The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-30
Tho Abuses Of the Atlantic Steerage
Passage.

Passage.
On Monday last we printed communion
ton from one of the passengers who came to
this country on board the steamship Erin on
her latest voyage to these shores Editorially
we commented, as we felt bound to do, on the
letter of our correspondent The letter was
statement Of grievances which no newspaper
protesting to have any interest in the welfare
of the general public could refuse to publish.
Our editorial remarks were based on the sup
posed justice Of the complaints made in the
letter We gave full opportunity to the Ma
tional line to contradict the statements made,
and we assured the general public that we
meant to prosecute this steerage question to
the bitter end
We print this morning another letter, which
justifes Mr.. McDonnell's complaint, and in
which we are asked not to allow the matter to
rest until the rights Of the thousands who,
through the Atlantic steerage passage, on
nually seek these shores, are properly secured
and protected. Our correspondent shows
and we ask our readers to read and ponder
over this fresh communication on the ques-
tion-that the Erin violated certain laws on
her late voyage, so far as steerage passengers
were concerned; but he is forced to admit
that the laws were so skilfully evaded that
there is no case against the company Mo-
rally the company is guilty; legally it
has only skilfully used its opportunities.
Our correspondent quotes the laws of the Brit
ish Emigration acts of 1856 and 1868; but
while he makes it plain that the spirit of
these laws was violated by the Erin on her
late voyage, we are forced to admit with him,
that the limit of privilege was not exceeded.
If Mr. Mcdonnell Is correct, however, it is
undeniable that, morally, the National line is
much at fault. On this side there is no law by
which the unfortunate foreign emigrant,
shipped in other than English ports, can find
redress. The few who embarked at London
on board the Erin have court of appeal.
The eight hundred who came on board at
Havre have no law on their side and no court
before which to appear and make their COM
plant. Such state of things ought not to be
modern civilization.
What is to be done? The emigrant must
be cared for. If the laws under which they
leave their own home and seek the shores of
the stranger are defective, the laws must be
altered and improved. We call upon the
British government to consider this case of
the Erin, and to reconsider and amend the
emigration laws. No government can submit
to such dishonor as is implied in Mr.
McDonnells charge The carrying trade
across the Atlantic is mainly done in British
bottoms If Great Britain wishes to keep
hold Of that trade her laws must be SO
amended and adapted to existing necessities
as not to offend the common sense Of the
general public. England, however, is not
only to blame. France and Germany are also
to blame. The government of the United
States, moreover, is not wholly guiltless.
When the emigrants reach these shores they
become our care. IF the laws under which
they are brought here are not what they ought
TO be. it is the business and duty of our gov
eminent to speak out and to insist on some
international arrangement by which the poor
man as we'll as the rich will be able to reach
this land of freedom with q reasonable amount
of comfort. II we are correctly informed.
both Great Britain and Germany are willing
to enter into some such arrangement with the
government at Washington. We should be
sorry to think that the government at Wash
ington is indifferent to this very important
matter.