The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-19
EMIGRANT RUNNERS.
ABUSES THAT ARE COMPLAINED OF By Rail-
moan OFFICIALS AND TRAvEIIERs

ABUSES THAT ARE COMPLAINED OF By RAIL-
ROAD OFFICIALS AND TRAVELLERS.
An inquiry into the truth Of recent complaints
made to the HERALD jushes the Impression that tho
abuses to which certain classes OF strangers visiting
the city or passing through II, subjected have
parallel In any other city OF the Union. Tho subjects
of the complaints referred TO are the robberos Of
strangers by emigrant and their confederacs
and tho trouble Is that among those.hoding licenses
IRON the city for tho prosecution OF this business
are several who have done tho State
vico within its prison walls. Tho wholesale
swindiing OF "green" travellers which was
so VIGOROUSLY practsed few years ago at
the railway aepols and along the docks
the various European induced through it,
enormity certain measure OF reform. Men alone
and with their families, with considerable sums Of
money and with barely enough to pay their way to
the point of destination were all alike eeced merc.
essy by sharpcrs who, II they did not wear the badge
OF a licensed runner introduced to their victims
by confcderates who did Baggage was stolen, to DO
returned for reward, bogus gold was given IN OK
change for grecnpacks, money borrowed WORTH
less checks by confidence operators, and travellers
were swim died and robbed by the banco game and by
every device known to the ingenuity Of experts IN
fraud. Some Of the most dangerous % the gangs Of
emigrant thieves had their headquarters in the First
little political influence Their fight with the police
was prolonged and vigorous struggle, for they had
come TO consider their depredatons IN The light Of
legitimate business
THE
But the gangs were finally routed. few were sent
to prison. others left the city tho city's good and
some died mserabiy from tho effects Of their exccsse
The dens wherein OF the robberIes commit
ted disappeared, too, and for a time no Complaints
heard oil the presence, IN any large number or TO
t,tNln vnnl n IF iFt
But alter uli complaints came up again. Tho
swindcrs not all quieted and ny The approach OF
the time for opening the Centennial Exposition some
OF the gangs we'll organized again for plundcr.
Anticipating trouble during the expected rush OF tnat
time OF the railroad officials made ire
uucnt applications the Police Commissioners
officers to protect travellers, ana about
the early part OF last September men belonging
to the steamboat squad stationed at different
ferries give information and protection to the rav-
cling public The policemen on this duty pursued Inc
rule of preventing from soliciting strangers
on the piers, boats premises oil the railroad COM
pauies and by this means saved many from falIlng
into the hands OF sharpers. Before the appointment
officers tho posts they now guard eInigrant
SaH wgae aUous ne ferry houses and railroad
dep0ts and there obtained information which enaDcd
Thorn TO swndle The unwary; Numerous stories Tories arc
told way they laid their plans; but these arc
mostly repettons OF the old tales OF bogus money ana
baggage smashing
A licensed runner would ascertain the name OF tho
place from which passenger ny ono OF the incoming
trains came tell associate who, on pretence OF
having known the victim at home would contrive 10
cheat him way before the travellers departure
| Sometimes a man would have day to spend IN New
| YORK, and, with their newly found friend oil former
years. would about spending II 10 his cost Gases
have been known where a runner and his confederate
| have come upon traveller, and wno has taken
his vase the other has cooly walked the man OH 10
an opposite direction. Sometimes tno traveller
has recovered his properly by giving reward;
| but il the thieves consider themselves sao
the traveller has to put up WIN ms loss
IN league with certain OF the runners LOT swhuanS
purposes and often an unsophslicated country man,
,nff hA rain MI "A
I front rs driven three times around block 10
confuse him to the LOCALITY. and 10 make the jour-
that there may DO cnance 70 cnargo
| him enough Tor "dIvvy"
| CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
Tho root Of all this trouble found in the fact mat
licenses arc issued Improper persons Tho ord-
governing the issue oil these licenses no
what shall lie the character olthc per.
sons u whom they may be issued The following Is
copy OF the ordinance:--
SECTION Tho Mayor of the city Of New York may from
runner peso acting himself for and on behalf u
Company or ssant Boarding or
carry the business commonly known rs ses
hotel the or sn ri Of
Every for ns ss Of @ y as y
such license snail sxsIs and r. ~ S
for the Mayor to fnsw %a any 81
ali sSnrs Qualified as provided such
application be made therefor prior to The
Mayor ana every person upon the re % OF the
Snc < Every surh licensed person. whenever employed
in soliciting pasen gers Tor eamboat railroads,
poycd authorised BY the keeper proprietor agent or
ously his metal badge containing the number q
S wsar saeS ba%sc Or parporps
suca licensed person under psn q sto io cvs
form and material Of said badge. 80.
shall the business commonly known ~
nne peny s o
or c.uaItv arising th. ordg.
may H ~ by or
~ any Of Justice a. prescribed by the
Charter by the forfeiture recovered shah 10
SIC All Of ordinances inconsistent
conflicting with the provisions OF this ordinance ars
See Tnis ordinance shall take effect Immediately.
Adopted by the Hoard Of Aldermen. June "A. 1873.
Apps&xsSS q sns T oeis 81 Common ooun
All complaints to be made 10 tho Mayors Marshall room
To tho Mayors Marshal is left the appointment Of
these men, and II is tor him ~ determine what shall
be sufficient recommendation. Ward politicians have
helped them through their difficulties with tho author
ties Az present tie police protect people on the
boats &C. but OUTSIDE the Terry gates the police have
NO power 10 interfere with runner wearing a badge.
He has his authority from tho city and Is protected IN
the pursuit Of his business.
He has paid for the privilege OF neccns country men
and he thinks tho Officer has no right TO stop his itle
game since the stRtoning OF the steamboat squad ri
tho different railroad ferries last September
Sergeant Gas.lin says his men men have made
and have secured several convictions They have put
out OF business in that time some OF tho very worst
characters along the rivor front, and now with
proper supervision Of the licensing system thoy cUuld
reform IL altogether The railroad officials say they
have no objection TO the presence their promises
honest and properly appointed agents for hotels and
respectable boarding houses but they want TO he
Ilcvod from the sharpors They waps passengers pro-
, tcctcd. a
Complaint Is also made OF the conduct Of tho hack
mon. They gather about tho ferries in swarms, graf
tho sachels OF passe ngers hustle them about
most undignned way. AS remedy for TINS evil II II
suggested that each driver compelled "a SIT BIZ
box and solicit only thorcfrom.
y
. THE CAPTURED HIGHWAYMAN.