OF THE
German Society
OF THE
CITY 0F NEW YORK.
ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
GERMAN SOCIETY
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
FOR THE YEAR 1883.
ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR.
The aim of the German Society is to assist German immigrants and their
descendants.
NEW YORK:
BURR PRINTING HOUSE.
1884.
In view of the approaching Centennial of the Society, the Directors deem it appropriate to publish this year an English translation of the annual report, in order to acquaint such of our citizens as are not familiar with the German language, as well as libraries and charitable institutions, with the activity of the German Society during the first hundred years of its existence.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For the Year 1883.
CHARLES HAUSELT, President.
JULIUS W. BRUNN,WM. A. SCHMITTHENNER,
First Vice-President.First Secretary.
JACOB WINDMÜLLER,ERNEST STEIGER,
Second Vice-President.Second Secretary.
GUSTAV H. SCHWAB, Treasurer.
*EWALD FLEITMANN,PAUL LICHTENSTEIN,
†JOHN T. HANEMANN,CARL L. RECKNAGEL,
†**GUSTAV HEYE,†CARL ROSE,
†SIGISMUND KAUFMANN,***EDWARD UHL,
REINHOLD VAN DER EMDE.
*In place of Dr. H. A. Schumacher, who resigned in March.
**In place of Fred. Wiebusch, who resigned in April.
***In place of Jürgen H. F. Meyer, who did not accept his re-election.
The term of office of those members marked with † expires in February, 1884.
PHYSICIANS FOR THE CHARITY SERVICE OF THE SOCIETY.
For the upper part of the city, North 
Dr. AUGUST SEIBERT,
of Houston Street,
41 Seventh Street.
For the lower part of the city, South Dr. GEO. DEGNER,
of Houston Street,67 Second Street.
Business Manager:Cashier:
JULIUS HOFFMANN,AUGUST MERKEL.
OFFICE, 13 BROADWAY.
Temporary Office, till May 1st, on account of alterations in the building, 29 Broadway,
Second Floor.
Post-Office Address: Box 1429, New York.
OFFICE HOURS:
Daily, except Sundays and Holidays, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. For the Banking Business, also
on Mondays and Saturdays, from 6 to 8 P.M., at the German Savings Bank,
corner of Fourteenth Street and Fourth Avenue.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GERMAN SOCIETY
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
With the year 1883 the “German Society of the City of New York” ends the first century of its activity. Founded in the year 1784, by thirteen noble-hearted Germans, after the pattern of the German Society of Pennsylvania, which had been in operation in Philadelphia since 1764, it has encountered many difficulties, and repeatedly undergone severe struggles for its existence. Nevertheless, it has steadfastly pursued its aim, to afford the German emigrant advice, protection, and, as far as in its power lay, assistance, allowing itself to be deterred by no obstacles or hostile actions from fulfilling its self-appointed charge, and extending the field of its operations.
At the suggestion of the present Board of Directors there will shortly appear a work by Mr. A. Eickhoff, with contributions from other well-known authors, entitled “In the New Home,” the appendix to which will contain a detailed history of the activity of the German Society. They feel sure, however, of meeting a general wish, by presenting to the members in the following pages, independently of the above-mentioned work, an account of some of the important events connected with the German Society, drawn from the Minutes and Annual Reports, and arranged in chronological order.
The first operations of the Society were necessarily limited to very slight assistance given to indigent Germans; the number of members was small, and it was only through the exertions of a few, whose names appear frequently in the Minutes, as well as through the annual festivals, that the organization was maintained. With the beginning of the attempts at colonization, and the arrival of the ship “Henry and George,” in 1792, the main task of the Society, the protection of emigrants, went into operation, and the demands for the intervention of the Society increased rapidly. The aim was, on the one hand, to do justice to the shipowners in the satisfaction of their demands on the emigrants for passage-money, and on the other, to protect the latter in their contracts of service. The Society repeatedly experienced periods of inactivity as well, occasioned partly by a diminished emigration, partly by the war of 1812, as well as by the prevalence of yellow fever in the city at different times. With the commencement of the great flow of emigration, the material changes in the condition of the working-classes in this country, and the improved means of passage, the necessity arose of protecting the German emigrants against manifold swindling operations, and this gave rise successively to the establishment of the Bureau of Information and the Banking Department, to which two branches the chief activity of the Society is still devoted. The pecuniary assistance afforded indigent Germans has grown, from the small beginnings mentioned below, to a regular expenditure of considerable amount, and is supplemented by a well-organized care of the sick.
The work alluded to above, “In the New Home,” will contain an alphabetical list of all those who have been members of the Society during the first one hundred years of its existence, and this list will be as accurate and complete as it was possible to make it from the books and papers still extant. It is the intention of the Board eventually to make such corrections in this list as may be found necessary, and also to add the names of those who may meanwhile have joined the Society. It is with the wish that this list of new members may prove a very long one, that the Board presents to the present members the following extracts from the history of the Society and the Annual Report for the year 1883.
COPY OF THE FIRST MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY.
