Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-14
Scarcer than Hens Teeth in the City
of New Orleans.
What is the Remedys
New Orleans statcs.l

new orleans States,J
The United States shipping commits
sion is concerned about the paucity Of
sailors in this port and fears that
before many weeks have passed com
merce will be considerably INSTRUCTED
on this account. He stated Saturday
to a States reporter that he could clear
two vessels to-day, if he could supply
them sufficient able-bodied seamen.
These vessels will drop down to the
point and wait there until their crews
are completed.
The commissioner explained the
situation in the following manner:
The sailors who jump the vessels at
the pier head belong generally to the
German family. They are Germans,
Danes, N~orwegians and Swedes. They
are at the same time both sailors and
emigrants, and take this method of
reaching America. Shipping them
selves at some foreign port they obtain
their advance Of wages and are thus
paid to make the voyage. Arriving
here they have nothing to expect Of
the vessel unless they ship again, and,
notwithstanding their contract which
binds them to mako the entire voyage,
they jump the ship and ger out of town
as rapidly as possible. Some few of
these men take situations on planta.
tions, while the majority move on into
Texas.
The result is that there are not
enough sailors left in port to
MAN THE VESSELS
and the chances now are that next
month there will be a partial suspen-
sion of commerce on this account, I'M
less something is done to increase the
supply of seamen.
The shipping commissioner has
written to New York detailing the
situation here, and asking if idle sail
ors in that city cannot be induced to
come here.
There is always a demand in this
port for able-todied seamen, and If
this sort could get here doubtless tho
would willingly come, because they
are frequently forced to remain idle
in New York for months at a time.
The American marine being depen-
dent entirely upon foreign sailors, the
result above detailed is but natural.
If there we're plenty of American
sailors this system of emigrating
would have no effect upon commerce;
but as all sailors are foreigners, and
they do not care to make the return
voyage, it is easily understood that,
sooner or later, there will be no men
to nan the returning ships.
The commissioner regards the sys-
tenn
OF ADVANCING WAGES
as q pernicious one. The English GOV
eminent will discontinue the practice
August 80 next, and the secre-
tary of the United States treasury has
suggested to congress that tho United
government should do the same.
The custom is very old one, and has
been regarded as necessary. 1t con-
in advancing to the sailor his
wages for a month or a mouth and a
half, and lie, in most cases an advance
for the whole voyage voyages very
lasting longer than a month
and a halt.
The sailor having been paid in ad-
vance for his services, is not spurred
on by the hope ofreward at the end of
the journey; but performs his duty in
a spiritless manner, having no desire
than getting through the
world as soon as possible, and then
skipping to fresh fields and pastures
new.
Another detrimented effect Of the
custom is that it leads sailors to break
contracts. They ship for the
round trip, but jump the vessel when
half the work is done. Hthey care to
make a return trip, they apply to an
vessel and get another advance
of wages.