The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-06
AN OBNOXIOUS LAW.
The Bureau CT immigration q Tax on
Commerce.


have been reduced to the present condition
of poverty, the statute books Of the last ten
years give conclusive proofs. Not only has
this effect been accomplished by laws impo-
sing enormous taxes, creating new salaried
offices and incorporating monopolies, but in
no less degree by enactments hampering our
commerce and increasing the already heavy
burdens Of incoming vessels.
AS sample Of this kind of legislation we
can refer to the act Of the Legislature, ap-
proved by Kellogg, June Is, 1874, creating
anew the Bureau of immigration in this city
| The act, according to its title, has for its
object the government, supervision and pro-
lection of immigrants at the port of New
| Orleans, and to save the State harmless from
| the importation from foreign countries Of
such persons as are apt to become charge
upon the State" but its provisions operate
far differently.
In the fourth section Of the act it is made
the duty, under heavy penalty, Of the com
mander of every vessel arriving at this port,
from which alien passengers may be landed,
to file with the bureau list Of such passen-
gers last legal residence, etc. Section then
enacts that
1t shall be the duty Of the Commissioners
of immigration to require the owner or con-
signee of the ship or vessel from which such
persons were landed, to give several bond
to the people of the State in penalty of $500
for any and every person included in said re-
port, such bond being secured as hereinafter
Id - f,,1a o,,I hos
Commissioners of immigration, and each and
every city, town or parish in this State from
costs which said commissioners, or such city,
town or parish shall incur for the relief or
support of the person named in the bond,
within five years from the date of such bond.
1t shall be lawful for any owner, or con-
signee, at any time within twenty-four hours
after the landing of such persons from any
ship or vessel in the port of New Orleans
to commute for the bond or bonds so required |
by paying to the Commissioners of Imigra-
ton, or their appointed agent, the sum of
two dollars for each and every passenger re-
ported by him, as by law required; the re-
ceipt of such sum by said commissioners. or
agent, shall be deemed full and sufficient
discharge from the requirements of giving
bond.
And in case that any owner or consignee of
any vessel arriving at the port of New Or
leans shall fail neglect or refuse to give the
bonds required by this act, or pay the COM
mutation money as above set forth, within the
time prescribed as aforesaid, said owners or
consigness shall forfeit and pay unto the said
Commissioner of Immigration the penalty of
one hundred dollars in the case of each and
every person or passenger for whom they shall
ALL neglect or refuse to give bond or pay the
Communication money, which sum or sums .
nay be sued for and recovered in any court of
competent jurisdiction, with judgment in
oldo against such owners and consignees
When it is known that this port has been {
or years past the point of arrival for thou =
ands of immigrants, bound for the growing
tate OF Texas, and who perhaps do not re-
nain twelve hours within our municipal
mits, the onerous obligations upon ship !;
wners imposed by this act will be more read {
y appreciated, but outside of this considera-
on. the statute has had and will have serious I
sndency to influence masters and owners of
essels from incurring these obligations by G
ringing immigrants, Of which we so much +
and in need, within our borders.
But few masters or eonsignees could COM !;
y with the statute by giving bonds for each
and the act practically resolves it. l
If into one for the collection of head money, G
: import duty on those who desire to people '
II untitled lands and improve oar industries
those who engage in the business of carry S
g passengers are burdened by tax like a.
lis it is evident they, by going elsewhere, h
i'll save themselves such liability, and we are a,
o loosers.
As an evidence of the spirit of antagonism a a
ready engendered by this act, We have but CO
refer to the number of suits against the m
nsignees of some Of our largest steamship to
les for the collection of this Communication al
oney, which suits are being stoutly resisted 5
these companies. immigration is what s..
,uisiana wants, and instead Of taxing it, we al
ould pay bonus to each incoming alien oc
10 desires to settle with us.
Besides these practical objections to the 5.
erations of the act, there are strong consti- -
tional ones which would seem to be un- "
ervable. tax upon tonnage or passengers of
regulation Of commerce, and de
der the Constitution of the United States WI
mot be laid by State ~
the suit now pending testing the 90
Iidity Of the act be successful in rendering 81
nugatory or not, this statute, as is recon- no nc
ended by the Commissioner of Immigra-
n in his last report, should be repealed. 1t at
) not served any but bad purposes and is wa
Q Of those enactments which has not
lie assisted in the work of reducing our r..
nmerce to its present condition. tn
------------ fel
The belief is widespread among men that so
men don't know good cooking when they
ct it, and the generality don't. At the ultra 81
mime restaurants where ladies most do ST,
lgregate for those strange abnormal meals we
led lunches l have seen them commence
b Charlotte Russo, put an oyster stew on Az
Of that, wash the oysters down with cup
chocolate and have a plate of assorted W.