1784. August 23d. At a meeting held this day by the persons hereinafter named, for the purpose of establishing a German Society, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. Resolved, That Mr. Meyer and Mr. Sheaff endeavor to obtain the by-laws of the German Society of Philadelphia.
2. Resolved, That as soon as the latter have been obtained, the members of this meeting shall consult upon these by-laws, and, as a committee hereby authorized, shall set down in writing their opinion, together with any alterations which may be found necessary; and shall further appoint a convenient place and time for the next meeting of the Society, notify the members thereof, and inform them that the aforesaid by-laws, with such alterations as may have been found necessary, will on that occasion be presented for discussion and adoption.
Names of those appointed as committee:
|
Col. Von Lutterloh, |
Mr. Henry Sheaff, |
3. Resolved, That the present Society agree, in case such notification be given, to meet at the time fixed, at such designated place, in doing which, each member of the present meeting shall be at liberty to bring with him a friend from among our countrymen residing in this city, not present at this meeting, who shall be allowed to take part in the discussion of the business to be consulted upon, and shall be admitted to membership of the Society.
Names of the present Society:
|
Mr. Johann Carl Struve, |
Mr. Johan Meyer, |
The next meeting, held for the purpose of organization, took place October 4th, 1784, and this date may be designated as that on which the German Society was founded. At this meeting the following persons joined the Society, in addition to the members above mentioned:
|
Philip Oswald, |
George Dieterich, |
| Colonel Von Lutterloh, President. | Christian Ludw. Lente, | Assistants. | |
| Colonel Von Weissenfels, Vice-Pres. | George Schmeltzel, | ||
| Henrich Will, Treasurer. | Alexander Fink, | ||
| Johann Carl Struve, Secretary. | Philip Oswald, | ||
| Johann Meyer, Assistant Secretary. | Dieterich Heyer. | ||
| Henrich Sheaff, | Assistants. | Johann Balt. Dash, Solicitor. | |
| Colonel Melcher, | Henrich Schrupp, Dean. | ||
The next meeting, designated as the "first quarterly meeting," took place January 3d, 1785, in the Lutheran School-house, and was preceded by a prayer by Dr. Kuntze, "upon which Vice-President Von Weissenfels opened the meeting with a suitable address." At this meeting a committee was appointed "to hand in a petition to the Assembly with regard to a 'charter.'" This committee consisted of Baron Von Steuben, Colonel Von Lutterloh, Colonel Von Weissenfels, Dr. Kunze, Pastor Gross, Henry Sheaff, Henry Will.
At an adjourned meeting held February 7th, 1785, the following resolutions were adopted:
"That the name and title of the Society is 'The German Society in the State of New York for the encouragement of emigration from Germany, the assistance of needy emigrants, and the dissemination of useful knowledge among their countrymen in this State.' "
"That our thanks be presented to Baron Von Steuben for the honor which he has done the Society by placing his name on the list of its members."
The first cases of need which were presented to the Society were those of Peter Paltzgraaf, with a wife and three small children; Adam Berling, with a wife and three small children; Jerich Creyer, with a wife and one small child; for their relief the sum of seven pounds was allowed. (The pound, at that time, was worth $2.50.)
At the January meeting, October 3d, 1785, Baron Von Steuben was unanimously chosen President. The Minutes state that
"The Baron named several reasons which stood in the way of his accepting this appointment. After much persuasion, however, he agreed to accept the office."
Particular rules were drawn up for the interment of deceased members of the Society, and at the general meeting of January 3d, 1786, the following order at funeral processions was resolved upon:
Dean.
Members, two and two.
Solicitor.
Officers.
Secretary and Treasurer.
Presidents.
Clergyman.
Body.
Remainder of the Procession.
1785. September 12th. Baron Yon Steuben, President protem. A collection of £123 9s. 6d. was reported as having been taken up "in and outside of the Society," for "conveying needy German families up the North River into the interior."
October 3d. Meeting held in the German Lutheran School-house in William Street. Baron Von Steuben chosen President; Dr. Kunze Vice-President; Henry Astor proposed as member.
November 18th. A motion being made to reduce the admission fee from $5.00 to 20s. or 24s. "because there were many good people who wished to become members, but whose circumstances did not admit of it," it was resolved to bring forward for discussion at the general meeting the proposition "to receive the amount of the admission fees in wheat or other produce instead of cash."
- November 28th.
- Receipts during the first year of the existence of
- the Society ................................................£2869s. 6d.
- Expenses during the past year ....................24018 6
-
- Balance .........................................£45 11 0
1786. April 3d. The President reports that the Legislature has refused to grant the charter petitioned for. Resolved, to fraternize with the German Society of Philadelphia.
Friedrich Scheel was appointed messenger to the Society, with a yearly salary of eight pounds.
July 14th. Resolved to authorize Dr. Kunze on the part of the Lutherans, and Rev. Mr. Gross on that of the Reformed Church, to select two poor children who were to be sent to the schools at the expense of the Society.
October 2d. The office of a Dean is declared unnecessary.
