The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-18
MASS MEETING OF sEAMEN.

mass meeting Of ssamcn was called for threc p.
A. yesterday, at the foot Of Wall street. in order
press their feeling IN OF tae passage by Congress
OF the amendment to the shipping act offered by Mr.
Elijah Ward on June l. The number OF actual seainer
present was small the majority those present being
apparently 'ongshorcmen, boys and sailor boarding
-house keepers Several sailors in the crowd expressed
bitter opposition 10 the movement be fore the meeting
was opened, denouncing IL As a scheme OF the board.
ing house keepers torevvc the old system of robbna
SO prevalent here few years ago Several OF the men
said:-.If man wants ship In coaster he can't do
till he pays Of the shipping masters in me itss
Offices along South street S. and then IS moro TO the
boarding holse keeper and s. TO the Commissioner.
It's bad enough 1t is, but II Congress does away
with the power OF the Commissioner the thieves VIII
got ALL they did beoren Another said :--ssThis il
trick OF the boarding house keepers They want "a
repeal the Shipping act by having 1t amended Why
don't they cham the sailors up at the foot or Wall
street and sell them for slaves At once"
About thrco O'Clock Mr.. Samuel Hewitt the Chair
Of the Association OF Sailors called the meeting
order and In brief speech explained the object a
the meeting He then read the following preamble ant
resolutions, which we're immediately adopted without
amendment or discussion, and the meeting alb
ruptly declared adjourned-
Whereas since the spring OF 1873 have time aud time
again % ropes. 2, amend the obncxt
uary MS we sent to Washington comnissee represent
ing the body OF American principal
Atlantic ports, with instructions to submit
His Excclency the President Of Congress or
United states asking for redress OF the
by officers appointed under said which
promised by the President and by Congress we'll
and
Whereas tho LIST Of june inst through persever
OF employers and Hon. Elijah
In the House Of Represent reported bill th
Commerce Committee to amend said Act which bill
passed by that honorable body and would IL became law
materially alleviate condition by crailing the powers
OF unprinciped men who rule with rod Of
whereas Seeiye Of Massachusetts
day persistenty protested against the Of said hill.
using his utmost endeavors against and be-
hnif of bitter and vengeui enemies falsely
that tho desired change in the law
fore, he IL
denim the shipping Of June 1872 arbtraY and un
JUST injurious the Interests of employers
own. tho scheme Of designing further thei
selfish under guise Of trendhness the sailor
Resolved That the administration said act has been
pcrpetnay perncious persecution OF employers
ourselves instead Of the protection that it Is falsely
Resolved That our attorney be requested t.
heartfclt thanks Hon. Elijah Ward and all others
who, by voice and action, have proved them.
selves the friends Of American seamen, and that he
also BIO requested 70 urge upon the Upper House u
Congress the Immediate necessity for
honorable body the Ward amendment the shipping
ofJune 1874 aud being the unanimous desire OF Amcr
Resolved That our attorney Mr. James j. Ferris OF New
York. whose honest and disnteresed abors
behalf has entitled him to the gratitude and confidence Of
power 10 seek Legislative redress In name
Resolved That the benevolent public, well State
and national legislatures cautioned against horde Of
pou frauds who perpe naly soliciting charity through
behalf OF American without authority from
perceptbe beneficial results Others than themselves