The New York herald., 1873-10-18
POOR JACKS TRIBULATIONS,

Mate OF the Ship St. Charles a Fugi-
tive from Justice for Brutality-The
Shanghaed Crew of the ship Baltic,
from New York, Composed of Tailors,
BARRIERS, Shoemakers, Carpenters and
Grocers, Doin. Duty Before the Mast.
The Alta California Of the lOtn reports that on
the arrival Of the ship st. Charles at that port,
from New York, on the 9th, John Wright, second
officer OF the ship, abandoned his vessel, and is
now fugitive from the laws and from justice.
The st. Charles is commanded by Captain Smalley,
and Is 1S9 days from New York. When she cast
anchor in the stream sailor landlords swarmed
aboard, and some OF the crew told them that they
had been cruelty treated during the voyage by the
second mate.
conversation with the crew, who are still on
board the St. Charles, shows that the second mate
is a brutal characLer-a monster, who would have
been Harris, or perhaps worse, If not restrained
by the Captain. They say that Wright beat them
almost daily from the time they started seaman
named Houston, when first struck by Wright,
made complaint to the Captain, who told the sec
ond mate that he must not repeat IL. The mate,
complaiLed TO the Captain he would punish him
more severely. The threat had its effect, and
Houston was punished every day thereauer. An
other seaman named Elston was also kicked and
cuned BY the mate, Wright at his pleasure.
third seaman, named Frese. said he was
kicked while on the fore yard arm. Quite
the day the ship leit New York the second
mate said he would like TO see him in the blue wa
act, however and says he was not abused any
more. The general testimony is that the whole
crew suffered more or less by the brutality oil the
man Wright.
Captain smalley having permitted second mate
Wright to escape, he should be responsible ior his
acts before the law. About a month ago the North
ern Light entered port with the second mate, Shie
III irons, because he shot at one OF the se8men He
was turned over to the United States authorities
and Is now in State Prison. Captains should either
surrender their brutal officers, when guilty OF
crime, or hold themselves responsible before the
laws.
The same issue or the Alta contains the following
which should be Immediately Investigated by the
proper authorities The snip Baltic from New
York, arrived IN port on Wednesday, with crew
OF landubbers in the forecaste aud grateful cap
tain on the quarter deck. The Baltic left New York
for san Francisco witG fair prospect OF reaching
any point but the place OF destination. Her crew
was composed OF material foreign to the ocean,
Some could manipulate the shears and goose,
others the jack plane others the awl and apstone,
others could package tea and sugar IN papers to
SUIT and others still could exercise all the dipo
macy OF distinguished statesmen 10 efiect the sale
OF yard OF calico. yard OF counter would suit
them better tnan a mile OF bowline. The Captain
Of the Baltic had among his tars. tinkers, talors,
BARRIERS, brewers, bakers, cobOlers, carpenters,
brogue makers, clerks and greengrocers.
There is at present fierce struggle waged In
New York between the Shipping Commissioner and
the sailor landlords. They each striving to
tain the mastery. Inc landlords want Jacks
money, and Uncle sam wants to protect him IN his
rights. The captains and consignees, or many OF
them, favor the landlords because they proit by Ii,
and It often happens that captain is glad TO get
crew ITOm any source. Inc captain OIL the Baltic
was treated to outside the Shipping Com
missioner's ONCE every one OF whom was shang-
haed But the Captain proved TO be an exception
to the average OF his class. He Is a humane man,
who saw what he had to deal with and measured
his conduct accordingly. He did not himself ILL
treat or abuse his men or permit any OF his officers
to do so. He taught them without the application
OF Delaying pins. When the drowsy creatures
awoke from the stupor into which they had been
thrown by the drugs administered to them by the
landlords their surprise can be imagined. They
were at sea; they were on q new territory. OF which
the captain was king, and from which there was
no side door or means OF escape IL was not neces-
sary to tell the Captain their story; he knew and
appreciated IL.
When the Baltic entered port the facts about the
shipping OF the crew became known, and, like
sensible fellows, the shanghaed are now looking
around them for damages. They have made com
pialnt 10 tue United states Attorney, and Mr. Nor
row mas their case now In hand. That shanghalng
.s a crime there can be no doubt, but this Is not
me question which enters most deeply into the
case. It's developments Will attract general in
neaest az ~ Is one OF vast importance to COM
merce II the captain OF q ship who takes on
Doaru a shan2haed crew In New YORK can be pun
ished and held Tor civil damages upon his arrival
mere we Will have less shanghaed crews and lever
acts OF cruelty to record.