New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-11
TT MUST BE ENFORCED.
STEAMSHIP MEN AND THE NEW LAW.
M EXACT THE PENALTY FOR ALLOWING

no EXACT THE PENALI1 rOts hh1N''~-
BARRED IMMIGRANTS TO LAND.
Tho steamship companies have finally awakened 70 u
r.azation that the immigration law is 70 DC o'
forced Yesterday meeting OF REPRESENTATIVES, ",
all tho principal steamship lines was hed az NO 40
p,oadway TO consider the situation. Colohei "eDe'
Was invited to be present. and he accepted. e
s..amsb,p company agents made the point that uo
u,es were under contract with such passengers 10
they took to land them in this country, ana Ve -
n,e were not allowed to land, the companies "o.'
liable TO an action for breach Of contract IN "o
tries from whose ports the steamers salioN' ,~,-
they said that they had no fscltes ior ~ 10
immigrants from landing who hao poe~i Pc. -.
hoard their ships for return to the por'S "n -. -
.me They also doubted their legal right 70 restrain
anv person from going ashore who msisVeu upo"
doing so. A.. al. ,our ,yas not
made for the benefit OF the steamship cohp'''oS Wv
for the benefit of the country ana ,a' :. woo ~.o
..ion q, tho law that companies bringing improper
.e'.i '. 49, should suffer trouble and loss. II
ao,nan,es exercised proper care as TO the class OF
u,rrants their steamships brought to these shores'
. would he no trouble for any one, but the Govern
,nent did not propose any longer 10 alo" s'eaii'p
comnanies TO bring the refuse OF Europe hero al"
to,st upon the Government all the trouble ana eA-
n.nse Of OBTAINING and returning such people Inc
law WINS explicit and must DC ooe'eo' Vi ''0
muss take the consequences.
The agents then said that they would Willingly ta"s
The doharred immigrants back II they could be detained
a. tho Barge Office pending the sailing OF inc
s+e.mer on which they were TO be returned ana
committee was appointed which will wait on Colonel
Wcber on Monday to propose some plan OF COM
nromise Compromise is not possible, however, and
Tho following letter received by Colonel Weber yes
teray shows that the Department is in earnest In Its
attempts to stop Objectionable immigration
Treasury Department Office of the Secretary,
washington, D. c.. April 9.
The Hon. John t. Weber Superintendent oil Hniera"0h
New-YorS City. A..
9TH inst stating that You had been Informed that tree
.d vnior,nts properly delivered by your officers TO
the custody OF the captain OF the vessel had eseapeu
the steamer Iniziatva which was TO nave saleu oi ~
9th and YOU inquired whether under section lu OF ue
recent amendatory act clearance OF the Vesei can DC
held or whether fine prescribed by that section must
first be imposed by the court
In reply a telegram sent to you this cay IN inc
following words: fine must first be imposed under
the law before clearance can be refused"
have 70 add that said section 10 makes Nolu'ioh
y, ,he acton "a misdemeanor It follows that there must
he TRIAL according TO law TO determine "hether Ine
accused was guilty OF misdemeanor and consequently
action must be had and the prescribed ne must oe I'M
posed by court before cleafahceS VI 'ne N0'''A W Wv
can be refused.
Won are instructed to report this Immediately 10
the United States Attorney for prosecution under the law
and IL suggested the interests OF the Government
require that the case shall be prosecuted with as htue
delay as possible. Respectfully, yours
o. L. SPAULDING, Assistant Secretary.
Colonel Weber yesterday reported to the Dstifct
Attorney the case OF the steamship Burgundla rom
capped. Action against her agents VIII DC 'ahoh a'
once.