New-York tribune., 1882-02-17
THE IMMIGRANT INSPECTION TAX.

Tho immirraut inspectiOn tax question continues
to be subcc of discussiol among ne foreign steam
snip managers and the Commissioners OF Emigra-
tiOB The managers proposition TO contract with
the Commissioners for term OF hVe years TO pay
fifty cents for each immigrant landed here 1T Is
asserted was accepted by majority voc OF the
Commissioners, and could not be honorably With
drawn Commissioner Stephenson, however, has
drawn I'D a protest against the passage OF an En-
ablng Act and he sent it TO the Legislature last
night. He makes public in his confidential com
municatiOn from the steamship companies commit
fee to a special meeting of the Board. which Comms
siOners Ulrch Taintor and Stephenson characterize
as attempt TO corrupt IT, Inns view Is not taken
by ali of the Commissioners.
The confidential communication of the managers,
Mr. Stephen sons protest states. sand that the prop
ositiOn of the Commissioners, to accept fifty per
cent of the tax on account and to have represent
atve of the companies IN the Board,
would be accepted If tue remaining half
Of the tax should never be claimed from
the companies, and if the Commissioners would
give assurance that they would institute legal pro-
ceedines against the lines or vessel not accedlng to
the proposed arrangement ana also exclude lnml-
grants brought by these from the privilege OF beng
landed at Castle Garden. The amount which would
be received, the protest adds, II this proposal was
carried into effect, would not be suincient to NAM
tain the immlg grant institutions at this port. The
average arrival of immigrants, from 1866 TO Janu-
ary l. 1882 had been 2O4, ,353 year; the average
receipts 1898. IA 81; and the average expenses
$3s65S3 73. There were in all twenty-onc steam
ship lines from foreign ports to Ncw-fOrk. yet SIX
of these asked the Commissioners to make a con-
tract with them for live years and to agree TO lnSu
tute proceedings against the other lines and to
prohibit them from landing immigrants at
Castle Garden. The head TAX was reduced in 1871
from So so to 81 90. The preliminary steps taken,
Mr. Stephenson says, " remain shrOuded IN dark
ness, owing TO the remarkable lack Of memory OF
the witnesses" contract was made by the steam
ship companies with lone Michael Nolan, in the fall
of 1870, whereby il was agreed that Nolan should
procure the reduction of the head-money from - 80
TO 81 80 and should receive one quarter of the
amount of reduction effected. Nolan acted merely III
the capacity Of distributor OF fund raised by the
companies for the purpose of influencing ltgsla-
tionD The amount paid TO Nolan was $77, ,51S 20.
If the proposition made byt the steamship compan-
les was accepted, the effect would be TO create
monopoly of a few lines, carriers Of immigrants.
The companies would advertise all over the cOnti-
nent of Europe that immigrants coming TO America.
who desired to land at Castle Garden and receive
the protection Of the Commissioners OF Emigration,
could only do so over their lines.
In view of the decision Of Judge Blatchford."
Mr. Stephenson concludes should not the Legsla-
ture take speedy action i'll calling upon the Congress
of the United States to enact some law during its
present session that will afford protection TO the
State of New-YOrk against the landing of paupers
and criminals, and relieve the citizens of the State
from tax which is not only burdensome but un-
iustW