October 12th. Report of a committee appointed for that purpose: "That they had examined eight lots adjoining Eagle Street, which were to be sold at £19 a lot. The committee were of opinion that the land was very cheap, being fenced in, and a small house being built upon it." The purchase of the lots was resolved upon.
1787. March 7th. Resolved that the ministers of the German churches be requested, in the name of the Society, to give notice of the quarterly meetings of the Society from the pulpit on the Sunday preceding the meeting.
April 17th. Resolved to rent the land newly purchased for £15 a year.
Resolved to procure a chair for the President, a table for the Secretary, and two candlesticks.
November 7th. John Jacob Astor and Edward Livingston were received as members of the Society.
Alterations of the Constitution, and resolution "to have the Constitution printed."
"Resolved to buy £5 worth of wood for the relief of poor and needy Germans."
- December 26th.
- Receipts during the past year .......................£942s. 9d.
- Expenses .............................................................. 68 0 11
-
- Balance ...........................................£26 1 10
1788. January 3d. Resolved to hold a festival at Mr. B. Rawson's, 131 Water St., and to charge 10s., New York currency, for a ticket of admission. A committee was appointed "to invite the Mayor of this city to this festival in the name of the whole Society," and another committee, to provide "that on the day in question all the arrangements would be of a character to do credit to the German Society."
The festival, unfortunately, resulted in a pecuniary deficit, for at the next meeting—January 11th—the committee presented to the other members "the bills for the social festival, from which it appeared that £5 more had been expended than had been received from the sale of tickets," upon which it was resolved that "this sum should be paid from the funds of the Society."
At the quarterly general meeting, April 2d, it was reported that Mr. Edward Livingston, a member of this Society, had donated to the Society 300 acres of land, situated not far from Æsopus. At the same meeting the Mayor of the city, James Duane, was received as member. On July 2d, it was resolved, on the motion of Edward Livingston, "that the Society, out of respect for Hermann, the liberator of the Germans, should in future observe the 11th of August as the day of their annual festival."
This resolution, however, has, probably, been reconsidered, for it was resolved on October 2d, "to hold the festival of the Society on October 4th, because that was the day on which the Society had first met."
With regard to the festival, the Minutes report as follows:
"In accordance with the resolutions passed at the last general meeting, the Society met at 11 o'clock this day in the School-house, and then marched in procession, with President Baron Von Steuben at the head, accompanied by the Mayor of the city, to the Lutheran Church, where they were received by a numerous assembly, and with vocal and instrumental music. Rev. Mr. Gross opened the festivities of the day with a well-expressed prayer to the Highest Being, who looks down with approbation even upon the feeblest of our imperfect efforts to relieve the wants of our suffering fellow-creatures. The Vice-President, Mr. John Meyer, then delineated, in an appropriate, well-elaborated speech, the character of the German nation, upon which Dr. Kunze closed the services of the occasion with an address which accorded fully with the well-known learning of the speaker, and in which he treated more extensively of the same subject as that enlarged upon by Vice-President Meyer. The services ended, the Society repaired to the City Tavern, wdiere it was honored by the presence of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the St. Andrew's and St. Patrick's Societies, who took part in the banquet which followed."
September 23d. Mr. Godwin delivers the copperplate for the diplomas, for which fourteen guineas were paid him, "because he would not do it for less."
October 1st. Baron Von Steuben donates to the Society three plantations, each of one hundred acres, situated in Steuben County. [From later reports it appears that this donation was never realized.]
1789. The annual festival took place in Fraunce's Tavern, corner of Broad and Pearl Streets, and was attended by the Mayor of the City, and the officers of the St. George's, St. Andrew's, and St. Patrick's Societies.
1790. January 6th. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Patroon of Albany, is proposed for membership.
April 13th. The Treasurer is commissioned to purchase eight chances in the Lottery of this State.
October 5th. Peter Schuyler is admitted to membership.
1791. January 6th. Social festival in Corre's Hotel, in which, among others, General H. Gates took part.
September. Twelve cords of wood are bought for £18, for charitable purposes.
1792. October. Arrival of a number of Germans "who were brought over from Hamburg in the ship 'Henry and George,' by the Genessee Association, and had been engaged under uncommonly hard and unfair conditions." This is the first recorded case in which the German Society had occasion to interfere energetically in behalf of its emigrant countrymen.
1794. May 21st. At a special meeting, it was resolved that the Society should, on the 5th of the ensuing month, contribute its labor to the fortifications in process of erection on Governor's Island. This event is recorded in the Minutes as follows:
"The members of the Society, together with a large number of other Germans and their friends met this day at 9 o'clock at the Lutheran School-house, and marched, to the sound of music, and with flying banners, along Broadway to Whitehall, where boats were lying in readiness to convey them to Governor's Island. On their arrival there, the necessary labor was assigned to them by the Mayor of the City and the engineers appointed for the purpose. After working industriously for some time, a dinner was served for all, in which the above-mentioned gentlemen participated. The day's work done, all the members returned to town, and repaired, in company of the Mayor, to the place of meeting, where the Secretary, in the name of the President, thanked them for the services they had rendered."
