The New York herald., 1876-03-10
THE SHIPPING ACT.
ITS FoRcrBLE DENUNcIATIoN AT PYTHAGoRAs
HALL LAST EVENING.

ITS FoRcrBLE DENUNcIATIoN AT PHrHAeoRAs
HALL LAST EVENING.
large meeting was hold last evening at Pythagoras
Hall OF shipmasers sailors and others Interested in
the shipping of this port with a view 10 expressing
their Indignation in regard TO the shipping act OF june
1874 Alter the reading OF letters from S s. Cox, Fer
nando Wood, C. R. Meade, Gustavus Brett and others
some talking done laying bare the alleged fraudu-
lent practices OF G. G. Duncan and the American Sea-
mans Friend Society
The following resolutions were then read and unani-
mousy adGpted:-
Whereas the people OF New York interested in
ships and shipping, in meeting assembled,
feel called upon 10 express their Indignation in regard
TO the outrages heaped upon free and independent
people by The enactment into law OF the Shipping Com
mssioners bill by Congress. June 1872, and also by
| the improper administration OF said law.
Resolved, While have ever viewed the passage by
Congress Of any act that would deprive any of the
people OF the United States any rights privileges
guaranteed them by the fundamental principles OF our
national charter just for strife, We have
borne such ndignities spirit OF meekness beyond
even our comprehension.
Whereas this forbearance on our part Is due to a
belief in the good of Congress passing this
bill ostensiby for the welfare of seamen although at
the solicitation of horde OF pretended Christian
iriends Of the latter, but who very earnestly
abored In their own selfish interests regardless Of
those OF the sailor, and OF which latter fact have
! furnished abundant evde nee; and whereas while
are now determined 10 demand and exact our rights
rs free people we are equally dcte ned TO pros
ecute our cause in such manner becomes peace
able and law abiding citizens therefore, be il
Resolved That we view the shipping act oil june
1877 IN It's present FORM direct violation OF tic
constitution OF the United States nasmuch he APP
polnment of officers administer said vested IN
ajudciary instead OF executive department Of tho
government. while the imposed upon class TO
whom the act applies Is not proporuoned according 10
the census OF the population OF the nation.
Resolved, That sald act has now been in operation
upward of three years and has itself and i'm
proper administration proved source OF persecution
and annoyance TO those whose interests II Immediately
alecls-io wit, ship0wners masters, seamen and all
others employed ON board American ships, both steam
and sail-and has ANONYMOUSLY failed TO ameliorate
their condition. that said act of Duncan and other
shipping commissioners has been arbitrary IN tho
extreme, while their arrogance has been peaceably
submitted by those who made the victims Of
these tyrants by act OF Congress.
Resolved That the Misrepresentation OF the Ameri
Seamen's Friend Society in regard TO this act and
its administration received by tins body charac
terstic OF organization the management OF which is
Intrusted TO those who have formed ring to pocket
the contributions TO It's fund.- and has been clearly
proven. reflects dscreditaby all respectable parties
VINO have allowed their names 10 be used in connec-
tion with society where the same Is used Tor nearous
| purposes.
Resolved, That this assemblage have made them
selves acquainted with tho provisions OF the amendment
TO SAID recently introduced in the House Vf Rep
resentatives by Hon. Elijah Ward, of New York and
while we disputed the necessity of any
legislation creating special officers 10 supervise the
tracts made between shipowners masters aud seamen
unite in recommending the passage by Congress of
said amendment without any alteration OF its principal
points
Resolved That this assemblage denounce the with
holding IRON the United States Treasury by c. q. Dun
can and other shipping commissioners of all moneys
arising from the owners fees by HIM and them col
lecled under this act reprehenslbe, and demand
ing tho strctest scrutiny OF the proper authorities
Resolved, That he people here assembled authorize
the officers OF this meeting to demand OF the United
States District Attorney Bliss the of the
people OF New York, that the examination OF the ac-
counts Of Shipping Commissioner Duncan, in
progress be made thorough and searching investga
tion and TO request or consistent with law ana with
all due respect Mr. District Attorney Bliss and the
examiner, we oe allowed to have representative who
has practical knowledge OF such matters present with
said examiner during such Investigation
Resolved, That the thanks OF the people of New York
Interested IN ships and shipping justly due and
hereby rendered TO our United States Senators and Rep
resenatvcs in Congress, regardless oi party for the
lively interest they exhibit In our matters, and We
trust they wall continue their ndefatigabe efforts in
behalf until relief is secured in the premises.
The meeting adjourned shortly afterward