New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-30
sELF-SuPPORTING IMMIGRATION.

OPPOSITION Oh THE STEAMSHIP COMPANIES TO THE
PROPOSED INCREASE OF HEAD-MoSEY--A DE-
CREASE or IMMIGRATION PREDICTED-THE
PROFITS OF THE COMPANIES.
The officers of the European steamship COM
panies already taking vigorous for the de-
feat of the bill introduced in the State Senate Tues
for the Increase Of head-money on immigrants from
"a IL not their first act of resistance to the
passage OF such law Their success on the present
easiOn Is not so well assured, however in former
years FIVE years ago the tax immigrants was s. 90
per person. Ii at length thought possible 10
duct business of the Emigration Bureau at a less
expense, aud "a reduction III the hesd-noney pro-
posed The steamship companies eagerly favored the
propose measure, land representative of all Of them
met a Committee from the Board Of Emigration Com.
ussioners to debate the subject They all promised
that that reduction OF in head money would
be followed by them swith reduction OF 81 IN the
rates of passage. Tle reduction In head-mOney Was
accordingly brought about; but it not followed by
reduction whatever the rates of passage and in
consequence the income OF the steamship companies
was eased about 10000 annually. Two years ago
when the results OF the new system had become fully
understood attempt made 90 again increase the
head money TO its old figure of 81 so The movement
seemed likely TO succeed rhereupou politician whose
Influence Albany great assured the steam
ship com aDies that the bill would surely be passed
unless decisive taken to defeat It,
power il sufficient given to him. The steam
ship companies thereupon agreed it is asserted that
he defeated the bill he would receive 50 cents for each
Immigrant who arrived for year after ward The
bill defeated and their attorney had received $4,000
payment for his services when exposure Of the fact
deprived hiW oi 5000 on lhereabonts winch he would
have received for the feins udef OF the year.
One OF the arguments brought forward By the steam
sh officers IS the effect that increase in head
money would tend TO drive immigration and commerce
from NewYors TO other porte. OF this change the
current OF commerce, however there no danger No
where else country Immigrants received and
cared for tbs port. To EewYOrk and 10 other
port % ont Oi every 100 immigrants determined to
come This Is shown by the history OF the principal
steamship lines. Tue steamers OF the Inman Line bring
INNING this port than do those OF other.
The Imam Line brst ran between Liverpool and Pnila
oelphia and driven from the latter port TO New
York Another of the wel!known lines FROM Liverpool
attempted to its steamers between that port aud
Halifax and Boston. Their steamers now run semi
weekly 10 and IRON this port. Immigrants deter
mined 10 land at New-York and from INN grants the
profits OF the companies largely derived Ii is
mated that entire cost 10 the company OF Transport
ing a steerage passenger from Liverpool TO Sew-YOrk
not exceed $40 Storage passage costs $50 The
who oppose the proposed increase in e head
money DO really advocate the interests OF the inn
grant, 0utof the steamship companies ony all OF whom
owned Dy English capitalists. and all OF whose
steamships ~ The English nag. ......