The Portland daily press., 1872-11-16

ceedings of the previous meeting were read by
the Secretary. The presence of Prof. Pierce
in town was announced. A vote was passed
increasing the number of the committee to con-
fer with the Harbor Commissioners in relation
to the condition of the harbor, and Messrs. d.
w. Clark, John Porteous and E. G Willard
| were appointed.
| Mr.. Haskell then reported from the commit
tee to consider the subject of head money, as
follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Board Of
! Trade:
Your committee to whom was referred the
subject of the collection of head money from
| alien passengers, ask leave to present the fol-
| lowing report:
The attention of the public generally appears
to be directed at this time to the welfare of
immigrants Your committee notice that the
general government is making efforts to secure
the proper protection in person and property to
IMMIGRANT passengers on their way to the
United States. The State and city of New
York, as well as charitable societies generally
are interesting themselves in protecting immi-
grants from abuse by officers and crews of YES
sells employed in their conveyance to this coun-
try. and impositions and extortions after
their arrival. We are also pleased to notice
that the National Board of Trade have had
this matter under consideration at their recent
session in New York, and after full discussion
unanimously adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That all capitation taxes collected
from or upon immigrants whether imposed
directly or indirectly, with or without color of
law. are odious and unjust and ought to be
abolished
Your committee is informed that our city is
one, OF only two OF three in the country, ex-
acting this tax. This custom applies onlv to
immigrants arriving by aoater while we well
come with open arms the thousands arriving by
rdM This discrimination operates unfavorably
TO our CITY, and steamships making this their
port of entry. 1t is desirable to retain the line
OF steamships now running to this port and to
encourage new lines, which our extending rail-
way communications seem to demand. Wis
dom certainly dictates a line of policy equally
liberal as that of rival cities striving to monop-
|. olize this important trade. Your committee
would therefore recommend the adoption of the
following resolution:
Resolved, that this Board present this subject
to the consideration of the Mayor and Alder
men, and earnestly but respectfully request
them to discontinue the collection of capitation
taxes Tor head money! from immigrants, be-
lieving the same to be impolitic oppressive and
inconsistent with the advancing civilization of
the age. CHAs. H. HASKELL
CHAs. p. KIMBALL,
CHAs. j. MORRIS,
Committee
Mr.. Anderson then made suggestion that
as the tax seriously affects our trade with the
Provinces, and that Canadian shippers are in
clined to pass by Portland and go to Boston on
account of this very tax, this argument should
be brought to bear in the resolution
An animated discussion arose. Mr.. Fobes
reading copy of the city ordinance and argu-
ing that the tax takes the place of bond not
to draw upon the charity of the city for three
years. The tax is not a legal one and is only
submitted to as petty annoyance which it
takes too much trouble to obviate. Now, as
Boston has removed the tax, the tendency of
immigration is to that port, and the loss falls
upon stockholders in the Portland lines. The
amount collected is about $4,000, of which sum
$40 is paid to the visiting officer for each visit
The tax belongs to the days of toll bridges and
turnpikes, and should die with them.
Mr. Farmer wished to amend the resolution
by instructing the Board to memorabilia the
Legislature to abolish the tax, and to ask the
city government to do the same.
Gov. Washburn strongly advocated Mr.. Far
mer's amendment, stating that streams of i'm
migration were pouring in from from all quar-
tiers of Europe, and it would be policy for Port
land to bring them to this port. The reproach
was cast upon our city by foreign emigrant
shipping ports, that Portland derived her capt.
tai solely from sponging emgrants.
Mr.. Kimball reviewed the cause of the agita-
ton about the matter, and concluded that it
would be better for Portland itself to remove
the tax.
Mr.. Clark stated that in conversation with
some of the city authorities the opinion was
expressed by them that the Board of Aldermen
had power to repeal the tax. He related an
instance where an emigrant steamer paid bills
for the sickness of one of its passengers who
landed at this port, notwithstanding the tax
had already been paid.
A general discussion followed The opinion
being expressed that the city could take the
bond against pauperism in place of the tax.
An instance was related of Portland immi-
grant going to New York, becoming insane, be-
| ing sent back to this State and becoming State
paupe1, tho he ad money paid establishing his
claim in this city,
Mr. Hersey thought the tax wholly unconsti-
tutional and illegal. He was anxious to know
why the city should discriminate between
from passengers on the European & North
American Railway.
Mr.. Jose made the point that the increase o.
alien passengers would not benefit Portland,
for few of them remain to increase the bust
ness or population of the city. If ten thousand
passengers arrive here. Portland is responsible
for their pauperism until their residence is es-
| tablished. Boston has abolished the tax with
| the view of bribing the passenger lines.
| Mr.. Washburn denounced the tax as in effect
Selling the alien by the throat and compelling
him to disgorge, The line of argument adj
vanced for the continuance of the tax would'
if put in practice, make Portland desert and
her people reproach The Allan's have
been offered strong Inducements by the Vermont
Central and Boston roads to transfer their line
to that port Let us keep it here if we can. 1t
is necessary to the honor and prosperity of
Portland that the tax should be abolished.
MI Farmer brought the discussion back to
| the starting point, from which it had widely
wandered, by stating that the city cannot take
action until the State laws are repealed.
Mr.. Haskell stated that the statutes provided
that the city might abolish the tax if the steam
ers gave bond to provide against aliens becom-
ing city paupers.
Mr.. Jose stated that he did not oppose mod
ifcation of the city ordinance, but wished to
| lh"uSoi@eO " Ho'CibCHO uihkips oHut
ton practicable.
The debate rambled on, growing wider and
wider in its scope, until it was brought to a
head by Mr.. Rich, who moved the passage Of
the resolution. and it was passed Mr.. Rich
theu moved committee to report the resolution
to the City Government, and Messrs. G. J.
Morris, c. p Kimball, G. w. Woodman, CIV.
True and Israel Washburn Jr. were made that
committee
The resolution offered by Mr.. Farmer was
referred to the committee. The resolution
reads as follows:
That this committee, in behalf of this Board
memorabilia the Legislature of Maine to repeal
all State laws upon this subject, and that said
COMMITTEES request the City Government tC
memorabilia the Legislature to also repeal said
State laws; provided the committee find it le
gally necessary.
Adjourned.
The Coon Hunter at Lttlefield & Wilson'S
wishes to inform the argus that the coon that
put in an appearance on York street Wednes
day night, was not that 'same old coon ;neithel
was it so much of coon when caueh
as he supposed it was, but upon examination
he proved to be "Liberal Republican, tn,
first one that has put in an appearance sine