New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01
d" SOUP TICKETS
TIERS OF INTRODUCTION - CAUTION
NEEDED IN HONORING THEM.

Among all the many evils OF the social system
OF the present day there is none that cries more
loudly for remedy than the abuse OF letters
of introduction and in view Of the fact that the
annual influx OF foreign visitors has begun and
that the hospitabe people on this side Of the wa
ter constitute the target Of many such missives,
q few words on the subject may perhaps be con-
sidered as being Of timely interest by the read
ers OF The Tribune.
Leaving the immigrant element out of the ques-
ton, the foreigners who land on these shores for
the first time may be broadly divided into TWO
classes. namely. those who are uneXcepuonaolA
and those who are not. Unfortunately, they are
both plentif, furnished with letters Of intro
duction and as a general rule II is the least de-
sirable visitor who is the most bountifully
equipped in this respect and whose letters are
the most warm and ELUSIVE in their recommen-
dalton. 1t is left for the persons to whom these
missives are addressed TO distinguish for them
selves the tares from the wheat and to find out
often to their litter cost-who are the foreign
ers 10 be welcomed and who to be avoided
People appear 20 have just little conscience
and honesty in giving letter OF introduction
as they manifest in writing out good character
FOR a bad servant Perhaps there is TO a certain
degree. the same influence at work in both cases.
namely a good-natured wish to afford the in
d!vidual in whose favor the letter or character
is written every chance TO redeem his past short
comings And after ALL" one feels disposed TO
add 'let VI. or y. Ghe person TO whom the
letter Is addressed) find out for himself. That
is his lookout: not mine" We are far too apt
10 forget that by furnishing man with letter
OF introduction We become morally responsible
for his good and honorable behavior-at least
toward the people 10 whom the recommendation
is addressed If this remembered little
oil h. rule hat X ST. a
many Of the clubs Of holding the introducer Of
any stranger accountable. financially or other
wise for his guest or visitor could be adopted by
society al large and enforced there would be
far fewer stories current OF warm-hearted and
hospitable persons being let in" by means Of
letters OF Introduction.
OF course. there is something to be said in ex-
tenuation II the !ndscretiOn OF the writers OF the
sbove-named letters. II is difficult to refuse
a request for introduction. a man whom you
accustomed l. inset occasionally in society,
but who is only d mere acquaintance. and about
whose antecedents or character you know little
nothing, comes TO you. vouschafes the infor-
nation that he is off for a trip 10 the States.
and pleads for an introduction TO this and that
American friend whose hospitality and kindness
10 yourself he remembers having heard YOU de-
scribe. II is by no means easy. nay. il is almost
impossible. 10 decline without making an enemy
OF the man. Indeed. refusal would be con-
sidered as equivalent 10 the cut direct" and on
the Continent Of Europe. al any rate. would as
likely as not lead TO demand for satisfaction
and 10 duel.
A delicate-ninded man would Of course. take
hint and not press for letter If he perceived
any reluctance to furnish him one but unfortu-
nately ii is precisely the individual for whom
YOU are the most dis!nclined to write recon-
menda ton who possesses the least delicacy and
who is the most impervious TO hints Of any
kind CONSCIENTIOUS people, when they have their
hand forced liz this way by persons whom they
either fear or positively know % be unworthy Of
their recommendation. take the precaution Of
sending by mail letter explaining the circum
stances under which the letter OF Introduction
was written and warning the person 10 whom II
was addressed not 10 honor 1t with too much
consideration But in the majority Of cases this
extremely necessary warning is omitted and the
recipients Of the soup ticket (as letters Of in
PRODUCTION are popularity called in the Orient and
at the Antipodes) are left TO find out for them
selves. and best they may. whether the mis-
sives are hde the reverse.
AS have stated above, it Is the least desirable
visitor who generally brings the warmest. most
effusve and enthusiastic recommendations
This is because. in nine out Of ten. he is
q
Of the water the writer of the letter included Of
course. wish to get rid cf-a black sheep. in fact.
whom they are by no means sorry to shunt to
other shoulders They wish TO expatrate him
at the smallest possible expense 10 themselves.
so in lieu CT money. they give him letters Of in
PRODUCTION which they him will cOnsti-
tute infinitely more advantageous start in the
New World than mere cash. the practical in
ference. however being that they prefer him 10
take the money OF their transatlantic friends
and acquaintance instead Of theirs. II must be
borne in mind that indecaces in money matters,
TO call them by worse name are the cause OF
the majority Of those otherwise incOmprehensble
expatriations Other faults do not entail the latter.
and some. such as implication in a sensational
divorce suit. rather add TO a mans prestige than
otherwise. and consequently also 10 his powers
OF turning his good" name 10 financial account.
For gracious sake. get him out Of the country
before he disgraces US again is ever the cry con-
corning the black sheep OF the family. and what
more eff1cacious method Of achieving this than
sending him off TO America where he has
chances Of swimming lich he would not en-
iov anywhere else. not even in Australia At
RIGA and where if ne does sink at home
need be the wiser? Among the chances of swim ,
ming" are. first and foremost. that OF winning a
rich American bride with so many dollars that
their very abundance will Obterate any memory
OF past errors This is naturally what all his
kinsfolk and friends hope for as the best possible
solution for the difficulties which his misconduct
has created. and II Is with this object IN view
that they do not hesitate 10 provide him with all
the introductiOns that they can obtain for him.
Failing rich marriage, they still hope that he
will find on this side Of the water some generous
and kind-hearted people who Will open their
houses and their purses 70 him, and thus pre-
serve him from actual want. This Is but an
other reason for furnishing him with proper
recommendations They do not want 10 or can
not give him any more money. out they do not
wish him to siarve. so they address him 10
others and thus II he dOSs end by starving. they
feel that their conscience is completely at rest
and that IL is not they who are 10 be blamed
For have they not laid all responsibility OF the
mo,ter unon their good American friends and
acQuaintances?
Resident in this country I share in a great