New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-14
PICKING OUT THE P4UPERS.
IMMIGRANTS IDEAS OF AMERICA.
An ITALIAN LAporEn SAVING MONEY ON 81 25 A

.x,r.r,.x ,.porrr SAVING MONEY ON 81 25 A
DAY AND NOT WISHING FOR MORE
The Congressional Committee on Immigration spent
yesterday at Castle Garden inspecting ana examining
over ZOO Italian immigrants who had Just arrived on
tho Elysia OF the Anchor Line. and britannia. OF the
Fabre Line They Gar above the average In APP
and intelligence yet ont OF less than 700 who
underwont the preliminary examination. some fifty
doubtful ones wero found These, Acting Chairman
Gunther examined minutoly Before taking IN the
Investigation of the Italians, however, he examined
Ernest Behncke Prussan who had arrived at Castle
Garden on saturday Behncke could not speak word
of English, and confessed that he had no friends in
,hs country His seven children. ranging In age from
seven 10 seventeen, were brought before tho committee
The man testified that he had been partially dependent
on HIS brother who had furnished him tho for
tho MASSAGE of himself and children. He had only
$50 Tho agent In Hamburg from whom he had
purchased the tickets had assured him that he would
secure work Immediately upon arriving hero. The
was detained for the reason that be seemed likely to be-
come public charge He did not appear to be strong
and was rot used TO manual labor.
WORK PROMISED TO EVERY MAN
OF the Italians examined the greater part had been
for by some cousin, brothcr-inlaw friend who
had sent them prepaid ticket. Work had boon
promised to all of them soon as they should
rive Barely did one of them have ten francs,
while many were without cent No amount OF cx-
animation could force of them TO say that he
had come under contract Tho promise OF
work, they explained, was assurance on the part
of some relative that there was plenty OF work at
good wages They all expected to go back TO Italy
again they had accumulated small sum
of money one two hundred dollars. Two or
three who were examined had been to the United
states before and had returned to live In comfort with
their people, After wasting or being robbed of their
little fortunes they seeking new ones. Their
ideas of the condition of affairs in the United States
were mover enough to add little amusement TO tho
routine Of the investigation. All were agreed that
morey here was TO DO had without any effort. Some
of those who had been in America before thought
that the country was ruled by president" Just
what kind of sovereign president was they were
not so sure. As rule those who werc questioned
thought that in the United States, in Italy, there
was a King at the head Of the Government. One
man who had lived in this country for six years
had taken out his first naturalization papers. lie
was certain that he was to be allowed to vote some
day for the King
LIVING ON TWENTY FIVE CENTS A DAY.
Tho most important examination was that of Michel
Mollnaro. He had lived in America five years until
last November when he had gone to Italy to visit his
family. He was going back 10 Pennsylvania TO work
there In the coal mines. lie testified that working
for 81 % day he had always been able TO send home
SIS month TO his family He said that he could
live well for 25 cents day. lie had always been
satisfied with that and had always had everything that
could live as cheaply here in Italy for he could
eat meat here where it only cost cents pound,
whereas in Italy such a luxury, costing 60 cents
pound, out Of the question
over twenty-five Italians were examined under
oath as TO the conditions under which they In
duccd TO come to America, and TO the wages they
had received I'm Italy their of living there, ard
the work and wages they seeking in the.I nited
States The effectiveness OF the work of the com
mittec was hampered by the lack Of members present
General Spinola had promised 10 be present yesterday
for the first time. but he sent word that he was Ill.
The committee viii meet again to-day al the West
minister Hotel.
TO TEST IMMIGRANT LAWS IN THE COURTS.
Tho case OF Ernest Behncke, the immigrant who
landed from the steamship Slavonia Sunday
companicd b. his family of children was .es,er
day referred to Collector Magone for his decision
whether the should be allowed TO remain in this
country or be sent back TO Europe the ground that
he or his children might become a charge uron the
state The Collector decided that the family must be
sent back on the steamer, and warned Superintendent
Jackson to that effect. The steamship company Will
today take steps TO contest this decision the ground
mat the man Is ablo-bodicd, willing TO work and a
rauper having money $50, sufficient for his immediate