The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-29
THE MERCANTILE MARINE MIDDLE.
Vessels Still Delayed in Port-seamen Start
ing for the Lakes-What the Landlords
say-"Poor Jack" Nonentity-The
Mystery Of "Due Bills"

The trouble between the Landlords Association
and Captain Duncan, the United States Shipping
Commissioner Of the Port OF New YORK. still con-
tinues. But few vessels sailing under the Ameri-
can Dag are able to proceed to sea on account OF
the disability to provide crews for them. Mer-
chants, shipnasters, sailors and boarding house
masters unite in complaint against the action
taken by Captain Duncan, and universally declare
that the root and branch Of the dilemma has Its
germ in the breast OF the Commissioner who they
say is afraid of losing control OF the funds which
merchants have to advance to cover the duebils OF
the sailors.
Captain tombstone, of the American brig Vir-
gnia courageously states the case 1T at present
stands in q very lucid manner. He speaks from
experience when he says that In nine cases out OF
ten sailor requires to draw payment in advance
In order to obtain funds wherewith to purchase
clothing.
JACK Is NATURALLY MPROvIDENT,
and expends his money directly he arrives In port.
No captain OF ship is going to take man to sea
who only suit, knowing full well that
the poor fellow who has no change OF garb VIII
soon TALL sick in bad weather and become burden
upon his hands. The advance note which Captain
Duncan gives Is, so Captain tombstone claims,
nothing but negotiable promissory note valuable
only in proportion to the present credit or the
drawer. The master, owner or consignee OF q
vessel could issue advance securities just as Wen
as Mr.. Duncan, who processes to "save them the
trouble,n and who is remunerated by the use OF
the money during the interval between the time OF
the deposit and that Of the falling due Of the note"
The landlords, he thinks, are right in their argu-
sonai effects in their possession viii advance them
enough money upon the promissory notes they
obtain on shipping There is probability OF loss
and the landlords do not want to take the risk
recklessly In the HERALD OF Sunday last there
appeared the statement OF Captain Duncan rea.
tive to the matter Subjoned Is the other side OF
cleaned +.
Monahan, the President OF the Landlords Assoca-
ton. Mr.. Monahan resides at the corner OF Cherry
and Catherine streets, and offered to freely state
to the scribe his views OF the present difficulty
Captain Duncan tries to induce the public to
believe that
BOARDING MASTERS ARE THIEVES
and sharks who prey upon sailors. He does this
nor ms own S sses that the
upon mans advance note which Hughes, OF
Market street. very respectable landlord, held,
was q forgery, and he refused to pay it. In course
of time the seaman returned from the West Indies
and testified to having signed 1t in proper form.
Duncan makes money by having sailors advance
REPORTER What use does he make oft
Mr. MoNAmANmi can't say He was s, broker and
II he does he'll want ready cash. for no one on the
street will trust him: Why, sir, he's making big
under q philanthrophic garb; tnes to ho0dwink
kind Christians who have sailors welfare at heart
robbed. Now, III tell you. He's got four sons
acting as deputy commissioners In office already,
each one Of them receiving $4,000 year The
last one who came along was the captain OF u
Liverpool vessel, and he left her to take mp z
quiet berth here which paid him better.
REroRTER-What do the unemployed sailors say
Mr. MoNAHAN-They don't like the law as 1t
stands at oil. They consider 1t a bad copy Of the
British law, and think there is too much cline
juicen about it. They know 1t don't benefit them,
but has been gotten up simply TO
BENEFIT THE DUNCAN FAMILY.
| Now want to call your attention to thing that
often occurs. The skipper OF a ship takes man
whom he has spite against before the Commits
sloner to be paid OF, and he tells Duncan that the
man isn't worth his salt and hts wages ought to
| be locked. Well, Duncan takes sides with the
skipper OF course, and the consequence Is that the
unucky sailor gets barely hall OF the amount he is
| fairly entitled to.
| REpoRTER-Are there many ships still in port
unable to obtain crews on account OF this state o.
| aflalrsf
| Mr.. MoNAHAN-Yes, there are many more than
| can enumerate know several which Will be out
| in the stream on tomorrow's tide and unable tt
sail. There's the Baltic and the Sunrise, both fine
large vessels, Will be delayed for want Of men, This
| GREAT DAnAGE TO AMERICAN SHIPPING MERCHANTS
who want their goods delivered promptly won't
get the best charters and freights. At
this time Of the year there Is always q lack
OF aAmerican sailors In the port OF new York,
for most or them who can raise enough money to
pay their fares to the lakes go west and trade on
the inland waters during the Summer months.
REPoRTER.-Were you arrested on Friday night
when the other landlords were incarceratedP
the way and went and gave bail next
day. Captain Duncan overreacned himself there,
think, and he win find that so strong q
current of feeling is against him that he
will regret taking such hasty and inconsiderate
action. He got mad and caused the arrests out OF
spite because we won't touch his paper. We won't
negotiate his due bills, because we don't think
Wen get paid on time, and he's angry because we
object to allowing him to use money belonging
rightfuily to US for weeks together
This is the case as 1t now stands The landlords
are mostly wealthy men, and they have retained
eminent counsel TO represent them In the courts.
Captain Duncan thinks he has might and right on
his side. and poor Jack" don't care continent
al" about the matter, as he knows that he will
not be benefited by the warfare whatever
the result may be. Merchants who wish to patron
lie native craft by shipping freight by them and
the owners OF vessels flying the Star Spanged Ban
ner those who suffer most, and the longer deci-
sve action in the matter Is delayed the more the
shipping commerce Of America will suffer and the
greater will be the gain Of the foreigner.