The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-25
The Head Money Question and Its
Effects on New York.
How the Commissioners Of Emigration Are
Working Against the Interests Of this Port
What the Steamship Officials Think Of
the Proposed Bil-The Extra Tar
To Be Paid by the migrant
Where Does the Money Got N

or commissioners OF Emigra ton, this question was
stated very fairly, in these words:-"People who
are happy and comfortable as home do not emf
CRATE; the poor and oppressed only, who cannot
md O fair reward for their labor In the land OF
their birth, or who feel themselves obstructed ana
thwarted in their religious or political aspirations,
seek to better their condition by change OF coun-
try" To such rs these, beyond doubt, IL owing
the settlement and development Of the great
West, and to such as these and their desce ndants
is owing In great degree, the triumphs Of the
late war and the consequent preservation Of the
Union. 1t cannot for q moment be gainsaid,
therefore, that any action by private corporations
or legislative bodies which tends in any degree to
retard emigration must initiate severely against
the interests OF the entire nation and particularly
against the interests Of that port or portion of the
country where any
EXTRA AND UNNECESSARY EMBARGO
Is laid on the progress Of the business connected
with or directly interested in the transportation Of
aliens to these shores.
These remarks are called for by bill which is
now before the State Legislature providing Tor an
increase OF the "head money" or Communication
fee, paid by the owners of vessels carrying emf
grants to this country into the treasury Of the city
for the Commissioners Of Emigration.
Previous to 1847 the emigrants were transported
hther chiefly in sailing ships, and, being landed at
some of the docks on the East River front, were
found to be an easy prey to runners, 'scalpers"
and thieves Of all kinds The Legislature, at the
earnest solicitation or many OF the leading citizens
OF this city, passed law creating board Of COM
missioners who should take full charge Of the busl
ness and see that the emigrants were properly
treated cared for II sick or needy, and promptly
forwarded to their chosen destination at the lowest
practicable rates. In order that this might not be-
city system Of communication or
HEAD MONEY!
was established, by which the sum Of 81 was COL
lected for each alien emigrant landed. This was
for the purpose of paying all expenses incurred by
those emigrants who were obliged to remain here,
and entitled the needy TO be cared for during five
years This Communication was raised to 80 80, and
In the course Of few years the Commissioners had
large balance to their credit in the several banks
of deposit In 1870 1t was found that the financial
condition OF the Commission was such as to war
rant reduction Of the "head money" to 81 so, ana
as the Commission at that time passed, like all
other departments, into the power OF the great
dictators and directors OF the local politics il was
found eXpedient to make great show OF economy
in their favor and against their predecessors. The
system OF squandcring which marked the admins
tration Of other departments soon showed ITSELF
however, in the management of Castle Garden. 80
that the commissioners, IN their last report,
estimate that at the end Of the year there
will be deficit OF At least $o3o0o.
The bill now before the State Legislature by
which 1t is proposed 10 create an
INCREASE or THE HEAD MONEY,
as may readily be understood. is one in which
every citizen OF this city ana state is directly ia
tercsted. 1t has hitherto attracted apparently
very little attention in New York, but the citizens
appreciate tue Importance OF the measure and are
getting ready to take advantage OF the conse-
quences should the Legislature be SO short-sighted
or be so blinded from any cause as to pass the bill,
low it to become a law. For the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the opinion entertained by the chief for
enthusiastically and railroad cOmpanies-a re-
porter OF the HERALD called on several OF the prin-
cipal agents for the purpose Of obtaining their
The first agent called upon was Mr.. william
Coverley, junior member OF the firm OF Henderson
!. THE ANCHOR LINE,
plying between this port and Glasgow. Mr.. Cover
ley seemed to be thoroughly az Tnft on the question
OF the general management of the emigrant bust
ness in this city, and expressed himself very de-
cidedly, as may be seen from the following con-
HERALD REPORTER-Mr. Coverev, nave called
to ascertain your Views regarding the effect OF the
bill now before the Legislature, providing for an
increase OF the Communication money for enlgrants.
MR.. COvERLEY-My candid opinion is that 1t Is
against the interests not only OF the steamship
companies, but most decidedly against the interests
Of this city and this State. The people here may
stand It, but the steamship companies win not.
u
now 30 much greater than it was last year that
every extra penny imposed for communication fees
must De paid by the emigrant. There is not the
KEpORTER-The extra dollar provided for 10 this
new bill would: ip your opinion, then be imposed
Mr.. CoyERLEY-Undoubtedl At least on such
OF them as insisted on coming to this city.
REPoRTER.Do the steamship companies intend
to make fight against this bill
Mr.. COvEHLEY-I cannot say but think not. The
matter was spoken Of last December, when we got
tempted, and committee was appointed to look
after the matter. Mr.. Francklyn, OF the Cunard
line, was chairman OF that comraittee. and have
not heard OF any action having been taken so
dare say there has been nothing done, AND prOba-
bly, nothing will be done.
REPORTER-Will the companies let it 60 by de-
iaultP
Mr.. CovERLEY-The companies are now making
very little from the emigrant'traific and you may
be sure that
THE COMPANIES WILL NOT BE AT THE LOSS
OF this extra imposition. The way we shall do will
direct to the West land them at Boston, and let
our steamers come on here with the cargOes. The
Boston and Philadelphia and Baltimore people are
taking advantage OF this matter There are. no
communion fees, and although the facilities for
landing emigrants are not quite as good as they
arc here, the fact that they can be sent to the West
so much cheaper Will tell in their favor. The fare
from Baltimore to Chicago Is So less than from New
PASSED there w be- 81 80 viii u
be exacted in the other Cities and you see 1t will
cost something like
from other cities TO the West than from New York,
and that Is big item for emigrants to consider.
REPoRTER-What necessity do you think exists
to call for this increase?
Mr.. CovERLEY-None at all that can see. We
pay now all that 1t Is worth TO the Commissioners
OF Emigration for keeping all the emigrants who
are thrown on their hands.
MISUNDERSTANDING what percentage OF your emf
grants remains here?
Mr.. CovERLEY-Not more than one-nfth. How
ever, we don't intend to make any more fuss about
the matter; but think yOn will find the steamship
people unit I'm the opinion that this bill will affect
the emigration business OF this port, as well as
the companies
q. The reporter thanked Mr.. Coverley-who, by the
way, Is the type of fine Scotch gentleman, pretty
thoroughly Americanized-and wended his way to
the ONCE Of ft
THE INNAN LINE,
where he found Mr.. NichOlson the passenger agent,
deeply immersed in the business Of the company.
After the usual formalitics the following CONVERSE
ton took place - al a