New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-15
THE IMMIGRATION TAX QUESTION

SUITS TO BE BROUGHT AGAINST TIE STEAMSHIP
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF A LONG IIrIGA-
TION-VIEws EXPRESSED BY BOTH SIDES.
Under the circumstances which have arisen since
the passage of an act by the Legislature authorizing
the Commissioners of Emigration to collect from
steamship companies 81 for each Immigrant landed
at this port to cover the expenses of the and
spection of immigrants, provided by the inspec-
ton laws there seems likely to be prolonged
and bitter contest i'll the courts before
final settlement. The steamship com
panies are determined not to submit to the
assessment of such tax, and will test the constti-
tonality of the law, while the Commissioners of
Emigration are determined to abide by the law and
protect the interests of the taxpayers of this State.
The object of the law was to relieve the taxplyers
of New-York from the burden of an annual appro-
priation to support the institutions which attend
the reception and distribution of the emigi.lnts
1t Is urged That as the duties performed by the Com
misSioners of Emigration relieve the steamship COM
panies from much annoyance and expense i'll tho
OF the emgrans after reaching port, by transferring
them TO Castle Garden from the steamship, and dis
tnbuting them afterwards to the transportation
companies to proceed to their destination, the
companies ought TO meet the expense and
not the taxpayers of the State alone. The
representatives OF some of the steamship companies
have expressed Willingness 20 pay specified
amount Tor each passenger 10 the Commissioners of
Emigration rather than leave the department un-
supported, and 90 back TO the old system OF landing
the passengers Oh the piers proinscuUusly. Bur
they declined to accept any proposition 10 pay 80
per cent OF the head tax and leave the remainder on
condition. The matter has been a serious question
III the North Atlantic Conference Tor the last month
and decision has been deferred by some of The ueI
bers who have been anxious 10 wait until the re-
turn from Europe OF sir. Hurst, of the National
Line, and Mr.. Dale, OF the lninan Line. 1t was
stated 10y member of the Conference Yesterday
that " If the matter had been lett 10 a conlere CO
committee. and Gustav Schwab, of the North Ger
Line, 1T would have been settled long ago as those
two are looked upon the most oonsiderate and
conservative members-m TACT the brains oil the
Conference"
The Comm ssoners of Emigration declare that it
is Impossible TO settle the question amIcably and
tEcy are now determined To make further au-
vances. Lewis sanders, counsel of the luInil.is-
sioners has been authorized Ia bring suit agaims:
each steamship company which has andcd imlni-
grants since the passage of the law up to Aunust
he suits Will be brought at iii the Court OF
Common Pleas and involve about S75 600 I(ar.
alter suits Will be brought against each shinIoad of
immigrants where the Inspection tax is not maid
Ii. j. CortIs of the " hte Star Line ,oid Tim,
Il was III hopes there would be some plan agreed
upon TO AVOID further controversy OF litigation
although believe II the matter really comes To the
test tc law will bc found 10 be llnCousti,uton,i
suppose there is nothing now 10 DO but TO await a
hnai decielon oil the courts. If the Commi.,ioners
| OF Emigration carry out their threats TO brIng
separate suis against us Tor each individual pas-
sengcr, and put us under heavy bonds as thnv "a,,
tiey can 10, tbe5 may succeed III gripping our bust
ness III TACT crush IL GU and drive If 10 comn,t;n,
ports. Ii there should he any prospect of tIs n7
alternative Is TO apply 10 the courts Tor an mime
uon restraining them. We recognize The nac'Sait, =,
o. continuing Castle Garden ana we a,.o rrrn,,,I,
that The tax OF III head upon the
| Garden is the headquarters fr im,niSrante
| from all parts OF the world hnt H.,
steamship lines iail to why they should hear The
| entlre expense OF It's support. Our reason for de-
Ginning the proposition from the Commissioners for
90 per cent OF the tax on account, was becanse
| nave no authority To compromise on the law. and
we did not wish to recognize the authority 81 ~"
Commissioners to collect the tax. My reasons 70,
desiring an amicable settlement were to avoid -
bitter, prolonged and expensive contest in TN"
courts" " WV
Commissioner Ulrich, with whom COMMISSIONS,
. epheheOn agreed, said: The Commissioners have
| EXTENDED the olive branch 10 the Steamship CON
pahics and 1t has been Ie ected. We desired To II,
ienlent with them as far consistent with ON
Oiilclal dnty, ana we were snubbcd We have had M
desire 10 Cypress OF antagonlZe them, but we viii
| make no further propositions All overtures mus
now come from them. II TIE obstinate members nj
the conference had listened to the advice and sup
| gestions OF the more reasonable and Influential
| there Is now doubt that an amcablc arrangements
| would have been reached ere tiia. We have e..
deayored to avoid litg ition; efforts have beer
TO protect both the State OF Ncw-lork which ha,
| supported immigration so many years, and th,
steamship companies. Bat the issue has boeI
| forced upon us. We must go to the courts and il
! Is now war TO the kniie. We dont intend 10 SeIcc
any one instance and make il Il test case, but vii
| begin separate suit upon every ship-oad OF immi
| grant passengers landed here, and the STEAMSHIP
| companies Will be Obliged to give bonds for tht
payment OF penalties upon each and every Dasseu
ger landed We have authorized fifteen suils 10 h,
| brought, involving about $4,000 in taxes AM
penalties"