The New York herald., 1873-12-14

building, fronting both on Cherry and Water
streets, containing reading room, large public
hall, a savings bank and other ofiices, cost
ing altogether over ll0,oO0-the Sailors Ex-
change-an enduring monument Of New York's
grateful appreciation OF the serv Ices OF our sailors.
also OF the liberaty OF her merchants. All this
has been owing largely to the Industry and energy
OF Its President, Captain @. Q. Duncan. This AssO-
ciation has no conneXion with the United states
Shipping Commission, except as the tenant OF
rooms IN the Exchange. and Captain Duncan nap
pens to be connected with both.
THE NEW YORK COMMISSION FOR LICENSING SAILORSs
BOARDING HOUSES
This originated among the better class OF sailor
landlords 10 elevate the character and reputation
OF the business and to Tree 1t from those dens Of
prostitution and robbery that had so degraded the
lawyer TO draw up the law, nearly In its present
shape, and sent HIM to Albany to procure Its pas
sage. Alter several unsuccessful efforts they also
applied to the Seamen's Friend Society for inlu-
ence ana aid. After two or three years OF bafhed
effort the act was passed and became a law Cap
tain Duncan was appointed member OF this COM
mission by the Chamber OF Commerce, and for
time was its President. At recent reorganization
OF this Board for business George W. Blunt, ESQ.,,
became its President. Not long alter the passage
oil this law 1t was found that the shipping offices
were participating largely in the 'bloou money!
and sometimes the mates and even captains were
suspected of being sharers An amendment to the
law to include shipping Offices under the supervs-
ion OF this commission was carried through the
state senate, but IN some mysterious
manner smothered in the House. Recently 1t
has come to our knowledge that q certain shipping
master paid certain politician $500 TO XIII the
amendment, and 1t was killed. We have the name
OF the infamous rascal that sold himself, and know
his political position. He Will probably ind him.
selt like Judas lin his own placer some time. We
mention tile TACT to show honest voters the tricks
OF legislation and the immense difficulty OF pro-
curing lust laws Tor the protection OF the commu-
nty The United states law comes in to do more
extensively and effectively what was contemplated
IN this amendment OF The State law.
ORIGIN OF THE LAW AND COMMISSION.
The condition oil our seamen generally had be-
come 80 deploraDle under these frauds, robberes
and imposltons that society OF benevolent
lawyer Of that city to draw up form o law and 9
petition to Congress FOR the better protection OF
seamen. The lawyer, on examination, found
nently wise ana ample IN r,aa all It's pro. pro,
better protection Of her seamen was one cause or
the ascendancy OF British shipping over our own
notifications adapting 1t to our government; had
u printed with petition to Congress; sent It to
the writer with letters rom himself and the Sec
rotary OF the Ladies Society," requesting the CO.
operation OF the seamen's Friend society. At a
special meeting or the Board 1t was carefully con-
sdered, article by article. and highly approved.
1t ought 10 be said IN this connection That this
Board Is composed OF ship owners, sea captains
and professional men.
The petition of the Board was sent to Congress
by the hand OF Captain Duncan, and owing, in .
measure TO his perseycrng care and skill 1t passed
ana became a law Congress has never passed a
wiser, better and more humane law III its bearings
on all concerned and Tor the interests OF American
commerce. The only objection that has q shadow
OF reason is the government takes the business OF
shipping seamen out 0 the hands OF private indi-
viduals Is 1t antl-republican? Answer-On the
statute books OF all maritime nations Is much
special legislation ior the protection OF seamen.
because from their avocat0n the most unprotected
OF mortas. Why should republican legislation be
an exceptions
WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THE Law
A fact may better illustrate the character
and composition OF tins meeting OF oppo-
war brawn came % the naval
rendezvous TO ship. His landlord, with him, pre-
sentei b Of So which IN his presence the sailor
landlord, then inquired OF the sailor about the bill.
IL have" SAID he 'been in his house three days.
which Is s3 suppose the rest IS Tor shipping me-"
"lou are big enough,n said the agent, ''wny do
you not thrash tnat fellow out of his boots ~
s'rhere'd be dozen more down me- and I'd
better pay the $40 than get my head broke" That
Sunday meeting was probably made up-nrst OF
such landlords; second, OF their runners third or
their heads broke" Tnis species OF robbery runs
up to millions in this country every year. What
robber will have a good opinion Of the law But
1t was said at that meeting that certain
owners were pledged to pay largely tor the
owner have to law that furnishes him as
well as the sailor that may be aggrieved
delays OF former lawsuits to adjust all difficulties
a nd keep MIN out OF the hands of TOmbs lawyers,
often set on him bv the land sharksy But 1t has
been said II cost more to ship through the Commits
sion. That has been shown to be untrue If crews
are honestly shipped without any participation IN
the sbloOd money! The Commissioner has already
paid several thousand dollars OF wages OF deceased
sailors into the United States Court for heirs, that
may possibly be q loss to some owners. Tne honest
settlement OF the voyage before the Commissioner
may sometimes protect the ignorant sailor from
mistakes against himself.
In little volume recently published in England
by member OF Parliament, the Hon. ). Plimsal,
case after case Is given with the circumstances,
except the names, IN the keeping OF the author, or
old vessels, Over1nsured, going down at sea with
all on board. That class OF owners is not CO fined
to the British Isles There IS here and there one,
probably, on this side. They Will oppose the law.
We fully believe there are but two causes OF oppo-
ignorance It's design and bearing on the interest
OF sailors, officers and owners; the other IS
princped selfsiness and rascality. 1t Is easy for
this class to get up wave OF excitement and carry
the unthnking to the plucking out OF their own
eyes.
Since writing the above the report of meeting
OF snip owners, held November II, has come to my
notice, approving the law put taking some eXcep-
ti0ns to the administration. WE'LL If 1t has not
been administered justly and periodically by the
present Commissioner the appointing power (the
United States judges) can set that right, and the
Courts are open. But closer inspection will
probably reveal that 1t has, on the whole, been
well administered and that Is the real Of tho
hubbub
hope there is still too much patriotism, Justice
and righteousness left in the Congress OF the United
States to be Influenced by such parties in interest
OF unjust galns. and too deep sense OF duty and
watchfuness in the business of legislation to be
trcked into any modification amendment to
weaken render inefficient the law by any hired
pettilogger in Congress or out Of it. II. LOOMS.
70 HANSON PLACE, Brooklyn, Nov. l3, 1873