New-York tribune., 1879-10-30

by. This dirty. boarded space was the saloon. am
ing-room and living-rOom for steerage passengers; ;
and IL was certified TO contain 100 persons.
] have abridged this description. but 1t Is stll
sufficiently explicit. Mr. Francklyn says 1t If mac
curatc in one paricular--that 4he floor OF this de-
ligbtlul den was not covered with sawdust. lhat
is the only mistake he discovers. The rest OF his
answer is curious. He tells us that this very steer
age correctly described above, is used by caDh-
passenrers at some scasaus of the year, and that II
is, in fact, ",he best part of the ship"
that be So Mr.. Francklyn really onght
to give us a description of the worst
The size Of the scerage and the number OF cubic
feet OF cir allowed each passenger are regulated by
law saws SIR Francklyn. This and other stun-
cent rules we are forced 10 abide by" He complains
of the sharpness of the official inspectors III suing
for penalties for lcssening the space between the
berths one-eighth OF an inch, which was caused by
the thick boards. Tins a sufficient illustration OF
the spirit in which the Cunard Company deal
with their patrons. They do barely so
much rs the law compels them to, or in
some cases as they are forced 10 do by the more
humane aud liberal treatment which other compa
MES practice Mr.. Francklyn seems to consider that
he has said enough when be alleges 4 techcai COM
pliauce with the law. The public understand the
matter better than he thinks. They know that
sets limit to such covetousness and cruelty as the
writer in Tie PdU MAI witnessed and suffered from
in the Cunard steeragc. 1t says you shall not
absolutely stlne q passenger--that so many cubic
feet If air are absolutely necessary TO him-he may
live with less but il is barbarOus To supply less.
And tie ambition OF the Cunard Company is 10 do
just what the law requires, and no more-not an
eighth Of an inch more space than the statute eN-
acts. When they cut il too fine and give an eighth
of an inch less they cry out against the nfiction OF
a just penalty.
There is n similar confession as to pr0visions the
greasy touch beef the sloppy stew. the smoked tea,
the watory potatoes, and the soot and Dirt III which
they are served. So as TO the bread. winch b. de-
scrbes as burned outside and dough within; and
the rank butter. Mr.. Francklyn does not
say the descr ption is incorrect but atlirms that
this bread aud butter as described is too good for
stceragc passengers and good enough for cabin
passengers 10 the greater part OF Che charges re-
lating to bad food no answer is offered. The state
ment that no good drinking water war to be had Is
pronounced an "uicolorabc MISREPRESENTATION" "
winch Mr. Frsnklyn, whose language Is eccentric,
probably means for peculiarly energetic form of
denial But B.'s evidence, usual. IS too Citcuul-
stantial 10 be net Ia ths way. He says
that on asking for drinking water he was sent
hy the steward 10 tap on the deck above.
He found the water fuere was that used loT
washing purposes, cleaning plates anu olsles. 1T
was warm and uauseOus. Returning, he asked for
some that could bc drunk. With au oath tine slew
ard told him THAI II that 40 The tap was MOI good
ENOUGH for HIM be could go without. Tie had to go
without-so had an the other Storage passengers
unless tney chose to drink tlus dl h-waier hat Is
what Mr.. FTanckiyn must deny t Ac can At
prrs.uf ne appears % Dee of tie Stewards opinion,
that dsl-water Is good enough Tor ,.oe-as" .ascl-
gers 60 drink.
THIS. I believe, dispo.cs OF all Nir. Fiancslyu's