July 25th. (From this date the Minutes of the general meetings were kept in English. It was only in 1845 that the German language regained its rights.)
December 29th. The Vice-President, William Wilmerding, reports the death of the President, Frederick William, Baron Von Steuben, who had been chosen President on the 1st of October for the eleventh time, upon which it was resolved, "that the Society wear the usual mourning badges for six weeks, and that a committee request the Rev. Dr. Gross, on a day convenient to him, to preach a funeral sermon, as is customary in our native land."
1796. October 31st. The admission fee, which had previously been reduced to $2.50, is again raised to $5, and the rate of subscription fixed at 50 cents quarterly.
December 2d. A Standing Committee was appointed for the protection of German emigrants.
1797. January 13th. The Committee for the Protection of German Emigrants reports having sought out the passengers of the ship "Minerva," recently arrived from Hamburg, and having received, on questioning them, the unanimous assurance of their having been extremely well treated during the passage. In consequence, the committee spent 14 shillings in the purchase of a gallon of brandy for a "drink of welcome."
April 23d. As the Lutheran School-house, where the meetings had until now been held, was found too warm during the hot season, it was resolved that the Society should in future assemble at Lovit's Hotel, formerly Hunter's Hotel.
October 9th. Two members were expelled from the Society, on account of their loose habits and personal abuse of their families. A draft of a petition to the Legislature for the incorporation of the Society was submitted.
1798. 1799. During these years most meetings were omitted on account of the prevalence of yellow fever in the city, and for the same reason the annual election of officers could not take place in October.
1800. May 20th. Reported that the eight lots in Eagle Street (Bowery), bought in 1786, were sold at public auction, three lots to Hendrik Herbert for $1100, and five lots to Peter R. Livingston for $1525.
August 12th. An agreement was entered into with the corporation of the United Lutheran Churches, to the effect that all the real estate and other property belonging to the German Society should be given in trust to that corporation.
1801. Purchase of thirty shares of the Manhattan Bank for $1833.75, as a permanent investment.
1803. January 25th. The rate of members' fees was altered as follows: admission fee, $5; annual subscription, $2; which is to be paid in advance for five years with $10.
1804. April 6th. First printed list of members, with a Charter and By-Laws.
May 7th. Reported that the Legislature had granted the Charter.
An invitation to participate in a celebration in honor of the acquisition of Louisiana is declined.
1805. April 1st. The Treasurer's Report, hitherto carried on in pounds, from this date appears in dollars.
1807. October 26th. Resolved to sell the land donated by Edward Livingston, on account of unpaid taxes and defective title.
1808. The Society is requested by the Tammany Society or the Columbia Order to contribute toward the acquisition of a place of interment for the bodies of such American prisoners as died on board the prison-ships during the War of the Revolution, as well as toward a monument. (The motion was rejected.)
July 25th. Peter Lorillard and the Rev. Frederick W. Geissenhainer were received as members.
1810. January 19th. Resolved "to celebrate the centennial of the first arrival and safe landing of our ancestors in this city on June 14th, 1710, under the care and protection and by the aid of Queen Anne; to appoint a Committee of Arrangements, consisting of nine members, and to invite all Germans and descendants of Germans to participate." (About 3000 Germans, natives of the Palatinate and of Suabia, distributed in ten vessels, left England for New York in April, 1710, under the lead of Col. Robert Hunter. The mortality at sea was very great.)
1812—1815. Nearly all the meetings remained without a quorum, probably in consequence of the war with England.
1817. January 22d. The Treasurer reports, as further property of the Society: ten shares of the Mechanics' Bank; four shares of the Eagle Fire Insurance Company.
1818. During this year Philip Hone, William F. Havemeyer, Frederick Havemeyer, and William B. Astor were admitted to membership.
1819—1822. Owing to the prevalence of yellow fever, the meetings mostly remained without a quorum.
1823. February 17th. First meeting since January 29th, 1821.
1825. April 14th. The State Legislature passes a law, renewing the previous Charter of the Society, and permanently incorporating the latter.
1826. No meeting reported.
1827. March 15th. Adoption of the new by-laws, and resolution passed to have 250 copies printed.
1830. October 29th. A committee of ten members appointed to collect money, as the means of the Society are exhausted.
1831—1832. No meetings.
1833. January 25th. Meeting held at the City Hotel. A committee of five members appointed to find some means of increasing the funds of the Society, as they are inadequate to meet the extraordinary demands made upon the latter. The Directors of the Society publish the first printed guide for emigrants.
1834. February 25th. It is recommended to establish a German Library and a Scientific Society in connection with the German Society, in order to attract new members to the latter.
Resolved to establish an agency for the benefit of German emigrants.
The Secretary reports the receipt of a letter from the Minister of the Interior in Würtemberg, in which the latter expresses the thanks of the government for the efforts of the Society for the protection of German emigrants.
Rev. W. D. Strobel delivers an appropriate and sterling address on occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Society.
1837. March 1st. Resolved to raise the number of the members of the Board of Directors from seven to nine, by the election of two physicians.
