The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-08

the shove act have been encountered in conse-
quence OF the construction given TO It 10y us author
lied interpreters While IL is TO be regretted that
so excel,ent n law has not been. and perhaps, cam
not he strictly enforced. the hepe Is entertained
that the efforts OF the Treasury department. 10 P:o
cure cencurrent legislation on the part OF the lead
ing nations a. Europe and OF the United States VIII
be successful"
humanity 1t is therefore obvious that every good
citizen. but more especially our German and Irish
brethren, should aid in the destruction OF emigra-
ton abuses and call aloud fer an International law
which will give ample protection to our brothers
and sisters who have yet TO cross the ocean. Few
freshmen or Germans and NAV add the poor III
treated Italians, VIII refuse TO stand by my side in
this war OF humanity. They have all more or less
experienced the wrsngs OF which have written
and have hearts big enough to feel fer their suffer
ing fellow creatures. The Irish and he Germans
devoted citizens; but let them not in the DAYS OF
their success forget the days Of their sorrow.
people generous, humane and tumble viii become
greatest or the great, but people corrupt, AFRO
giant and selfish will sink lowest OIL tho low
Great efforts have been made ana much has been
written on the cause OF ocean reform during the
been done; but great reforms are yet required to
change the ocean steerage he'll INTO paradise:
The people must open their eyes 10 the extent OF
the evil which concerns themselves and throw OH
the apathy which enthras them, and Il they do so
the HERALD has given, TO see the West of abuses
abolished and the emigration swindle metamor-
phQsed int an honest and honorable speculation.
The men who have realized fortunes and grown
into power and pomp by the cruel neglect and
iil-usage of millions OF their fellow creatures may
be exalted In the eyes OF Malnmon w0rshppers;
but, In my opinion, they are greater criminals by
Tar than the most atrOciOuS criminal who ever trOd
within the walls OF Newgate or the TOmbs II is
not, alas in our power to punish them as they de-
serve; but it is possible to place them in the pory
OF pubic opinion there to receive the execrations
O all honest men. l hope, Sir. that no one will
consider that now write or have written for pub
lie amusement. On the contrary write for public
knowledge and consideration, because know that
knowledge is power" ana that people possessed
OF II cannot and will net submit to wrong. With
Milton, might say
Not to know at large of things remote
From use, obscure and subtle but 10 know
That A.. which n,. Dss som US %hs !. daily e
s or SaS a
Unprsctised, unprepared and still to seek
will gladly admit that the general arrangements
are superior on one or two OF the Atlantic lines;
but even OH the best of them there is room for i'm
prOvement During the past couple OF weeks
have inspected some OF The vessels IN port, and
have discovered the vessels of one or two lines OF
more modern establishment to be superior in their
steerage arrangements; but such vessels remind
one OF the desert oasis. But OF the treatment and
fare outside OF port on such vessels | can say
nothing. Many Of the lines are bad, and that the
general treatment is Infamous is fact which can
is well known to millions. The steerage of the
ocean steamships Is, in the majority OF cases, hot
bed OF disease anu MANY and the sooner It swept
oil millions OF our fellow creatures. The sections of
the Passenger acts are seldom complied with, and
are to all intents and purposes dead letter upon
the ocean. have collected large OF evidence
against nearly eli the Atlantic lines, and II one half
OF il is true state of things revealed which lew
now resident in Brooklyn. VINO travelled from Lon
donderry by one OF these lines, and whose health
was completely shattered by her treatment, waited
upon her counsel on her arrival in New York, but
the only consolation he could give her was that 1t
would be madness to fight against such a rich COM
pany. may remark, en- yassdnt, that overcrowd-
ing Is one OF the great eyis OF passenger vessels
although the British Passenger acts OF 1855 aud
1868 have special sections against 1t. But the
mOnopoists care little for laws or passenger mis-
fortunes SO long they Can realize enormous
PROFITS. But their days are numbered. The National
line which Is by no means solitary criminal stands
convicted before the world l defed it to proceed
against me for lipe, but 1t dared not do SO, and
leave 1t TO the verdict OF no corrupt nvestiga-
ton committee, but OF an honest and impartial
public. Already, with your assistance, have made
OF the Atlantic Ocean, ana l trust before have
completed the great work have on hand to see
ample Justice done to the poor cmigranis ON the
one side and the heartless despOts oi the ocean on
the other. Leading members OF Congress ana The
British Parliament Will bring the question before
their respective Assemblies and 1t VII! receive the
earnest consideration not only OF the American
but ne British goyernlpent, MS nave been III
H. however, there shall bc any hesitation on INC
part Of the representatives or the governments 10
do their duty the people have the remedy IN their
own lands, by kicking out the worthless members
and by DatrOnizng and recommending that line
which Is most deserving OF support Il such line
cannot be found the people have another remedy.
