American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 29, 9 November 1888, Page 3

Americ an Notes.

The inquiry appointed by Congress into the labour of immigrants and its effects upon that of the native population, has brought to light a very wretched state of affairs. In th« Italian department especially outrageous hardships have been revealed, culminating in a complete system of slavery maintained by one particular contractor. This is a naturalised citizen of the States, named Vincenzo Palumbo who, owing to the treatment given by him to the men ia his employment, is looked upon as a desperado in bis infringement of the law. The men engaged by him were each obliged at the outset to pay five dollars for the engagement, and were then treated, to all intents and purposes, as prisoners. Women, however, have aho testified to extreme pressure ; some of the witnesses examined being in the habit of rising at three o'clock in the morning, and working until ten or eleveu at night to earn a sum of forty or fifty cents. In the cigarmaking trade again, which has been almost completely taken out of the hands of the American workmen, it is stated that, on pretence of doing a work of charity, some years ago, several of the manufacturers combined and brought out Jewish refugees from Russia. The result has been to reduce wages to a level at which no American workman could possibly live, but at which the unfoitunate foreigners are forced to labour if they would avoid absolute starvation. It is proved in fact, that a state of things exists which imperatively calls for amendment. It is vain for the advocates of protection to resist the lowering of the tariff, while in the heart of the country a system of freetrade virtually exists, against which it is impossible for the American workingman to contend, and which, besides, must have demoralising effects generally. As an instance of the moral standing of the manufacturers in whose benefit the system is maintained, it may be added that, in some cases, employees were discharged by them for telling the truth under examination on oath before the commission of inquiry.

The condition of things revealed by the commission of enquiry into foreign labour must seem anomalous indeed, as considered in relation to the demonstrations made on September 3rd — ur Labour Day as it is called. The occasion in question was the second anniversary, and it was celebrated in all the principal towns of the States. A precession took place, in every city, of the various labour organisations and in every instance the importance of the workingmau was made evident. No reflective looker-on could avoid the thought that these were the men in whose hands the destinies of the country lay. No one, moreover, of ordinary powers of observation could avoid seeing in the fine appearance of the men, and their inelependent bearing and manly demeanour that the country could not be in better hands. Whatever abuse?, therefore, may creep in unawares, or evea run an unhappy course, confidence must still be maintained, and the certainty that every evil will eventually and in its turn be remedied. This bringing of the working-men together and enabling tbem to see their own power, and how capable they are as a whole of using it for the public benefit, cannot fail to have salutary effects. Labour Day, therefore, bids fair not to be the least useful among American institutions'.

The President's letter accepting the nomination, a second lane to the Presidency contains a very patriotic programme of intentions, He speaks of his experience in the Presidency as having impiepscd him with the great responsibilities of the position, while it has quickened his love for American institutions. The necessities oi the position, he adds, involve the protection and maintenance of American rights, both at home and abroad. TheEe, he says, mc ude the following : A sound financial system ; lhe defence of the national safety and maintenance of the national honour ; the protection and preservation of the national domain ; a recognition of the value of American labour ; the limitation and check of monopolistic tendencies ; provision for surviving soldiers and sailors, as well as for the widows and orphans of those who have die 1;—1 ;— protection; — protection against an injurirun servile immigration ; adherence to the principles of civil .service ieform ; a guarantee of all their rights of citizenship to coloured citizens ; a firm and humane Indian policy ; the introduction of economical methods in every department of government. All ibc3e points, adds Mr. Cleveland, aie contained in the Democratic platform, which he endorsee. He then goes on to explain bis views, as to the tariff, whose reduction, he explains, is absolutely called for to remove an injust imposition of taxation on the people. The surplus revenue he says, not only gives conclusive proof ef exorbitant taxation, but withdraws a vast sum from the circulation needed in the channels of trade and business. — As a matter of course, Mr. Cleveland's supporters declare that his explanation of how the matter is to be adjusted is all that it should be and has no bearing whatever on the introduction of free-trade. But, do less as a matter of course, Mr. Cleveland s opponents declare that his proposals mean dbath to protection, and must be opposed by every possible meane.

Mr. Blame's visit to Europe has piven him great advantages ai a prop of the Republican party. He has returned brimming over with statistics as to the condition of thiDgs in the European labour market, which is supposed to represent what it would be in the States also were freetrade to carry the day. Mr. Blaina professes himself sure of the country from the Pacific coast to the eastern borders of Ohio, and looks for the brunt of the fight to take place in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The victor^, meantime, in Maine, where the State elections have resulted in a Republican victory, with a majority of over 20,000, has been the source of fresh prestige to Sir. Blame, a 9 to his personal influence and efforts the victory is in a great degree attututed. Protection was the issue ef lhe contest.

The immigration from Ireland for the year ending June 30 reached at o tai of 73,238, the total for last year being 68,130, The number of

immigrants from, all countries, the Germans preponderating, was ; the whole number for last year being 483,116. But it is evident that a country capable of receiving annually so great an increase of population from without must possess immense resources. This is a fact, moreover, on which the friends of protection may found strong arguments in support of their theories.

The party that goes by the name of the " American party,'" or would gj by such a name if it were worth a name at all, held a convention the other d^y in Wasbicgton for the purpose of nominating a President of its own, and do.ng away al'ogether with the great parties laiiherto existing in the Republic. One of the chief pLiuks in the platform of the party, unwoithy of a name, is the exclusion of foreigners from the country, and, as amongst its members are to be found tha " British American Association," the class of foreigners proposed for especial exclusion may be easily divined. The lact, moreover, that Mayor Hewitt of New York was identified with the party and looked upon as its favourite candidate, speaks volumes in itself. The result of the convention, however, was a row, the hall being packed with the members of another party instructed to vote for one Mr. J. L. Curtis, also of New York butuaknowa to fame, and who was actually placed above Mayor Hewitt by a majority of 30. The conclusion therefore has been to make Mayor Hewitt a little more contemptible, if possible, than before, and to prove completely the non-existence of a party deserving of the name of the " American Party."

The outbreak of yellow fever at Jacksonville, Florida, is causing a scare all though the South. The fever as yet is uf a comparatively mild type, but, as the weather is unfavorable, an increase in its malignity is feared. Great complaints are made of the management of the camp of refuge formed outside the town, and, if one half of the reports of exposure to rain, bad food, and rough usage arc true, the means taken to escape the illness must be nearly as painful and hardly lees dangerous than the illness itself. The amusing details) given of disinfecting the prisoners in the county by obliging them to wash themselves with a certain solution, do not speak very creditably of prison discipline — the stories told relating to the condition of dirt in which the prisoners were and their unwillingness to change it for a more cleanly one. Ihe nuns, meantime, are as usual to the fore. — The Sisters of St. Joseph have been brought in from St. Augustine and are in close attendance on the sick, from whose bedsides they do not even withdraw to say their prayers. The November frosts are anxiously looked for as the only thing likely to check the pestilence.