The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-21
STEAMSHIP GRIEVANCES.
Law DESrRFD ny THE EMIGRA-
TION COMMISsTO vERS.



A NH In Congress- Thnt the steamship Men
say WIN REQUIRE or them Inipossibilities
why the city of Chester Went Ashore.
The steamship companies complain of
the efforts of the Emigration Comm ssoners TO
est blish new imuosts and restrictions, which,
they say will seriously ininre their business "
edopted. he Commissioners had n bill intro
duced into Congress NJ the at session, which
they intend t. prc 90 next winter, Imposing q tax
OF 81 head on all alien immigrants. to be paid
ty he master of the vessel within twenty-four
hours after landing. Another provision makes
II unlawful 10 land passenger from any for
eien country, VINO, within one yenr, has been
convicted or pleaded guilty of any criminal
offence not OF political character, or who has
been pauper or a lunatic, or VINO Is not able
to SUPPORT himself. Every master is required,
within twenty -four hours after the arrival Of hts
vessel, to make report specifying whether any
Of his passengers come within these ctegOries
The penalty Of emitting to do so Is n fac OF &I5
for every such pass niger not reported, and the
United States may sue for and recover u penalty
Of $500 for each infraction OF the law.
To show how injurious the operation OF this
law would prove, the steamship men refer. ss
an instance, TO what are called "preprd" tick
cts. he thousands OF steamsh ship agents In tho
United States are furnished With books contain
Inc those tickets. person In Ia Crosse de-ir-
ing to pay the passage Of trend from one Of
the old countries Will buy aud forward one OF
them 10y letter. When this ticket reaches It's
I destination, II ia shown to friends and neigh
| bors, perhaps with the letter which presents
arsument setting forth the advantage Of the
new country over the old. The result IL often
that IL brings half dozen settlers instead Of
one. The steamship companies, for that reason
have encouraged the system Of prepaid tickets
creased. But the steamship people say
that the System would be destroy
grafton Commissioners. The COMPANY, they
say, cannot contract through It's agent at Ia
| Crosse to bring John Smiths brother from Law
erpool to New York without ntst assuring itself
that he mas never been In lunatic 'lun Or
1t has to tike John smiths word for It, and
thus tisk Tor $2S, which is the price OF steer re
passage, a nne - S575 ana that. too, when Joun
| Smith would have every motive to deceive II.
| On the other hand, saw the steamship men. II
| the company SOLD John Smith the ticket, and
after investigation ON the other side found tn at
! John WAS nrinring his brother out Of the poor
| house, with perhaps the inteDi to nnd honest
empl yment for him here, the company would
he hound by its contract. ana John smiths
brother could sue tor the failure TO perform it,
| Under present circumstances. the only oppor-
| tunity 'hc companys agents IN Liverpool would
have to iuvt stigate would be after the intending
PASSENGER made his appearance, perhaps all hour
The Canadian Government. instead OF impos-
| ing "A tax Of e.. p,y bonus OF s6 for every pas
! s-ngcr who Intends to remain IN the Dominion
But there Il no restriction to prevent nm igrants
# IN leaving at any time; he Montreal line
passengers IN New York for less than our coui-
I panies G n.
1HE sun showed, some time ago how the
ste tu ships aud sailing vessels were swiudled in
tue iriVe they were compelled to pay for water,
ana the result has teen apartial relief from that
/ Imposition. Hut there other abuses that
ought to Toe remedied. 1t Is Id that the CITY
! Ot Chester went ashore week ago mainly ON
account of an unnecessary restriction by the
health authorities At quarantine. Former dep
uty health officers were content to meet an IN
coming steamer aud Inspect her without COM
peing her t. me TO anchor. unless she h at
CONTACT us disease on board. but DR.. THOMPSON,
IL IL said. never le.yes his house until he hears
the clink of tue cable letting 90 the anchor. The
steam hips are thus detained an hour where a
few minutes would tufice. he CIV OF Chest or
csme To anchor In narrow channel. and with
the change OF tide che swung around aud
| grounded In the mud.
| Cntil recently the steamships were CHARGED
500 "A trip for the Health officers INSPECTION aud
| tumieation. Tue fumigation consists III swing
! Ing two or three tin cups arouud In the 10 10
| for a few minutes with chemicals that ought 10
cost about d cents. Tue price was cut down to
| 30 last winter. IN consequence of tie rem OH
str noes OF the companies agents. 1t Is siill a
| pretty good porqutsite Tor the Health o.
One capthin SAID, "Ob, you Sc, wa mad IN
| pitch On basket Of w.us or A Few clio rs or
! something OF mat kin:. fur the Health oficer
hs Iuhg as W" that were all right. Hut
! tne ""..ipdnies put a stop to that, and now tney
/ nnd II necessl Try to briug US To- anchor aud Keep
| ur an hour