1943

PROTECTION TO IMMIGRANTS.

Section 9 of the Act of 1866, enacts "that it shall be un-
lawful for any agent, runner or solicitor, to visit vessels ar-
riving with immigrants on board for any purpose whatever,
until such immigrants have been seen and properly instructed
by the commissioner or his clerk, provided for in this
Act."

The obvious intention of this section is to afford protection
to immigrants landing at this port, whether in transitu or
for permanent settlement.

The power thus conferred upon the commissioner is alto-
gether inadequate for the proper prosecution of this impor-
tant branch of his duties. As has been before stated, the only
time allowed him for communicating with the immigrant,
is that intervening between his arrival and debarkation.
Once ashore he is beyond the control of the State's officer,
and is subjected not only to many annoyances, but acts of
positive fraud.

A reform in this department is greatly needed. Ample
protection is .no more than the immigrants landing upon our
shores have a right to expect. They are peculiarly helpless,
especially those unacquainted with our language and people,
will always toe found in every community base enough 'to
take advantage of this helplessness. Aside from humane
considerations, the State will be benefitted by it. An injury
to an immigrant is soon told by letter to his friends at home,
and the whole community is disparaged. In a like degree
the finding of ample protection with arrangements to facili-
tate his settlement here or to reach his destination beyond the
State, would, through- the same channel, favorably impress
those who are to follow.

The establishment of an immigrant depot, at which immi-
grant passengers should be compelled to report on their arri-
val, and the designation of a landing place, and one only, for
such passengers, in the vicinity of said depot would greatly
facilitate the operations of the commissioner in this branch
of his duties.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

W. R. COLE,
Commissioner of Immigration for the State of Maryland.