The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-23
A New and Important Measure
Before Congress.
Proposed National Protection for Imrnigrants'
Comfort and Safety on the High Seas, After
Landing and on Railroads Tri-
ais and Severe Penalties Provided For
Foreign Convicts To Be Sent Back.
Important to Shipping Interests.

OF healthy and Industrious immigrants who lana on
our shores The more We gam in national strength
and prosperity. Strong Inducements are at present
held out to newly arrived foreigners to settle In the
Southern and Western States. Land Is offered on
easy terms, and cordial reception promised 10 all
who desire 70 make their homes away from over
crowded cities Last year Mr. Boutwell, sent to
Europe Mr. J. Fred Myers, CLERK In the Treasury
Department, for the purpose OF making inquiries
relative to the treatment Of immigrants imme-
diatey preceding their embarkation, while on the
high seas and after landing In the United
States. He made report in which he suggested
that bureau Of immigration be established by Con.
gress to take charge Of all matters relating to the
subject General Grant in his last annual Message
recommended some legislation IN regard to the mat
ter and promised to furnish Information required
to show necessity for action on the part OF Con-
gress.
Mr.. Conger's bill provides for new bureau IN the
Treasury Department, to nave charge Of passengers
arriving n the Storage from foreign ports not con-
tiguous to the United States. The communication or
head tax is reduced to 81, instead OF 81, which is
now collected In the port OF New York. All moneys
received go directly into the Treasury Of the United
States, out OF which are to be paid all charges for
maintaining the various Offices agencies. &C.
supervision OF emigrants Is to be carried out by
American Consus at the ports Of departure and
complaints Tor III usage made by . emit
sioners. The whole matter, ii This bill passes,
goes out Of the hands OF State agents and comes
that the Commissioner Of Immigration (head Of the
proposed bureau) shall have power to enter into
Treasury, w" with any existing State Commission
under the prescribed rules and regulations, based
he 81 ana aa'
MISSIONS who desire TO act under the general gov.
eminent. The new Commissioner is 70 be appointed
by the President, by and with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate, and Is to hold office for Jour
years. He Is to be charged, under the supervision
ton Of ali laws relating to Immigration, ana to
nave power to maze rules and regulations. The
clerks, inspectors, agents. &C., as may be neces-
sary. Estimates for the expenses OF the bureau TO
be laid before Congress in the usual manner, and,
until capltat,on tax becomes ayaiiaDls the oarsad
to be maintained by the Treasury. The Commits
rectIy or Indirectly, 10 any railway steamship Or
transportation company, nor In the settlement Of
tracts Of lands. cu,ou
The owners, agents or master Of any vessel con-
yeying foreign immigrants In the Storage TO the
for every statute adult to DO applied to assist the
temporary SICK TO hire or construct proper landing
Accounts be audited by the First Auditor OF the
Treasury and the Commissioner Of Customs and the
1urtner imposition OF which is prohibited. 'Statue
adult" TO signify and include one passenger over
Years, infants less than one year Old not being con-
sidered In the estimate of space elsewhere men,
toned. = i,sSs
UNITED STATES IMMIGRANT AGENTS ABROAD.
Provision Is made for statloning at the ports OF
port from which UPWARDS Of iorty thousand passen
gers may embark annually, an agent whose duty 1t
w4l be to inspect vessels carrying Immigrants
the provisions OF TINS act be complied with; TO give
all necessary information TO emlgrants. and to per-
by the Commissioner OF Immigration. Agents are
required to issue duplicate Certificates stating
to lie given 70 the United States Consul ana the
other mailed to the head Of the bureau. In ports
10000 the Consul to perform duties OF ca igrant
agent and to receive therefor an Increase Of salary
not exceeding $1,000 per annum.
AT the port Of New YORK there are to be appointed
Jour inspectors, acquainted with the German.
each Of the other ports where Immigrants arrive in
large numbers who are TO accompany the customs
age passengers, and muster said imm grants, and
inquire whether any OF them have Just cause OF com.
be reduced to wr@ ana senereS 70 he @
perintendent or Collector OF Customs. and also
70 the head d. Of the bureau 1t y made The
where none are Stationed, the Collector Of customs,
to prosecute all suits in benalf oil cmigrants for
personal damages. United states Commissioners
are 10 have jurisdiction and give summary trial In
all account or i'll treatment on board ship,
baggage, swindling in the exchange 81 money or by
boarding house Keepers, abuse by any person or
or being placed IN IMPROPER or OVER
crowded cars--the jurisdiction OF commissioners
not 70 exceed ane or pena,ty OF 500 IN each case,
g !. sa.ps S.SSr to commit tine defendant until
LANDiSa DEPOT AT NEW YoRK-supERlNTENpENrs
landing depot Is 10 DC established at New YORK
and such other ports as may be designated by the
secretary of the Treasury, who shall appoint at
superintendent OF Emlgration 10 hold ofhce for
four years. The Superintendent may nominate
sucn subordinates, clerks and assistants at such
rates OF compensation as shall be approved and
tablisned by me Secretary Q! the treasury super
Gs eg S Gys %s
II Is made the duty Of superintendenls under the
direction OF the commissioners 70 provide suitable
Sa Ge @ and
erect suitable structures thercon receive all lmml.
the landing Of their Ell, cts; make and preserve an
accurate record VI the name age occupation, BIRTH
against imposition and fraud; and such as DESIRE
IN obtaining employment; provide. at the expense
OF the vessel for the immediate and temporary
necessities OF those who arrive destitute, and iur-
nish such Information and facilities as will enable
immigrants 10 proceed 10 their respective places Of
manner; aud to enable them to make contracts anu
other suitable arrangements with railroad ana
transportation companies Tor the conveyance on
the most advantageous terms, specifying particu-
larry that comic rraDe and commodlous cars shall
IN all cases be provided, and that immigrant Trans
shall be run at no less than twenty miles
per hour and without unnecessary detention,
and that managers, officers and agents shall
pay due regard TO the safety, health and comfort or
immigrants. The superintendent may issue per-
mits 10 suitable persons 10 convey passengers IRON
vessels to tile LANDING depots and also TO persons
who may have legitimate business with the landing
or forwarding OF Immigrants, the conveyance OF
their luggage and other purposes OF necessity and
convenience. No person without permit can soiIclt
Immigrants for any object whatever.
IMPROVED RAILROAD TRAVELLING.
railroad companies who carry immigrants must
NE ponds win the mead oil The bureau. Proper pas.
senger cars provided with stove ana fire when
needed, and with supply OF clean water for drink.
Ing and washing together with wafer closets and
Ventilation, are only TO be used All competinQ
! lines that have furnished proper bonds shall be
allowed 10 sell tickets over their lines but not TO
| places by circultous and unusual roules Steam
boats and canal boats TO furnish the same accom-
| modaton as TO space and food as ocean Steamers
| II any railroad or transportation company violate
the provisions 0, the act the license to sell tickets