The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-11-23
The w. G. T. U. and Hon. Herman
Stump.

The following letter. etc, from Hon. Herman
STUMP fully explains the reasons why beer Is sold
nj Ellis Island y. y.
Treasury Department
Office of CommissiOner-Ceneml of immigration,
Washington, d. C., Nov H. lS!1
NJ. H. i. Hanna, Secretary CHRISTIAN EHdcdr0r Union,
Bel Air, HnLTOTd COHiHH, Nd.
SIR: | am in receipt of your favor of the Sth
instant inclosing copy of resolution passed by your
Union on the 18th ultimO, recting that Miss Sophia
Grubb National Superintendent of the Department
of Foreign immigration, had stated that the efforts
of the W. C. r. L., for helping immigrants, landing
al Ellis Island, have been antagonized and frus-
tmted by the six saloons which greet them on ar
rival: that the President of the United States and
the Secretary of the Treasury have no jurisdiction
&C. and protesting To me against their further con-
tinuance.
In reply have TO state that the original contract
entered into between the Secretary of the Treasury
and Felix Livingston the 29th day of April 1879,
contained the following provision: That no spirit
Gus or fcrmented liquors should be sold on Ellis
Island"
There is no water there, and it was subsequently
represented that that brought and pumped into the
cisterns became brackish and unwhoesome; that the
soft drinks for sale, such ginger ale soda and
sarsaparia were diSaSteful to the immigrants, who
purchased one or the other in many eases, under
the impression that it was American larger beer;
that those arriving from most foreign countries are
accustomed to the use of beer and light wines as
part of their daily nOuriShment, instead of water
aud that the granting of this privilege, if properly
guarded would result benefcially and protect them
from the imposition Of deleteriouS drugs
on the eth of July 1898. the privilege o.. selling
beer from month to month was therefore granted
by the Secretary experiment, under such rules
and regulations as should be approved reyOcable
at any time upon complaint ofits abuse whenever
he should conclude that the privilege should not
have been granted. The rules and regulations are
as follows -
No beer shall be sold to the watchmen, engin
or tiremen employed on Ellis Island.
The sale of beer To persons employed on Ellis
Island. while on duty is absolutely forbidden and
prohibited,
No beer shall be sold to any of the employees
Ellis Island except at the restaurant, and ther
only at meals, i'll such quantity and no more as is
actually consumed at each meal
Beer shall be sold i'll bottles only, and the sale
/ of draught beer is forbidden.
The price of beer sold to immigrants shall mo-
exceed the of ten 0) cents for each bottle sold
! The sale of beer to detained immigrants is for
hidden, except at such times they may desire t
/ purchase the same while taking such meals i'll suci
quantity as is actually consumed at the each meal
Z The Commissioner of immigration reserves the
right to amend change add to, alter these rules
! The Commissioner ofImmgIation reserves anc
has the right forbid prevent the sale of bee
at any time without notice to the party of the sec
! ond part mentioned in the foregoing contract.
! . The sale of all other spirituous or termentet
liquors on said Island is hereby strictly forbidden
/ and prohibited.
In conclusion have to state that there are III
saloons on Ellis Island that no spirituous liquor
/ are allowed to be sold, and beer only under tn
regulations referred to- that after investigation a
the request of Miss Grub no abuses of this priv
! lege were found The immigrants, as rule, afte
examination, leave Mt once for their destinations
and if yOn could rescue them from the vile dens o
niquity into which they are beguiled after leaving
you would be performing work commended b
| God and man.
This Bureau invites members of your Union
come to the Island and join the Missionaries of tn
various Christian Churches in the good work tha
they daily accomplish in relieving the spiritual an
temporal wants of immigrants in distress and shout
any abuse Of tie privilege of selling beer be disco'
ered or II it be shown that 1t Is prejqdiclal to tn
cause of temperance it will be promptly revoked
Whilst not member OF your Association you ma
rest assured will do nothing to antagonlze c
Illustrate your efforts but would rather assist you
your endeavors and so informed Miss Grubb whe
saw her last Respectfully yours,
HERMAN STUMP, Commissioner Genera