ly trained in their callings."
He says, that taking all classes of
immigrants, not to exceed four per
cent. are of the dangerous and Grim
inal classes, and not exceeding one
per cent. are actual and condemned
criminals, neither was he able to
obtain any evidence that any gov
eminent has pardoned offenders for
other than political crimes on con-
dition of their emigration to the
United States.
Mr.. Meyers is of the opinion that
the present system of crowded
steerage transportation should be
greatly modified or abolished. Its
effect upon the comfort, health and
morals Of the emigrants is comment
ed upon with severity, and the
remedy suggested is the establish
ment Of lines Of American steamers
of the latest models, with airy,
roomy and commodlous second
cabin accommodations for emf
grants, with a government premium
of $40 for each passenger carried.
This would greatly augment emil
grafton, and compel competing lines
to provide better accommodations
The internal transportation of i'm
migrants by railroad also receives
the attention of Mr.. Meyers. The
railroads not only pack the emil
grants into slow or "extra trains, !"
but hold themselves responsible for
no particular time, and the emigrant
with wife and children is compel
led to take his chances, live upon
the hard benches in springless cars
many days at his own expense, often
without fire or water, subject to the
neglect or brutality of employees,
who care nothing for the comfort
or necessities Of foreigners" who
cannot even be understood. Mr..
Meyers pertinently suggests that If
the government makes deductions
for the failure of mail-trains, it
ought to provide legal remedy for
the poor cmigrant. He also calls
attention to the exorbitant charges
imposed upon the cmigrant for
extra baggage. While no notice is
taken Of the trunk Of the ordinary
passenger weighing less than $50
pounds, the baggage of the emf
grant is weighed and every pound
above 80 charged for at more than
express rates.
Mr.. Meyers recommends the cs-
| adjustment Of an Immigrant
bureau ander the Treasury Depart
mcnt, and also police court OF
summary jurisdiction for the pro-
lection Of the emf grant from inpo
sition and the speedy redress of his
VIE ngs; it's jurisdiction extending
to swindling i'll exchange, or by
boarding house keepers, or viola
tons Of contrac. by railroads. II,
also recommends the appointment
of government inspectors whose
duty it shall be to board emigran
ships on their arrival, and question
the immigrants regarding an.
grounds of complaint, to cxamin
the accommodations, quality of food
means of ventilation and escape
&C., and make duplicate reports o
the same to the collector of III
port and Treasury Department.
The report brings to the motto
of the government in succinct form
some Of the wrongs and imposition
inflicted upon the poor emigran
+ seeking our shores, and its human
T recommendation should rcceiy
the early attention of the law-mak
ing power.
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