Page:Immigration and the Commissioners of Emigration of the state of New York.djvu/89

Rh that the price paid in New York for passage included all their luggage; the runners in New York encourage them in that belief; Smethurst's agents, I presume, do the same; Smethurst employed runners in New York; I think in almost all cases passengers are displeased and disappointed when they are called upon to pay for their luggage; they say that they have already paid it, and insist upon it that they have done so; Smethurst exacts pay of them, and in some instances detains their luggage till he is paid; his charges are such as suit him, without reference to the convenience or will of the passenger; the exaction is arbitrary and must be paid, if the passenger has the means; when a passenger refuses to go on to his place of destination, Smethurst never refunds the money already paid; if a passenger who contracts for a passage to Chicago pays enough to go to Buffalo, and leaves the rest unpaid, he is never permitted to go beyond Albany till the balance is paid."

The most important evidence is that of Mr. Neligan. He says: "My attention has been called to many cases of fraud practised on American citizens, equally flagrant with those upon foreigners, some of which have, already received the attention of your Committee. I will only mention a few more.

"Amasa Prescott, of Belfast, Me., paid $40 for two passengers from Boston to Milwaukee, by railroad to Buffalo, and cabin passage on the lakes. These tickets were refused at Albany, but an offer was made to convey him by canal and steerage on the lake, which would make a difference of $16. This statement was made by Prescott to Senator Beach. I do not know how he settled it, as I did not see him afterwards.

"Mrs. M. Frier, of Syracuse, paid $6 50 from New York to Syracuse by railroad, consigned to Smethurst in this city; but Smethurst refused to send her by that mode, and I had to procure a gratuitous pass from E. Corning, Esq., by railroad, Smethurst refusing to refund.

"I have seen many of the latter class who, upon discovering the fraud, destroyed their tickets and proceeded on their journey, rather than encounter the delay or trouble of seeking redress.

"I will mention a few other cases of emigrants.

"James Heslop, a Scotchman, paid Smethurst & Co. thirty