The New York herald., 1877-10-12
POOR JACK!
Charges Against the Commissioners for Lrans-
ing Hs Boarding Houses.
RECEIPTS SPENT IN SALARIES.
The ShipOwnrrS Association TO Act III
The Matter.

Startling charges OF criminal negligence and mall
feasance In office the part OF the Board oi
Commissioners Tor Licensing Sailor Boarding hodses
in tho cities OF Sew York and Brooklyn nave
lust been submitted the Shipowners' Associa-
hon The report containing them was prepared oy
Commissioner James j Ferris, who was appointed
member OF the board by tho association last
June Tho other members are q. W Blunt
representing tho Marine Society; c. G. Dun
can representing tho Chamtcr Of Commerce;
A. Dana Wells, representing the Port Society;
Nathaniel Briggs, representing the seamen's
Friend Society Mr.. J. X. Meyer, the sppointco
OF the Board of Underwriters died on the lst oi iast
September and the vacancy has not yet been hiieu.
Chapter ls4, Laws OF 1866 and amended by chapter
a34 Laws OF 1877 provide that the surplus Iees oi the
Board shall be devoted 10 the relief oil destitute
sailors after derayng the actual expenses oil the saa
Board. The Shpowners' Association have appointeu
committee, consisting OF Messrs W. u. Morgan a.
Wilson and ohm Zttosen 10 confer with the different
societies represented in the Board in relation TO the
matter, ana some very interesting developments may
be expected The following are the charges pre-
ferred by Mr. Ferris:
To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS THE SulPowSERs' As
sooAnoN or THE STATE or NEW ohn'. .n,,, a. yonr
consdsralon the following result Of my brie experense
to the Board OF Comm ss.ones "r
lar exhibit Board from its origin nave ascertaned
firs.Iha the Board has held but one regular meeting
since 1869 namely In ISIS when oeofge % w. stunt was
econ-That member Of the Board has personally
hoases 10 The Of which licenses have granted
from 1873 TO the present Time BY ana VII wh the eo
himself informs mel Mr.. Blunt has constituted himself tho
Third That tho precedent Of one member constituting
tas %hoe sn ooaaa m When action On bis par was
on BY y sn aarns
that Il was GENERALLY supposed repetition Of the same
fouthrhat outstanding the law that has now been
the statute books Tor upward Of eleven years there mas
sought this Board for agraat violations Of the acs cnd
they have been eg.on other than Tor q 'he
aSs o, ora m and pysiy arc
suffered without license hindrnnce on the part Of TINS
suffering diseases contracted in these dens Many
iS fo
Board should properly have been
delayed payment OF the license fees to Nj. Blunt
,nissoaers orsaaiy passed and the oSamsoners
pointed In good nh py she % oDasas a h a n soe
evils surrosndins them while entering and rcmaning in
neuons Of awlss IL our port y has ,s been
tons of fees that have been pocketed by those holding
p0'''''l' ' now MUCH THE POOR sEaams Ga1.
would respectfully call your attention 70 my accom-
n, sary SUM Of -. m oa OF the Of
% @ ss aposs S @ @ & ss
titute seamen =; the law Ne heAy tpe i wnGe
for which the law does not provide would also call
courteous manner the Boara convened. TINT
but 20 no purpose. first Tuesday in each month
standing the Mr. John X Meyers OF the
soners prior 20 the FIRST Tuesday OF scpembep last
attempt made tho part OF Mr. g. W. Blunt.
that aware OF, 20 have ameotins held.
On the 9Th of September addresseda letter the fore
the Grand Jury the subject Of Mr. q W. Bant's
proposed copy hereto annexed) aud which
suited my being summoned 10 appear 0eere the Grand
Jury. A messenger Of Mr. Blunt by me in the
anteroom the Grand Jury when presented my sum
mons the d1orkeeper Of the jury room. The
messenger question admitted to the jury room,
ana when he leit the place the doorkeeper called
witnesses in another case, then asked tee
that heard and he claims 10 represent the
whole thing | asked him ii ho had subpoena. and no
said NO. he needed amy ne knew one Of the men
inden finally requested the doorkeeper 70 20 in aud
whether was wanted BY the jury and when he re-
turned he said 'No' they done with tbs am
about taking steps 20 force meeting OF the Board
with a proper administration OF the law here
viii be pleased 70 receive your or sus
gestons Very respectfully your most obedient servant
JAMES j. FERRIS.
A BrRDs-RyK VIEW.
Tho following exhibit OF the financial transactions of
the Board from ils IN 1866 up to January, 1877
is taken records III the office OF the Clerk OF The
County OF New York.