The record-union., 1891-02-22
CARRY THEM BACK
IF They Landed They Would Be-
come a Burden.
What the Alien Commissioner at the
Port of Boston Does When Ship
Comes In-weeding Out the Unde-
sirable Element.
rFrom the Boston Globe.1 /

sioner to a Globe reporter, as they were
watching the slow approach of a large
ocean steamer from the windows of the
office at the foot of Long Wharf. "There
is perhaps more downright misery and
physical suffering that come under our
notice during years time than is seen
by the whole Boston police force; and our
contact with criminals and lunatics, paul
pers and idiots is of daily occurrence"
81 don't suppose that all your business
is transacted with the miserable and un-
Fortunate" ventured the reporter.
mo, but as they are the class of which
we are in search, it follows of necessity
that they are the most prominent with
US. You see how it is, for many years
America has been considered legitimate
cesspool for the countries OF Europe, into
which they may discharge their moral,
social and physical refuse; consequently,
hundreds of thousands of criminals and
paupers have been in the past landed
upon our shores, to become a nuisance
and finally burden to the law-abiding
citizens of the United States. Now, how
ever, things are a little different, and
foreign officials sometimes feel greatly
chagrined to find the convict or beggar,
of whom they thought to be forever rid,
simply paying the price Of q steerage
passage across the Western ocean, forced
back again upon their hands to support,
until at the present day the number of
these obnoxious characters is much
smaller than it was few years ago.
This, however, is not due to any
change of heart of the European au-
thorities, but to the fact that the vessels
which bring passengers OF this descrip-
ton are obliged to carry them back free
of charge, and the masters also are
placed under bond of 81 900 each for the
safe keeping of such individuals as are
refused a permit to land. This is in
order that the vessel which has brought
them shall look to their whereabouts and
not allow them to escape, to become a
prey upon the long suffering public.
''lt is not with the refuse foreign popu-
iation that we have wholly to deal, but
with some of the citizens of neighboring
towns and States, for you must know
that each county must provide for its
own INDECENT and helpless; consequently
when such happen to float into this dis
trict they are promptly returned to those
who are
RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SUPPORT"
Just at that moment the door of the
office opened and neatly dressed gentle
man entered. After shaking hands with
the Commissioner, he began, with a
smile:
'What kind of character was that
you sent out to my house the other day?"
"Why, wasn't she all right? She
looked to be bright and intelligent,
though, perhaps, little old for kitchen
girl
''Yes, she seemed straightforward, and
my wife was very much pleased with her
appearance; but she turned out to be as
crazy as March hare"
''Why, how is that? I failed to detect
any signs of insanity about her. What
did she do?''
I,n laI la,- al ~.
middle of the floor, touched match to it.,
and then came rushing down stairs, call
:. ing out that the devil had appeared to
'~her and was in her room,' and begged of
me TO go and lay the spirit"
Lucky she called YOU" said the Com
missioner. "Where is the girl now?'
''That's more than l can say. She left
the house early in the morning, and has
not been seen since"
''I'm sorry. Shall have to look into
her case. She will turn up, however, be-
fore long and then we shall have to send
her back home to her folks.''
Its too bad," remarked the gentle
man, but if you happen to run across
another whom you think will be good
wish you'd let me know
"All right, but you must remember
that we don't keep an intelligence Office,
although sometimes we are able to find a
good situation for needy young
woman"
''Naell, do the best you can. Good
day!" and the stranger left the office.
There" said the Commissioner, ''you
see how it is. This woman arrived in the
steamer -, from Queenstown. She was
apparently bright and intelligent for her
class. She had some money, paid her
own passage, and was provided with
papers showing that she was possessed OF
small income; consequently we could
not prohibit her landing. Now I am
afraid she is fraud -
And the officer sighed. Then rising he
put on his coat and hat, saying: Come on
and We'll board that steamer She will
just about be in dock by the time we get
there''
When the foot of the stairs was reached
however, the way was blocked by three
men.
''HULLoA, MY SON."
Exclaimed the official as he shook hands
with one of the party. Where have you
been this long time? Pm glad to SET
YOU
''Oh, I've been lecturing on the mai
formation of rats" and the individual
addressed drew himself up, assuming ;
dignitied air.
''Au right. that's good. You just ster
up stairs and wait till [ come back. Wei
have an engagement for you tonight"
With this the two keepers and theil
charge (for such it was) climbed up th,
dingy stairs, while the Commissioner anC
his companion headed for East Boston.
''rhat chap" said the Commissioner
''belongs to the State of Connecticut t
take care of, SO we've got to send hin
there"
The gang-plank had Just been hauled
to the rail of the steamer when the docl
was reached, and the two men went OF
board.
The Commissioner called for the passen
ger list, and as the vessel had brought NJ
one in the cabin the attention of the Off
Ger was concentrated upon the steerage
All hands, men, women and children
were mustered on deck, and the ex
animation was begun. They were ar
ranged in family groups, and the head
of each closely questioned.
s'W hat Is your name?'
"Thonlas Swintou."
s'Where are you from?"
County Connemara''
'Wife and three children, Ell? Wheri
are they?"
Here, SIR" and the proud, yet appre
hensive father introduced the partner O
his joys and sorrows, who was standing
by with the children.
One, a lad perhaps eight years, was seel
to be supplied with crutch.
All! What's the matter..with the littl
boy?',
Hes lame, sir, and has been that wa,
ever since he was wee bit of a thing" ant
as the attention of the officer seemed to b
particularly drawn to the little cripple,
look OF deep concern overspread the face
of the parents.
''Where are you going?' was asked.
At this the man producd prepai'
ticket TO Denver, Col
ssWIlat do you do for living ?',
eel works in the fields, sir''
'I sea laborer. Haveyou any friend
or relatives in Denver?''
'.Yes, sir. ] have first cousin.''