New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-12

PRICE FOUR CENTS
OUTRAGES ON SEAMEN.
HOW THEY ARE swINDLED IN PORT.
A SYSTEM OF ROBBERY BY SHIPPING AGENTS AND
| BOARDlNG-TOUSE KEEPERs-EMIGRANT ROB
| BERs OCTDOSE-rnE MERCHANT MARINE
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES LAWS DlsREGARDED-
| GENERAL SHIPPING ACT DEMANDED-A
CHAPTER FOR CONGREssMEN.
There il pending before the Committee on
Commerce. in Congress. having been earned from
last session, an act entitled the Shipping Commission
sioners bi" which is omineRty desirable. In tho
interests Of commerce. that attention should at DO
directed 1t was unanimously approved by the former
Committee on Commerce, and would have been favor.
ably reported had been reached. Il win DO brought
up before the House ct early day, and immediate
action upon IL asked by the merchants who
suffer in consequence Of the failure to pass It,
1t is intended ami Ia calculated to benefit
merchant marine service by raising the standard OF
1t will take out Of the hands OF the lowest
keepers sailors boarding and shipping
agents power detan vessels In port for want Of the
crews which only they furnish. and pace the duty
of supplying and licensing sailors under the drec-
ton Of Government Commissioners. It will NO longer
leave the Of merchants ct the mercy OF the mutt
which these shipping agents place upon them
~
rupting influences ashore which demOralize and mako
many Of them worthless shIpbOard.
While the wrongs inflicted upon the great shipping
interests Of New-Y0rk by the Health Officer the Port
Wardens, and the Harbor Masters have engaged the
attention Of TIE TRIBUNE for some time past. these
| outragcs upon sailors have not been forgotten The
injuries inflicted upon capital by public officials not
heinous than the robbery Of icndcs' sailor and
tho blame in both rests with the Government anu
the owners concerted action Of tho latter. with
the support Of proper legislation at Washington. would
| correct many Of the evils which to-day hArrnss
mercantile marine. Tho present State for tho
protection Of practically dead letter all
find who have to 1t for justice. The best legal
ability In the city, sustained by the Scanens Friend
Society," has utterly failed obtain under this law the
conviction Of the most fragrant offenders.
The sailor Is generally deprived Of the choice Of
q clearinghouse by the runners who, IN gangs board
tho vessels in the bay, and with that rivalry which Is
supposed to characterize the industrious agents who
knock their men down and engage them before they
to their senses" every man, with or with
out hts consent Almost invariably tho sailor loses all
money received for the through the robbery
of the low boarding house hircngs he then loscs hs
advance money. which 10 swallowed up in the charges
for services never rendered. finally he loses the right
to select his next voyage for the
acting Q shippingagent, sends him wherever he
peascs.
SAILOR BoARDNG-BoCsRs.
The low and boarding houses to be found along the
streets in the vicinity the North ami East Rivers unin
vng they present many attractions for the sailor
after long cruise and the dreary life shipbolrd HIS
first feeling freedom from the confinement Of his floating
prison makes him rash IN the selection Of lodgings, 20
gtteing signboard and the rcdcuttained WIN
dOws Of tho combined taroom and parior easily enre
him. There Ia show Of hospitality, surface appear
ance Of comfort air OF freedom about the place. which
promise present qualification Although the houses on
which notices displayed that sailors entertained
generally not the ccanest or the most pleas
nnsy i to- one who Ia. Just uished long
voyage II the sailor endured the damp and smoke OF
@ na S with . to Sc his for as days
II twenty and boys could board and lodge In the
confined place he has just Quilted he will not grumbe
upon being put into the containing ak
which at might Is pointed out to hi For to 50
spirit: down." an inducemcnt which has very great
The appearance Of all the low sailor boarding houses,
pee s1 io
terror Of the building generally painted dull lead
ss how r. $s$ss Su: HsS:
with the p,Sg1stSSE nso5DSS
s seS ns: 81 wi'S
hs ss HG. s "S
or Me:T the Flowing Sea Inn" ask share Of sailor conn.
dencc with presumption which ne brazen as Its hos
RRta s and
a p 5ms
either with sand or at least covered with hemp:
being placed in the basement, and in Temperance
houses the bar Ia approached divers my sterons
nn%er s class The
ceiling Of the Is oIe ttrng mass u tissue
prdand the
adorned With prints representing battles by and
the sS ~
trns bo NJ fha w at6e
slippers and scw-gaws from the North. are upon the
wn DC 70.
delicate trophies from the Orient Each picture,
ike eomte has its story Often Of
Although the sailor regularly freights bus chest with
Ee Is seldom 50 adroit as to smusae
his through the boarding to their destnac
S1 q tie Se:,s~. ,s them :
war fo.hion. Which sraces the top Of the bar 10
claimed * and Ds and a on s ts
other chubby little boy living In some quiet village humid
e sa.hers desk marks the wrong time Is ashamc
surrounded with 80 much fraud and filth, TO record the
truth
The bar.keepcrs and porters of the sailor boarding.
houses have by uninportant part TO play Ia
tho drama. Holding Tenis positions they do, they
are found BY the propreors be Of excellent service In
,ngaatng themselves into tho sailors confidence and
frequently where the landlord utterly powerIcss 10
induce the slor drink the porter will carry the day.
Among themselves they therefore known ~
"ackaIs," name most httingy chosen The arrival Of
new boarder Is followed by the usual Of intOx
icaon and the apparent disregard Of all expense the
part Of the landlord When at last the sailor retaining
to be shown to his bed, the "iackai" takes him in
charge, From tAst moment the , landlord holds
money then In tho possession of the sailor
After ascoudns several flights Of dirty rickety stairs
the ledger Is shown into small, dark ROOM generally
unoccupicd II any ese be In tho ROOM be 10 either
- sfaue0 Had NV linssor lo ia