1838. March 8th. Resolved that, from May 1st, members shall pay annual dues of not less than $5.00.
August 23d. John Jacob Astor donates $5000 to the Society.
In this year Mr. Charles M. Burkhalter, who has belonged to the Society for 45 years, and is its oldest member, was admitted to membership,
1839. January 16th. John Jacob Astor makes a further donation of $5000 to the Society.
1841. February 17th. John Jacob Astor again presents the Society with $5000, for the purpose of carrying on the agency.
John Jacob Astor, who declines his re-election as President, is made an honorary life member.
February 22d. The Treasurer reports that a concert given for the benefit of the Society has realized a surplus of $1131.44.
G. H. Paulsen was appointed agent of the Society, at an annual salary of $850, and the agency was established at 105 Fulton Street.
1843. February 22d. At the general meeting held in St. Matthew's Church, on this day, the committee appointed for the revision of the by-laws reported various material alterations. The officers of the Society—President, two Vice-Presidents, two Secretaries, and Treasurer—hitherto elected directly by the general meeting, are in future to be chosen by the thirteen members of the Board elected by the general meeting, from among themselves. The annual dues are fixed at a minimum of $5.00; new members, however, may become life members by the payment of their admission fee and $35.00.
1844. March 2d. The Secretary reports a further donation from John Jacob Astor of $4302.50, as residue of an intended legacy of $20,000.
(From this date the Minutes are again kept in the German language.)
1845. February 22d. A committee is appointed to elaborate a plan for the establishment of a district system for the relief of the poor. The city was divided into twenty-six districts, which were taken charge of by members of the Society as visitors.
First printed Annual Report (500 copies).
April 5th. Complaints that the Society receives no support whatever from the city authorities.
1846. The arrival of great numbers of totally helpless emigrants, mostly from the town of Grosszimmern, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, justly excited great indignation. More than 250 of these unfortunates found shelter in the poorhouses of the city, and the New York agents of the ships "Atlas" and "Sardinia," who were forced partly to defray the expenses of their support, after great pecuniary sacrifices, finally released themselves by the payment of $5000. A letter from the Board of Directors to the government of the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt remained unanswered.
1847. February 22d. The Board resolves to give the district visitors, like the physicians, seat and vote by two representatives.
The usual annual festival is omitted, on account of the great distress prevalent in Germany.
The Board issues a warning to emigrants, not to arrive in this country during the months of November till May, as communication with the interior is impeded by the freezing of canals and rivers during that time.
May 5th. The Commission of Emigration is established. The law provides that every emigrant arriving at the port of New York shall pay $1.50, head-money (fifty cents of which is hospital money), which is to go toward defraying the expenses of supporting needy emigrants in the City and State of New York during the first five years after their arrival. The administration of this head-money is committed to ten members, among whom the Presidents of the German and Irish Societies act ex officio. Mr. Leopold Bierwirth was the first President of the German Society in the Commission.
1848. The German governments recognize the unconditional right of emigration.
1849. In the Annual Report emigrants are warned against the purchase in Germany of land in this country, and against plans of colonization set on foot in Germany.
February 22d. Jacob Windmüller is chosen as representative of the district visitors in the Board. (From this date, until the present time, Jacob Windmüller has been a member of the Board, and now, at the age of eighty-one, after thirty-five years of uninterrupted activity, is its oldest member; since 1852 he has been Second Vice-President of the Society, and Chairman of the Charity Committee.)
1850. February 22d. The Board protests against the accusation of having entered into land speculations. The calumnies affecting the Society are proved to have originated with persons whose aim it is to frustrate its efforts to put a stop to the swindling operations of which the emigrants landing in New York have hitherto been the victims.
1852. Complaints of the forced detention of German emigrants in Liverpool, waiting to be forwarded according to contract.
May 1st. Removal of the agency from 95 Greenwich Street to Reade Street, near West Street.
1853. February 2d. Mme. Henrietta Sonntag offers to take part in a concert for the benefit of the German Society.
April 30th. Removal of the agency from Reade Street to 104 Greenwich Street.
The head-money collected for the protection of emigrants is raised from $1.50 to $2.00.
September 14th. Repeated complaints of extensive cheating, of which so-called "German Exchange Offices" have been guilty in dealing with emigrants.
November 9th. Resolved that this Society is not in favor of directing emigrants to special Commissioners of States, stationed in New York, with regard to the choice of a place of settlement.
1854. June 21st. The system of district visiting, as heretofore carried on, is discontinued and the agent of this Society and his assistant are commissioned to examine the cases of need reported by the district visitors.
November 15th. The purchase of a house, No 179 Canal Street, for $14,600, is resolved upon, as it is generally supposed that the Emigrant Commission will transfer the landing-place for emigrants to that part of the city.
Dec. 20th. The Secretary reports that during a fire at his house, the minute-books of the meetings of the officers previous to December 1853, and the minutes of the general meetings since 1851, were burned.
In this year the ship "New Era," from Bremen, was wrecked on the coast of New Jersey; 253 passengers were lost, and only 129 were saved, these in the most destitute condition. On an appeal from the President $6167.53 were collected by members of the Society in a few days.
