The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-31
4 GOVERNMENT HOME FOR SEAMES.
It's Feu.Iatlity-H History aud Description Of
the seamen's Homo In Calcutta East


It's s.Istity-tIistery aud Descriptisn Of
The seamen,s Homo In Calcutta East
Indies.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
IL has long been q matter or deep concern and
solicltude on the part OF those interested IN the
welfare seamen generally. not only as to the best
means 70 be employed by which their morale may
be improved, but Also II in possession OF those
means, what steps, iniLatory in their character,
would seem to be most necessary 10 take TO bring
about tins happy result and thus place them as
class in position as to be- Ia measure, secure
against the degrading and pcrnlcioas influences
with which they are continually surrounded while
shore. That the present system or, rather, want
OF system. prevailing on shore anu having for It's
purpose the accommodation and protection OF sea-
men, is not mt all calculated TO promote these ends,
but the contrary, as experience has shown to be
subverslve OF Them facts which It were folly to
question. Seamen, then, have no home They
want home to begin with-a nome protective in Its
character, domestic In Its retirement, and
around which Will reyove and cluster In
nuences OF such q nature for good as will
endear II to them. 1t were idie to refer TO what
are termed seamen's boarding houses as at
present constituted, and TO tell us mat they
the embodiment or all these requirements Tor tue
care comfort and protection OF seamcn. Those who
are able 10 speak from experience, and they are
ieSiOI, kucW W INC COutrut1. Auc} kuoW, al uut
too well, by sad aud painful experience. what they
have from time to time endured and suffered
through and by reason Of them. OF rather through
and by reason Of their heartiess ana mcrcenary
keepers and they deem 1t not unfair to predict that
the time Is not far distant when. should they still
be allowed to exist now, they viii be stunned by
all wel-hnktng seamcn. But we viii assume
for argument sake what is not the fact, that
the reverse OF this picture De true and thaAthe
mems boarding houses as al present constituted
and conducted are every thing that most be
desired so far as encvocncc, order, decoIum and
all the other lesser virtues concerned, and then
the shades OF o Webster or Walker would, if pos
sble for nem TO do arise from their graves II Tor
no other purpose than to cxpunge from the vocab.
ulary OF the English language hits play upon words.
And this now brings me to the important ques.
ton. Wlll not the government take this matter in
hand and establish an institution OF the character
named above for the protection and Advancement
OF the interests OF its scamenf Inc feasibility or
such a project or undertaking under our govern
ment can scarcely ADMIT Of question or reasonable
doubt, more especially when we come 10 consider
tna apart from the fact that 1t VIII be good pay
ing investment pecuniariIy, 1t VIII also have the
eject to place under the control OF the governments
very large percentage OF the seamen IN our large
cities. such an institution has been long regarded
great public necessity by very many VINO have
and ably upon our national wants, and It Is to them
as to others, matter or much surprise that the
government has not rs yet moved In the matte r.
AS illustrative or my own views upon this subjcct,
] VIII say that 1t is proposed now as an acs OF
public policy that the government naugurate meas
curing the present session OF Congress for the
erection the city OF New ork, IN a location con-
tguous to the shipping interest OF that city, large
coInnodiou5 building capable OF accommodate
ing-say from two TO three Thousand guests.
bo dion
ernmcut Homo Tor Scamen;' let 1t be un.
der Tine Inc guidance. direction and supervision
this purpose; let ali male domestics ana others
ployed Tor the active duties OF the Institution be
furnished 1t by the navy itself from among those
whose age, experience, illness and length OF scryt
tnde may point out as qualified monuments Tor the
various positions that Will be necessarily created;
lett building be so constructed TO embrace ali
Inc requirements necessary Tor the comfort, con-
the EFFORT VIII be crowned with the same success
that Is noticeable IN connection with Similar instu-
by way OF making further exposition OF my
views upon the subject OF home Tor scamep, 40
,6an by instancing and giypg to the reader bret
n ns0S p a Existence IN the CITY Of Us
cutta, IN the East indies. THIS worthy institution,
ceived lis corporate existence and went INTO active
operation Ia the year 1885, under government
came apparent In consequence OF the British gov
ernment assuming absolute control OF, her East
India provinces lne trst question that arose was.
erected and maintaineug After interchange OF
views by the authorities, involving considerable
portancc OF tie measure, 1t was nnaly re-
solved that the government be mcmorlaized
TO furnish the requisite amount 10 set the
project In motion. This eventually acccded TO-
II tine governmeru receiving indcnlniiying bOnd
for its loan rcserving IN addition 10 this security
certain rights and privileges in connection with the
operations OF the enterprise As said before, TINS in
great was The popularity which it SOON after ac
CURED that II proved the downfall III a compare
known as scamcns boarding house Keepers outside
VI II, thus eicctuaiiy Gearing the neghbofh hoods
pestiferous and dangerous members OF East Indian
society; for be 1t known that these vuurcS are to be
any particular country locality; wherever Their
prey Is the seaman there they Will assurcdly be
arrangements and management OF this noble insti-
tution with the benefits resulting thcrcirom to sea-
Tue building in the first place, is suiiicieniiy COM
modous 10 accommodate two thousand Yuests, with
everything calculated to improve the PHYSICAL and
SET apart for library and reading ROOM wnere all
INC daily papers, including several thousand vol
to improve their minds by reading and study 1hcro
are also rooms, passages anu ground, set apart Tor
the diversion and amusement OF the men, such as
bowling anu sklttlc alleys, parade grounds as also
. gymnasium. These opportunities Tor recreation.
entertainment and amusement, presenting them
sc,vcs ~ they dc, within the precincts OF the Home,
are not lost upon the men, rs some convcrsant
with The character OF might at first be iIl-
cllned 10 suppose. neither arc they valued lightly ny
thcin since they may constantly be seen INDUCING
III these sports, games and Other physlca, intel
lcciuai treats that are provided by the Home
for thcm. Besides It has the effect to keep
them Indoors, where, surrounded rs they arc,
by influences only Tor good, they have less CD.
portunlty. at least, 10 swcryc from the well
beaicn pata OF vlr;uo and correctness.
The chapc, which Is also u part and parcel OF the
buidi ng, Is another large room. capable seating
comor tabiy 400 persons: adjoining wnich is an.
other room OF similar lrcportious, which Ia used
lecture room or Tor DiUe classes. THESE rooms
are devoted exclusively 10 tic purposes or the men,
and many, oy irequent attendance upon the lee
lures there gwen regularly twice week, are led
over by the sun small yoicc' reminding them or
Their duty 10 God an': thus become glad OF the OPP
portunity presented by the existence OF the chapel
In the Home 70 oner up daily to the Giyer OF all
Good their orlson's III ihanxfulncss for all the many
be5si igs vouchSae1 10 them. Another feature or
the institution ~ large AMI spacious bathroom
and lavatory, combining "a swimming batn, which
Affords uIcn amusement 10 hundreds of men and