The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-11-11
IMMIGRATION.

Synopsis Of the Report Of the Special
C0mmissioner-Th Great Influx Of
Foreigners - Permanent Sugges-
tiOns for Taking Better Care oi
Them.
Mr.. j. Frederick Myers, of the Sec
retary OF the Treasury's office, some
time ago, under official instructions,
proceeded to Great Britain and Germs-
ny, and subsequently to New York, to
investigate the subject OF immigration
and the proper transportation of i'm
migrants to and within the United
States. In report as the basis OF
greater Governmental care and further
legislation, he places the fact that the
immigration movement, to the average
number Of 250,00O souls per annum, is
not temporary, scarcely fluctuatipg, but
permanent, and the number may reach
100000 for the next twenty years. This
colossal, yet peaceful, peoples move.
ment, which changes thevery character
of the American nation, should become
asubjecto ofcarefully matured legislation.
He has been greatly gratified in find-
ing that the vast masses Of immigrants
are composed of the best and most en-
terprising farmers, mechanics and Ia
borers. 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
average of $l20 per head, an abundance
Of household goods, are in the prime OF
life, rugged, honest, peaceful, industri-
Gus and thoroughly trained in their
callings. He believes, taking all class
es of immigrants, not exceeding four per
centum belong to the dangerous and
criminal elements of society, and not
exceeding one per centum are actual
and convicted criminals. There is,
moreover, quite stream Of return
steerage passengers, who represent to
some extent the disappointed failures
who vainly live without physical exer
tons. He has not been able to obtain
evidence that any Government has par.
doned offenders for other than political
crimes on condition that they emigrate
to the United States; but that in the
absence of all check and watch.
fulness on the part Of our au-
thorities the temptation to do so is
very great and he has no doubt
that criminals recently from prisons do
emigrate. He believes that careful
and not merely mechanical registration
of name, age, condition, &c, and a
reference to home documents, which
every bona fde emigrant carries, would
90 very far toward making it unsafe for
criminals to land upon our shores. He
is decidedly of opinion that the present
steerage system should be greatly mod
fled or abolished; and rnakss- sseges.4
tions for the protection Of emigrants in
railway transportation and advocates
an Emigrant Bureau as a remedy for
the evils incident to steerage immlgra-
ton, and a court Of summary jurisdic-
ton. The comfort OF immigrants would
be greatly promoted if their rights
aboard ship were protected by treaty
with foreign powers. Mr.. Myers con
cludes his report by answering that
part of his instructions as to whether
anything can be done under existing
law to remedy the present evils. lie
recommends:
81. That upon the arrival Of all yes
sells carving emigrants an inspector or
inspectors, speaking as many languages
az possible, certainly German, shall be
sent on board, whose duty it shall be
10 muster the emigrants and ask them
whether they had any grounds Of com
plant, and in case they had any that
seemed to be we'll founded, to make a
memorandum in writing.
"2. TO make a complete diagram ofthe
room occupied by steerage passengers,
measuring it's superficial and cubic clear
space, and alss to ascertain the number
that occupied said space; and further.
to ascertain the quality and quantity OF
food, the means of ventilation and es-
cape
"3. To make a duplicate report tothe
Collector of the Port, who shall furnish
one copy to the Treasury Department
He is OF the opinion that many abuses
would be remedied by the companies
themselves if their attention were Off
ciallv directed to them. Very fire.
ouently the stewards and sui ordinates
are responsible for unwholesome and
badly cooked food and unclean-
illness, while the directors of an
abundant supply. He believes that
IN the absence of further legisla
ton, the official inspection would
have a beneficial effect Lastly, In
asmuch as foreign ship owners have
raised the question whether a captain
of foreign ship can be fined and i'm
prisoned by our Government, for acts
done at sea and lawful under its own
Government, the question Of jurisdic-
ton should be referred to the Attorney
General for examination and advice, so
that, ia case OF an adverse decision,
other remedies may be devised in the
new law"