1855. February 14th. Resolved that as soon as the agency of the Society shall have been removed to Canal Street the system of district visiting shall be abolished entirely, as the continuance of this institution is in no proportion to the benefit derived therefrom, but, on the contrary, merely increases unnecessarily the claims upon the Society.
February 22d. At the general meeting of this date, Leopold Bierwirth, in a communication of some length, which was ordered to be printed, recommended that the Board be authorized to elect a salaried President at its approaching organization, as the office of President had become so laborious and time-engrossing, and involved so much responsibility, that no one could be expected or required to accept it without remuneration. In the same communication the speaker also recommended the establishment of an exchange business, which would meet a great want, and from which, in course of time, an additional income might be expected, partly defraying the current expenses of the administration.
February 24th. Gustav Schwab elected President. (Mr. Schwab is at present the oldest living ex-President of the Society.)
March 7th. Reported that the German Liederkranz had offered to give a concert for the benefit of the German Society. (From later reports it appears that the concert took place, and yielded a net gain of $154.00.)
April 1st. Removal of the agency to 179 Canal Street.
April 18th. Rudolph Garrigue was elected salaried President, and the salary fixed at $2500 a year.
May 26th. A collection taken up for the purpose of defraying the salary of the President, realizes the sum of $4050.
June 20th. A banner worked by ladies of Brooklyn is presented to the Society.
August 1st. The old fort "Castle Garden" is opened as a landing-place for emigrants.
The insurance money on the effects of lost passengers by the wrecked ship "New Era," secured to our Society, and amounting to $1839.35, was collected in Bremen and remitted to the Society, which invested it, as a "New Era Fund," with $2000.
1856. February 22d. At the general meeting Wm. Jellinghaus protests against the further payment of a salary to the President, and after a long debate it is resolved that a salaried President shall be elected only in case it should be impossible to induce a suitable person to accept the office without salary.
August 13th. In consequence of the establishment of the emigrant landing-depot at Castle Garden, it is resolved to remove the agency to 85 Greenwich Street, and to let the property of the Society in Canal Street.
September 10th. A committee of the Society's physicians reports in favor of the founding of a German Dispensary, and requests the Society to guarantee $500 for six months for the defraying of expenses. Subsequently, two dispensaries were established: the German Dispensary, 132 New Canal Street, and the New York Dispensary, 69 Fourth Avenue; the Treasurer was commissioned to collect the money which had been subscribed for the dispensary, and transmit it to the Committee of Physicians.
December 31. The Association of German Physicians restores to the Board of Officers the control of the medical affairs of the Society.
1857. November 17th. At an extraordinary general meeting, Wm. Jellinghans moved that the payment of a salary to the President of the German Society be abolished for the coming year. After an animated debate the motion was carried by 54 votes to 38.
December 18th. In consequence of the resolution passed at the previous meeting, relating to the payment of a salary to the President, all the members of the Board, with the exception of Jacob Windmüller, tendered their resignations. These were not accepted, and the members of the Board were requested to remain in office until January 18th, 1858, under the former by-laws, which had not yet been annulled.
A concert given in the course of this year by the pianist Thalberg, for the benefit of the Society, realized the sum of $524.05.
1858. January 20th. At a session of the Board of Directors, William Jellinghans was elected unsalaried President.
March 3d. The following special committees were appointed:
For the establishment of a German Savings Bank.
For the erection of a German Hospital.
March 17th. By an exhibition of the picture gallery of Mr. August Belmont for the benefit of various charitable societies and institutions, the Society realized §422.50.
The Savings Bank Committee reports having had presented to the Legislature, through Senator Smith Ely, a draft of the Charter. The accompanying petition was readily signed by the Mayor of the city and many of our most prominent and influential fellow-citizens. (The Charter passed the Senate very soon, but had only reached the third reading in the Assembly when the Legislature adjourned.)
Appointment of a committee to confer with the German lawyers of this city upon the formation of a "Lawyers' Society," for the purpose of conducting gratuitously such suits as the Board of Directors of the German Society may deem necessary for the interest of German emigrants.
August 20th. Resolved to have printed and distributed among the Germans of New York and vicinity an appeal for contributions to the Hospital Fund.
October 1st. In consequence of a circular issued by the Board, a convention of various sister-societies took place in Pythagoras Hall for the purpose of discussing matters re- lating to emigration. During this year the Society issued a pamphlet entitled "Advice and Warning for all Emigrants to New York," a thousand copies of which were sent to the different seaports for gratuitous distribution.
1859. January 12th. A concert given for the benefit of the German Hospital Fund realized a net gain of $1173.09.
February 2d. Appointment of a committee to make arrangements for a popular festival for the benefit of the German Hospital Fund.
April 6th. Reported that the Charter for the German Savings Bank had passed in the Legislature.
June 23d. An extraordinary general meeting took place, which was called for the purpose of approving of and second- ing the course of the President of the Society, who, in his capacity as Commissioner of Emigration, had been ineffectually protesting against the scandalous treatment of emigrants on the part of the N. Y. Central and Erie R. R. companies. It was resolved to pass resolutions to that effect and to send the same to the Governor and the Commissioners of Emigration.
