The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-29
THE MARINER.
INTERESTING TALK WITH THE U. =.
THE SAILOR Is SHIPPED AND PAID.
Few Facts Sprung That Have Never
Before Been in Print

before Reen In Print.
Are you Capt. Wright" was the inquiry
made by DEMOCRAT reporter of a chunky man
in his shirt sleeves, standing on the Postofhce
steps. Saturday.
Yes. sir" replied the gentleman addressed
United States Shipping Commissioner. ehf
added the reporter.
Yes" was the answer and Can serve you
in any way" came next.
Reporter Certainly you can. | would like
Cant. Wright Yes. have had frequent appli-
cations to attach my name to Endorsements"
for various Federal offices, but l have declined
signing any and cannot therefore sign yours.
my young friend
VI Rep-Hold on a moment. Mr. Commissi oner.
don't think you comprehend the object of my
calling upon you here. I don't want your name
to an Endorsement" for the collectorship or
the revenue office. / am on entirely different
business.
Capt. W.-Well, sir. out with it.
Rep.-Not here. If you please, unless these
stone steps are your Office
Capt. W.-Ohl you would like to soc mo at the
Office? Very well; como across the street with
me. The government wharf having caved In.
we decided to muster crews anywhere along the
levee. and this location being more central. we
moved our Office to tho corner yonder. point
ing to the southwest corner Of Decatur and Gus
tomhouse streets. y In the second story.
In D moment the DEMOCRAT reporter was led
up q narrow stairway into room fronting on
the two streets named Stretched across one
end OF the room was something that was once
made for counter. but which. from long scr
vice. perhaps. and more than the usual wear
and tear" resembl ed the stand used by one of
the shrimp merchants In the French Market
thirty or forty years ago. Around the walls
mn fac draining NM
nails driven into the board partition or ceiling
was suspended several frames contai ming print
cd extracts OF maritime laws, and especially
those governing he hipment of crews for yes
sells clearing for o foreign port
Behind the shr imp stand there stood table,
one Of the ancient kind, covered with green
baize cloth. and scattered over the table promis-
cuously there was about two cords Of docu-
reference upon the opening of the Office In the
morning, rs was the custom.
Sitting damned up against the wall on three
sides OF the room were three or four desks one
of which. 1t is said. was inventored as part of
the plumber WHICH came out of the ark. and be-
a Of ne desks ays f ba an iron sae hnt
bottom of the gulf with some of Lalttes
treasures. or which might have been bought
cheap at Junk sale. Our man of observation
wondered II that was really nm office, but did
not wonder long. ms tho moment Capt Wright
found himself on the inside Of that shrimp
stand he made for the aged desk, and drawing
to 1t splint bottom chair he occupied it. invt-
Ing. our observer to rush bottomed chair the
remark. We'll. my friend. we're here now;
what can / do for your"
Our reporter inquired in very delicate man.
ner If here was the commissioners office.
Capt W.-EsactIy. Now. what Is your bust
ness?
Rep mot exactly catching the expression y
Did L understand you that you did d large
Capt W,-Not bit of it. Are you the master
Rep:-No: that is. not that l am aware OF,
though the spirits do say that a wealthy old
uncle of mine died in Egypt. leaving me two.
Capt WI trust that may be so. Are you
a mate Of vessel about to sail?
Rep.-Not much. Have the appearance OF
mate Of y vessel?
Capt. W. becoming impatient IL can't say
agent Of some vessel desirous Of obtaining the
deposits on deserters' due bills2
Rep.-What are deserters duo bills?
Capt. W.-Look here. my friend, my time Is
precious, and you haven't yet told me your
:, Bep.-That's SO: that's an oversight of mne
Beg pardon: indeed. | do. Was 50 charmed,
as vow w" call It. that ""e orpo Il
That's splendii view of Col. Jack Wharton's
efflce and the Postoflce doors you have from
Capt. W.-Well. tolerable, but ms said bef-
Rep;,Yes. that commands good view of the
and an easy rocking chair one could while
away an hour or so after the Saturday matinees
to good advantage there. and =
Capt. w. somewhat agitated See here
young man. you'll oblige mo by informing me-
what particular business you have with me /
don't care about any discourSes as to healthy
fans.
Rep, fact; ! had forgotten. | am
know the routine work Of your. office. or in
other words, the duties of the United States
Shipping Commissioner.
Capt. W.-For publication
Rep.-Of course There's not dozen persons
in the city outside of the marine that know any
thing about the forms 10 10 g9ne through with
m nd n 70
get such facts from you rs will enlighien them.
!, Capt; WmThats :, true; there are few that
known the object of your visit sooner? Now
Rep;-ls that your cornet on the table there?
spointing to nickel plated flatl | didn't
Capt W.-Never mind about that instrument.
play 1t sometimes. when get lonesome
Rep.,Well tell me now. captain, what arethe
prel1minaries in securing crew for an outgo- |
ing ship or vessel: or. in other words. let's put
a ship to sea- speaking hguratiyely, of course.
charge Of crews. 4 shpmastc1r or or captain cap,
when his vessel is loaded; comes here and mott
going to open articles of agreement. that being |
form or legal contrac under the United States
law. approved June 7. 1872. between the captain
and men. and he specifies that he will ship. say
one first mate. one second mate fifteen seamen.
carpenter cook. or as many as he desires to
or gets the boarding house keepers or agents
70 hunt them up, and contracts with each as to
tne wages per month. When his crew Is Sc
cured he comes here to the office with them, and
he signs the articles of agreement they each
signing In turn after havi ing It read to them.
This agreement Is worded in the shape of an
obligation which is sworn to by both captain
and crew. and on the reverse side is descrip-
tive list OF each member of the crew. their sig
natures. birth place. age. height complexion
ETC., rate of wages. amount advanced time of
service. place and time OF entry. etc. all being
specified In separate columns. and to fill which,
we have. as you will see, to take each mans
measure. When the ship is ready to sail, or to
be towed out to sea. as the case may be. the cap
tain tain notifies US, and we send to the ship,
lying. and musters the crew by the crew list and
notes that the list agrees with the articles of
agreement. the question is asked each as to
whether or not they have received any due bills.
and If they say yes they pass around to the
other side OF the capstan.
Rep. unterruptingl- What about the due bill
ousness2 Where do the men get the due bills
Capt W.-They are advances made by the
captain to the men to pay their debts with