Let them establish a great Atlantic Ocean line OF
their own. What has America been doing
TWO hundred ocean steamships ana none Ameri-
cant 1t Is u disgrace to the American E3g, dis
honor to the American nation, source OF enor-
nous wealth 70 the foreign shipOwners. II the
existing hBes will not improve. grand line Of
own SHOULD ana shall he started, with decent ac-
commodations Tor emigrants. Thirty dollars isix
pounds) will pay the shipswner to give state
rooms on the upper deck tor four or six, with am.
PIE light, ventilation, general comfort and good
Iood, instead OF budding the passengers together
like cattle. That line which will make those i'm
provements will nave my support and that OF mil
lions on this as well as on the other side of the
Atlantic.
have now before me copy Of the British Pas
senger acts OF 1855 and 1868, Tor which | am IN
debted to tho Ambassador at Washington. In q
day or two shall nave the American acts, and, in
a skorttime afterwards, hope to be able to sub
mil the draft OF new International Emigration law
to the government and people OF the United States.
In the meantime the people OF this city will am
informed, give me mora! support by holding dis.
trict meetings, preparatory to monster gathering
which will take place in few weeks in the Cooper
Institute, and towards the expenses OF
which Mr. Peter Cooper has generously onercd to
subscribe literally. With the abolition OF the
ocean abuses hope to see the spirit OF impurity
banished rom Castle Garden. One cores pendent
writing to me OF 1t says that the Emigration Com
mission Is in the hands OF men who IL to swim
die the people. Another describes 1t as passing
through an "ordealn A third speaks OF 1t as q den
OF jobbery and corruption, while fourth hints
that some OF its members are in COLLISION with he
shipownefs.
More than two weeks have now elapsed since
wrote to the Commissioners OF Emigration, and
yet have received no reply. Under sucn circum-
stances what a farce 1t is to ask immigrants II they
one out OF thousand who could remain in New
York to complain and follow up my complaint, and
II has been their distinguished will, so have been
told, to file my letter, in other words, postpone
the investigation indefinitely. To the Chairman or
the Emigration commissioners, who has won his
way to Office and Opulence through the support Of
immigrants, feel deeply grateful FOR his
courtesy in attending so promptly to my
communication. 1t is time that such. bogus
friends OF the poor were exposed in their true
colcrs, and 1t il equally true that Mr.. O'GOrman
would, as you suggest in your leader OIL sunday
last, be turned out Of or resign ms Office. I he
friend OF the Erie agent must be friend OF the
people! Castle Garden, instead OF being the glory
oil the Empire City, Is, fear, It's disgrace. viii
now, sir, conclude my letter. IL is sad to contem
plate so much corruption and inhumanity; but the
study Is swcetened by the knowledge that both
Will seon be swept away FalschOod and cOrrup-
ton, despOtism and cruelty may hold sway for
time, but cannot last forever. Justice and truth
shall be yet triumphant.
appeal to the manhood OF America its virtue
and its public spirit, and most earnestly implore
the Germans and the Irish, and those ipr whose