Speech #460087093

William F. Havemeyer. and David C. Colden. eminent. philauthropic. and distinguished citizens of New York. together with the mayors of New York and Brooklyn. the president of the Irish Emigrant Society. and the president of the German society. who were made members of the board by virtue of their offices. The board of commissioners is now appointed by the governor. subject to the confirmation of the senate. The operations of this board extend throughout the State. and embrace in the city two great establishmentf: One at Wards Island. opposite the city. the site of the State Emigrant Refuge and Hospital in the district which I have the honor to represent. The otherCastle Gardenis an extensive inclosure at the foot of the city under the exclusive control of the board of eommissioners. where all the immigrants who arrive at the port of New York are landed. and which thus receives threefourths of all the immigrants that arrive in the United States. It took eight years for this energetic board to so far overcome the prejudices of the public and the fierce opposition of the [organized band of plunderers and thieves as to be able to secure this place. which was done in 1855. It is enough to say that here the immigrants are protected from the corruption and depredations of panderers. plunderers. and thieves. that they here receive counsel. care. and assistance. that their property is protected. their friends discovered. their purposes ascertained. and the way to their destination pointed out. What a mother is to her child. this board and its servants are to helpless. ignorant atrangera1 many of whom do not understand the English language. After nearly thirty. years the powers of this board were paralyzed by the decision of the Supreme Court to which I have referred. and the whole subject was by that tribunal recommended to the considoration and control of Congress. The court does not. it is true. declare that the board is unconstitutional or illegal. but it does declare that the exacting of bonds from masters. owners. or consignees of vessels to indemnify the State..as provided by her laws. is uncdnstitutional. Mr. Chairman. the duty of Congress in this matter is threefold: To protect the community from foreign paupers. lunatics. and criminals. to shield the worthy immigrants from the rapacity and corruption to which they are exposed. and at the same time to achieve these results without retarding or discouraging immigration. Now. this bill has all these objects In view. and it contemplates effecting them by the appropriation of a general fund in lieu of the old and unconstitutional "beadmoney." which really came out of the immigrants. although ostensibly paid by the steamship companies. There is no mode since the Supreme Court decision. except by Federal law. by which to guard Immigrants against those who would prey upon them and.protect our people from the refuse of foreign prisons and poorhouses. The bill. Mr. Chairman. appropriates $250.000 for the purposes therein mentioned. and I shall propose to afsend it as it was reported by the chairman of the Comwitteeon Foreign Affairs so that it will authorize the governors of the States. together with the Secretary of the Treasury. to select the institutions which may take charge of immigrants requiring their care or maintenance. and will. furthermore. enable the Secretary of the Treasury to inquire into the management of these institutions and the mode and manner of the treatment of immigrants therein. The necessity of securing the landing of immigrants at Castle Garden. was so apparent that the passage of a special act of the Legislature was secured by the board of commissioners in 1855 authorizing them to compel their landing at Castle Garden. which alone enabled the commissioners to effectually guard and protect the immigrants. Prior to this. as early as 1847. the Legislature appointed a committee. in reference to this very subject. This is the report they made.