July 1st. Opening of the German Savings Bank in Cooper Institute. (The deposits amounted, on December 31st, 1859, to $277,305, and on December 31st, 1883, to $15,308,959.87, from 40,903 depositors.)
October 18th. A meeting of citizens took place at Pythagoras Hall under the auspices of the German Society, at which resolutions were passed for taking energetic measures to effect the well-deserved punishment of several notorious emi- grant swindlers, and to guard against similar frauds in the future.
1860. February 1st. Appointment of a committee to agitate for the German Hospital.
February 15th. The Board receives from the trustees of the fund collected at the death of H. E. Ludewig (for many years Secretary of the Society) for the benefit of his widow, the latter now being deceased, the sum of $1000 as the share of the German Society, with the request to administer this sum as a Ludewig Fund, and to devote the interest thereof to the objects of the Society.
March 21st. Reported that the law for the prevention of swindling of emigrants has passed both houses in the Legislature.
1861. March 20th. Upon a resolution passed at the last general meeting, a contribution was taken up for the passengers of the Bremen ship "Globus," burnt at sea, which realized the sum of $1356.10. As, in the meantime, the agents of the ship had advanced the passengers $2413.55 on their passage-money, which was insured, the above sum was not only sufficient to supply the sufferers with clothing and the necessary cash, but afforded, besides, a surplus of $838.08, which was delivered over to the Charity Committee.
April 17th. Reported that the Charter for the German Hospital had passed in the Legislature on April 13th.
The Charter assigns the management of all the affairs of the Hospital to a Board of 25 members, including the officers of the German Society.
Special acknowledgment is made of the efforts of the Ladies' Auxiliary Society for the foundation of the German Hospital, under the superintendence of Mrs. W. Wesendonck, Mrs. Anna Ottendorfer, and Mrs. Marie Hauselt.
May 1st. The German Society offers the use of its office to the Patriotic Central Aid Society. This Society was established at the commencement of the war of the rebellion, with the object of giving aid to those German families of our city whose supporters were serving in the army of the United States.
October 2d. Peter Warmkessel hands in his resignation as member of the Board, on account of his departure for the seat of war as captain of the Fremont regiment. His resignation is not accepted, but he is granted leave of absence of three months.
November 5th. The President informs the meeting that the two representatives of the physicians for the poor, Drs. Hansen and Boldemann, have entered the army, and that consequently the Association of Physicians is no longer represented in the Board.
In order to abate the nuisance of professional beggars, and for the protection of the members, the latter are requested to give no direct relief, but to report all cases to the agency for examination. An arrangement is effected by which members may deposit an optional sum, from which they may draw by check for the benefit of those seeking help, leaving it to the agency to examine the case, and treat it according to circumstances. (This system, which still exists, has proved very effectual, and should be generally adopted.)
1862. The embezzlements of the agent of the Society, O. F. Ehehalt, amounting to over $2000, led, at various extraordinary general meetings appointed for the discussion of this affair, and at which the attendance was very large, to violent debates. This induced the Board to hand in their resignations; they were, however, not accepted. The deficit was covered partly by voluntary contributions from members, partly by the renunciation of a portion of his salary by Theodor Rose, the successor of Ehehalt.
May 1st. Removal of the agency to 5 Battery Place.
1863. August 3d. The sum of $5000 is repaid by the American Trust Co. and invested in 5-20 United States bonds.
294 names of members registered in the years 1859-1861 are struck from the list on account of non-payment of dues.
1864. January 19th. The general meeting is held in the hall of the Liederkranz. (In subsequent years as well, the general meetings were held in the hall of the Liederkranz Society, kindly placed at our disposal; during the previous twenty years St. Matthew's Church, at that time situated in Walker Street, near Broadway, had been placed at our service with equal readiness.)
July 6th. Appointment of a committee authorized to issue, in the name of the German Society, an appeal for the relief of wounded German soldiers, and to receive money and provisions for distribution by the German Relief Association for Sick and Wounded Soldiers, Washington, D. C. During this and the following year, $3713 were collected.
August 10th. Laying of the corner-stone of the new emigrant hospital on Ward's Island.
1865. April 22d. Resolutions of condolence passed by the Board, on occasion of the assassination of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
August 2d. The New York packet "William Nelson," from Antwerp to New York, was burned at sea on June 26th, and of 550 passengers, mostly German emigrants, 478 were lost. The Board appointed a committee, which collected the sum of $526.70, and distributed it among nineteen Germans who had been saved. All those wishing to go to the interior had also their travelling expenses paid.
September 5th. The Patriotic Central Aid Society delivers to the German Society the sum of $452.69, as the surplus of the funds intrusted to it, with the provision that this sum shall be distributed, under the direction of the Charity Committee, among sick or crippled soldiers or their widows and orphans.
1866. January 15th. Resolved, at the general meeting, to allow the apothecaries of the German Society, who furnish medicines at cost, to elect two of its members as their representatives in the Board, as in the case of the physicians of the Society, and to exempt them from the payment of annual dues.
