The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-29
UNWELCOME IMMIGRANTS.
Facts Concerning the English System of
Sending Worxh0use People to America.
New York Mcrld

Facts Concerning the English System of
Sending Worlxh0use People to America
New York Wcrld.
/ Additional facts relative to the system by
which the British government is pouring the
workhouSe people of Ireland into America
were procured from Michael Walsh. Walsh
is a tall well-built man. with great broad
shoulders, and carries himself erect He was
coarsely dressed, but neat in appearance and
appears to be a man who has seen better
days Although an Irishman, he speaks ex-
cellent English, only slight brogue being
noticed in his speech. He talks inteligently
and writes legible round hand. He went
to the Garden early yesterday morning for
assistance for himself and family, consisting
OF wife and one boy, ten years old, to go to
Chicago, where he has relatives, who, he says
are comfortably well off. He was sworn and
testified that he is native Of Thomastown,
Kilkenny county, Ireland, but has been in
the workhouse in Tralee, Kerry county,
Tor the past six years. The superintend-
ent OF the workhouse, John Sullivan,
asked him if he would emigrate to
America He was satisfied to come here il
he would be sent to his relatives in Chicago
This request was promised him, and with
many others, about thirty-seven persons in
all, who were all inmates of the said work
house. he and his family were sent to
Queenstown, where the whole party took
passage on the National-line steamer Spain,
which arrived here on Saturday last. The
whole number came on one ticket which
was given to one of the party named Law
renee Sheehan, with instructions to deliver
1t to the purser of the vessel. This ticket
was given Sheehan by the shipping agent of
the National Line at Queenstown, who also
gave Walsh a money order on the line in this
city for 60 los Id. They gave him no tickets
to his destination, and he, having his suspi-
clOnS in regard to the matter was told when
ne snake to ()Uinlon that a nf 10 Va
tional Line in this city would forward him
to Chicago He had the check cashed in
this city, but was told he must pay his own
fare 10 Chicago His funds were not suiti-
cient to pay the fare, and he endeavored to
get a situation here in order to earn enough
money to defray his expenses to his destina-
ton. He was unsuccessful, and now all his
money is gone for clearinghouse expenses.
He die not know how his work house COM
panions were treated, with the single excep-
ton of Sheehan, who is now somewhere in
this city with little money and no prospects.
When asked if he did not know that he had
been deceived, he said he knew it only too
well.
Il don't know what to think of the British
government" said Walsh. II have been in
the British army in active service for fifteen
years and on reserve duty for eight years. |
was, and still consider myself member of
the Second battalion, Twentieth regiment
infantry. | went to the work house because
| had to choose between that and starvation.
| never received pension from the govern
ment, and never expect to. During the eight
years | have been on reserve duty have
never been with my regiment. 1 have never
received any notification that l was dismissed
from the regiment, and would therefore
answer a call, because l still consider myself
member, | have travelled over South
America, Australia. and greater portion of
Europe with the colors but have never be-
fore been in the United States. | only wish
to get to Chicago, where l know l can get
along. I have no profession. but, as you see,
l am strong and ready, and if l can get
situation l am sure l can provide for myself
and family"