The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-05-15
they PRESENT A FINE APPEARANCE
HUSBANDS HERE FOR THEM ALL,
SAID THE COM1GIssIONER.
THEIR BRoeuE IS RICH AND RARE
OTHER IMMIGRANTS LOOK ON IN
DUMB AMAZEMENTs

You couldn't have helped saying It
was great day for Ireland, says New
York paper, if you had seen the host Of
Erin's fair daughters who sailed up the
New York bay the other morning and
captured Ellis Island. They came 915
strong and by nightfall were making
sorties in all directions over the coun-
try.
From the Giants Causeway in the
north to County Kerry in the south
they came, and the isle of Innisfail"
had no cause to be ashamed of them,
for a BONNER lot Of lasses never stepped
upon Columbia's shores.
These ruddy girls had come as the
first tide of summer immigration that
annually sets in from Ireland's shores
to this country, owing to the demand
for domestic servants caused by the
exodus to country homes. The tip had
been sent by relatives and friends,
most of whom were on hand to greet
the newcomers, who arrived on the
steamships Majestic, Servia and An
choria.
On Ellis Island Friday there passed
through the Gate of Freedom, as the
exit of the little picketed lane is called,
915 Irish lasses- best looking, best
clothed, neatest AMI most cheerful i'm
migrants this country has seen in years.
They ranged in age from 18 to Is, and
without exception passed every require
ment as to morality and cleanliness,
and satisfied the commissioners that
there was no danger of their becoming
charges on the public purse for future
support.
Sixty-five per cent of the entire num-
Der were what is known as prepaid"
passengers. Their tickets had been sent
them from this side. Two hundred and
fifty of them will go into domestic serv-
ice in the metropolitan district. Nearly
300 went to Boston Friday night. The
balance is scheduled for destinations in
the Middle and Western states. In May
there will come more than a thousand
other girls from Irish villages. The
cause of this invasion is the demand for
Irish girls for housemaids. The labor
employment bureau can place more than
1000 of proper character and fitness.
That their coming created sensation
on Ellis Island is the best tribute that
could be paid these girls. Their number
would have caused little comment in it.
self. It was their neatness of costume
and their modest, yet confident, man
ner, that marked them from the ordin-
ary immigrant. There were girls with
the fair hair and deep blue eyes Of the
western coast; girls with the dark hair
and the ruggedly honest cast of the far
north; peasant girls from Connaught
and few girls from the cities, but
every one of them open-faced and hope
full with the conviction that they were
coming to welcome.
The scene on Ellis Island before they
were put on board the ferries was
strongly suggestive of county fair.
About a thousand of their friends,
brothers and sisters of some and sweet
hearts and friends of others, had all got
permission to greet them. They Just
swarmed over the island, trampling
down the flower gardens and lifting out
of place the railings that usually separ-
ate the immigrant and the naturalized.
DR.. Senner and Deputy Commissioner
McSweeney said they could not feel it
in their hearts to restrain such greetings
as were given. Other immigrants looked
on in wonder and listened to the rare,
rich brogue which filled the air. AS
sistant immigration Commissioner Nc
Sweeny said that there would likely be
10000 more Irish girls come to this
country this year than in any other
year since 1883. Several other vessels
will arrive shortly with big crowds Of
them. :; .~z-
The girls had presents Of blackthorns
for their brothers and lovers, and bits
of lace and knittings of woolen for
IU01A SASIC1S, a4U 1OuS US1OIo Iu0 uF6I
hundred had passed inspection each one
was wearing some token from the other.
Father Henry, Of the Mission of the
Holy Rosary, who is always on hand
to direct or counsel the immigrant girl,
and to give the shelter and protection
of the mission. to the friendless, was
more than pleased at the character of
the girls. He said they were far beyond
the ordinary, and in this he was unant-
mously indorsed by the Commissioners.
Commissioner Senner was especially
pleased to see. the girls. The sudden
rush is unusual this year" he said,
.'but I am very glad to see it. We want
more Uf these people, particularly the
women. There are husbands for every
one Of them. sss.
Assistant commisaio ioner Of Immisrar