New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-23

LEGISLATION AFFECTING TIE STEERAGE
There seems to be every reason to expect that
the bill for the regulation of the immigration
traffic, which was passed by the House yester-
day, will become law. The measure vetoed
recently by President Arthur was silly
| opposed by the steamship companies, the man
ayers of which claimed that some of the provis-
| ions were unreasonable and vexatious, and that
| the effect of these would be to check the stream
| of immigration to this country. But the bill now
before Congress is not assaed by the old and
well-establiShed companies, and only the mash
room lines that spring up suddenly Ill times of
great activity in transatlantic trade, and disap
pear as suddenly when the special demand is
over, are working against it. The fact that
they oppose it Is strong recommendation in
its favor. Such companies have no reputation
to maintain and are only started for a temporary
purpose. They charter steamships, often old
and of inferior quality, to take advantage of
the high tide of immigration, and, anxious only
for the largest immediate profits, they cram
their vessels to their utmost capacity with steer
age passengers, exercising no discrimination,
accepting all who corne whether paupers Grip
pies or criminals. asking no questions, and con-
corning themselves about nothing except that
the passage money is paid. Their wretched vic
tins once on board their only aim is to get them
to the other side of the at the least pos
| sible outlay. The cheapest and meanest food is
| provided, and that in meagre quantity the men,
women and children are herdcd together with
| little regard for decency and none at all for
comfort; and the sick are allowed To suffer and
| often to die for lack of proper hospital accom-
| modatons and medical care. The recent dis
closures as to the shameless neglect and even
positive barbanty with which immigrants have
been treated On these chartered steamships have
been revolving Legislation which will make
such disgraceful mismanagement impossible
hereafter is urgently needed. If the law Is so
strict as to break up the business of these make
shift companies altogether, and to contine the
transportation of immigrants to the lines which
have so much 10 lose that self interest if nothing
else will prevent the illtreatment OF passengers,
an important step will be gained.
Even if the number of immigrants should be
considerably reduced through the effects of the
proposed legislation, that may be ground for
satisfaction rather than regret. The reduction
will be in the classes whose coming is positive
injury to this country. 1t is an open question
whether the excessively low fares and the eX-
irene increase IN the number of vessels engaged
in the immigrant traffic have not done about as
much harm as good. The result has been a
neat expansion in the influx Of the most objec-
tionabe class of immigrants. No intcli-
gent citizen can consider without uneasi-
ness the rapid growth of the Italian quarter
in this city. Too many of the Italian i'm
migrants are the mere refuse of their native
land and their settling here is on evil and an
injury. They have no desire to become
American citizens OF in any way TO adapt them
selves to the customs and the character Of
the people among whom they have come TO
live They dwell rs a race apart and are "A
law unto themselves, the stiletiO being still
their fayOrltc means Of settling disputes.
OF the sort of immigrants that are
fit only for sweeping the streets
the multitude brought to these shores has been
far too great. OF the class whose ambition is
confined to the keeping Of dram-shops or beer
saloons there is mIschicvOus excess also.
II Italy has sent across the Atlantic
the dregs of her foulest cities, other
countries have also been much too ac-
tive in the expectation of. publlcans and
politicians. The immense food Of immigration
in the last two years has swept upon our
shores "a great deal that is offensive and dele
FERROUS. The men whose stout arms and
brave hearts have done and are doing
50 much ~ build III the Great West have