The New York herald., 1876-03-23
WHAT THE STEAMSHIP AGENTS SAY.

WHAT THE STEAMSHIP AGENTS SAY.
Mr. Gustav schwab, agent OF the North Germau
Lloyds steamship Company, said in relation to the
decision Of the United States Supreme Court In the
emigration against that and other lines rendered
Monday last, ''There seems TO be misappro.
hension in respect to the decision in IL
suit brought by the authorities OF the city OF New
Orleans, La, against this company TO recover certain
amounts claimed as head money. What the points or
that suit do know, but believe that it
much broader field than the Anchor Line suit. 1t is
impossible for to say what action will be taken by
the steamship conference this CITY, because We have
not yet received the text Of the decision OF the United
States Supreme Court IN the several The Anchor
Line suit OF, It may be called, the SUIT OF tho
Henderson Brothers, is, understand it, recover
money paid under protest Communication on head
money for immigrants who did not remain within tho
State of New York, but left for other States imme-
datey alter their arrival 1t is probable that as soon
the different companies receive the text of the de-
clson there will be some concerted action taken In
any event it would be absolutely necessary to take ac-
ton in behalf of the immigrants, Tor the Comms-
sioners of Emigration are bankrupt and have been
dong business for the last year two borrowed
money The property under the control OF that com
mission is mortgaged for about all II Is worth and thoy
cannot get any more money except by an act OF tho
Legislature. The companies do not express
any opinion as to whether they would or would not
oppose the revival OF the system OF giving bonds for
the decisions
Mr Coverly, Of tho Anchor Lire, was also in doubt
as to the effect OF decisions Tho counsel for the
line had not yet received copy OF tho decision Ha
thought that on its receipt meeting OF the agents
would be called, say next Friday and II tho payment
OF head money had been declared Illegal conference
of the steamship and railway agents might settle tho
vexed question by mutually taking caro- of their own
passengers Tho decision will probably be received to-
day The suit on behalf OF this line was about the
same stated above
Mr. Austin Baldwin OF the state Line, had read the
daNtcn rtyn hf lao nj IN ST. I'm
conference, but on inquiry 1t was found to be only the
newspaper report Mr.. BALDWIN was satisfied
that harm would work to the emIgranta
by aboshng tho present system OF head
money collection, and leaving the OF the mmi-
grants to the agents OF the lines II might result IN
bonds for tho protection of the State of New York,
any other State wherein the immigrant first landed,
against his becoming charge upon that State by re-
naming IN it, matter whether he was diseased OF
crippled agents might ovade the provision OF thd
law by Immediately forwarding the said immigrant 10
another State.
AZ the General Transatlantic Line the gentleman in
charge the absence of NJ Louis Dc Bcban who is in
Philadelphia said that the decision had been reported
10 HIM, and he was glad that more head money
would have to be paid, but he declined TO express any
opinion to the effect OF tho decision until he had
been furnished with copy OF the text
The HERALD reporter then visited ho steerage pas
senger agent OF prominent lnc who declined to have
his name used at present He said :-"The system OF
head money could be greatly modified with benefit Ia
the States and TO the immigrants. The steamship
companies should not be taxed with So each on hosd
who pass directly through the State to the West No
objection would be made that those stopping
hero permanently say fifteen per cent of the total
rivals But the immigrants arriving during the last
three or four years are OF much higher grade than
those of twenty-n years ago. Then they were Ig-
norant OF the land they coming to, few had
friends here, and landing they 1eeced
by the organized bands OF sharpers, thievN
and baggage smashers' who infested the wharvea
where the Immigrants were landed. If suitable land.
ing places provided IN all ctles under proper con-
troll of the police the thieves and other rascas could
be kept down. The larger portion OF immigrants ar
rivpg fairly educated, have friends in Amer
ica here thoroughly posted In the games organ
lied to fleece them aud they need but little For
the last three years emigration has been the decline
account Of reports sent to tho other
side OF hard times here. II the Commis-
sion Of Emigration 10 abolished and tho
national government takes the matter In hand,
think IL would be we'll for the National Commissioner
TO set apart OF the islands the bay, say GOV.
ernor's Island, receiving depot Then the rail-
road companies could forward their passengers with
out subjectng them to the runners and sharpers. II
Castle Garden retained receiving depot II would
be well to clear it OF Of its abusessay Of
the socalcd missionaries who procure railroad tickets
for immigrants and then pocket the commissions on
such sales IL is done very quietly and without thu
knowledge OF the Commissioners, but II is Again,
destitute immigrants should not have 10 beg ON the
str fo bread