New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-22
PROTECTION FOR SEAMEN.

NEW MOVEMENT TO COMPEL THE SAILOR
BOARDING-IIOUsE KEEPERS TO TAKE OUT
LICENsES-EFFECT OF TIE TRIBUNE's Ex-
POSURES
The revelations published in THE TRIBUNE In
regard the treatment Of keepers Of sailor the
boarding houses have already produced beneficial results
The American seamans Friend Society and the Board OF
Licensing Commissioners about TO mako another
effort to compel these keepers to take out
license which the Of March, 1885, requires all such
they keep such houses The
law has been virtually dead letter since the nrst year
after s enactment In 1906 about half Of the propretors
Of these houses applied for and obtained licenses Com
plant having been made against tho others who had
failed comply with the law. they were taken before
the Police Justices, but 10 spite OF the efforts OF
the Commissioners to have them punished, they
were promptly discharged. Many Of these houses
are In tho Fourth and Seventh Wards, and
as the propretors controlled large number Of votes,
their influence was OF such moment to Tweed and the
magistrates that their conviction impossible. Capt
Duncan President Of the Seamans Friend Society," had
several interviews with Attorney GarVn, who
assured him that il indictments found by the Grand
Jury against thc he would all his influence to pro-
cure tho conviction and punishment Of the Offenders
The captain succeeded in finding witnesses to many OF
ourages that perpetrated the seamen, and
prevailed upon them at different times to 90 before the
jury but the peculiar character Of that body OF
men was such that in not single instance was an indct-
ment found The Is that out of l0 boarding
houses at present successful operation but two have
obtained licenses
The history Of the outrnges practced the seamcn,
published In THE TRIBUNE the effect which the publ
has already produced the persons whose course
of conduct 1t revealed and the general interest it has
awakened in tho community on tho subject, have en-
holdcncd the Commissioners TO make another EFFORT 10
execute the law and punish the offenders They have
therefore warned every clearinghouse landlord that
license must be procured, and that neglect TO comply
with the law will be at oDco brought 70 the notice OF tho
courts and they feel assured that magistrate, In the
fear popular ndgnatOn excited by THE TRIBUNE
revelations will dare to discharge persons guilty OF
keeping boarding houses in defiance OF law.
bill copied after tho British Shipping act and now
pending before Congress, WILL il passed. act AS an aid to
the State law, 1t prohibits Kidnapping protects the
seaman from runners and crimps" and In other re-
provides the better protection OF the sailor at
sea and in port This law provides heavy penalty for
shangIaiug. Shipping Commissioners are to DO ap-
pointed under It, by the Judges OF tho United States
Circuit Courts before whom all accused OF VIC
atng the provisions Of the act will be brought These
Commissioners, being appointed by the United stitro
Judges thus renewed far possible from poitl
cal inf and vcssitudes, will he empowered to
look after interests OF the sailor and act as his coun
sci when suffered injury at the hands Of officers OF
vessel. house Keepers and will also make
II their duty that HE duly brought before
the courts for action
The fall Of Tweed a serous blow TO the Keepers OF
the sailors boarding houses but the exposures made In
IHL TR!BuNE have affected them su more seriously.
The police of the procincts In which they mainly reside
report that every night the were pub
scd they council In one OF the houses
that abound ia the Seventh Ward and deliberated upon
the best course pursue In they called
TO pass the Of examination and obtain licenses
Most Of them to think the better course Will be to
comply with the provisions OF the law give bonds for
their good behavior and pay the go license fec which
the law reaures while few of the worst characters
counsel resistance and defiance OF the law. They are
appareuly ignorant OF the fact that there Ia bill
pending in Congress which Will cause them to be brought
before courts where political influence will avail nothing
TO shield them from the punishment they deserve
The opinion seems 10 prevail among the members Of
the Commission and the police that the effort at reform
to be made under the provisions OF the State law will
bring about the result 1t Is believed that such
pressure has been brought bear upon the boarding
house Keepers that the better portion will apply FOR
licenses and that having had to pay $50 in order to OBJ
tain license those securing them will become Jealous
Of those who Ia ve complied with the law and will
assist the Commissioners their efforts 10 ferret out aud
puuish the guilty.