March 7th. The house in Canal Street owned by the Society is sold for $20,000.
May 2d. The government of Würtemberg sends a contribution of $250 gold for the relief of destitute Germans, without regard to the part of Germany of which they are natives.
1867. January 28th. A motion to alter the by-laws of the Society, to the effect that ladies shall be received as members, is rejected by the general meeting.
A motion that the capital of the Society shall not be drawn upon to cover current expenses, and that only the interest thereof shall be used, is adopted.
The Legislature empowers the Emigrant-Commission to raise the head-money for emigrants from $2.00 to $2.50.
September 4th. Establishment of a free Labor Bureau for emigrants in Castle Garden, under the care and direction of a German official.
November 6th. Appointment of a committee to deliberate upon the question whether it would be advisable and feasible to extend the activity of the Society so far as to establish an exchange business in connection with the Society and under the direction of the Board of Directors.
1868. January 27th. The report of the committee on the establishment of an exchange business, recommended by the Board, is adopted by the general meeting.
January 29th. A Finance Committee is appointed to elaborate the resolutions passed at the general meeting with regard to the extension of the sphere of the Society and present them as soon as possible.
May 1st. Removal to the new office, 17 and 19 Broadway. Establishment of the new department, the banking and passage business, under the direction of the Finance Committee.
At the close of the year the eight months show a net gain of $810.81, which forms the nucleus of a Reserve Fund. (The Reserve Fund of the Banking Department, at the close of the year 1883, amounted to $46,000.)
1869. May 1st. The office of the Society is removed to 13 Broadway.
1870. May 4th. His Majesty, the King of Prussia, grants to the German Society an annual contribution of £250.
Willy Wallach, in consequence of his appointment as Commissioner of Emigration, resigns his office as First Secretary of the Society.
May 23d. A committee is appointed to participate in the erection of a Steuben monument in Steuben County.
1871. April 5th. The Board resolve to take part, as the representatives of the German Society, in the procession of April 10th, in celebration of the peace between Germany and France and the restoration of the German Empire.
October 4th. Willy Wallach reports that he has succeeded in causing two emigrant swindlers to be sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
1872. February 28th. At the general meeting held this day, the motion, recommended by the Board, to alter the existing system of the care of the sick by volunteer physicians, was adopted, and a resolution passed for the appointment of salaried physicians. Further, the representation of physicians and apothecaries in the Board was abolished, and the number of members of the latter reduced from 18 to 14.
1873. February 26th. At the general meeting held this day, the sum of $10.00, instead of $5.00, was fixed as the minimum of the annual dues, while the admission fee of $5.00, hitherto required, was abolished. It was further ordered that the annual dues shall be paid at the beginning of the year.
May 7th. The "United American German Emigrant Society," founded by Dr. S. Ehrenberg as President, and M. Mandl as Treasurer, and consisting of these two individuals, is pronounced a fraud, and the public warned against it.
In lieu of the former Commissioners of Emigration, six Commissioners are appointed in May by the Governor, who, with the Mayor of the City and the Presidents of the German and Irish Societies, form the body of the Commissioners of Emigration. By this new law, in spite of the energetic protests of the Board to the Governor and the Legislature, the two Presidents were deprived of the right of vote in the appointment and removal of employes of the Emigrant Commission.
1874. April 6th. At the suggestion of the Board a mass meeting is held in the large hall of Cooper Institute, with an immense attendance of German citizens and societies, for the purpose of protesting against the unbecoming treatment of the President of the German Society, in his capacity of ex officio member of the Emigrant Commission, by the majority of the Commissioners.
October 30th. The Board passes resolutions of condolence on occasion of the death, on October 29th, of Leopold Von Bierwirth, former President of the German Society, and its first representative in the Emigrant Commission, which was created chiefly through his efforts.
In consequence of the decrease in emigration and the reduction of the head-money from $2.50 to $1.50 the receipts of the Emigrant Commission were so much diminished, that it was forced to contract a debt of over $200,000.00, dismiss a large number of its officials, particularly Germans, and to make a great reduction in salaries.
1875. June 30th. The Emigrant Commission being obliged, for want of funds, to discontinue the Labor Bureau at Castle Garden, the Board of Directors of the German Society, in connection with the Irish Emigrant Society, resolved to maintain this beneficent institution for the benefit of emigrants and others in search of work. To this end, L. P. Reichard, who had been previously employed in this Bureau, was appointed German agent there, and his salary paid by the German Society. (He occupies the position under the same conditions at the present date.)
November 3d. The establishment of a German "Legal Aid Society" is recommended.
1876. February 9th. Of the excise money, designed by a new law of the Legislature to be distributed among the charitable societies and institutions of this city, the German Society receives $4000 from the Board of Apportionment.
February 28th. At the general meeting held this day, the following addition to the by-laws of the Society is adopted:
"If, at a regularly called general meeting, no quorum should appear, the Board of Directors shall be entitled to transact the business which should have been transacted by the general meeting."
March 20th. In the suit against the Emigrant Commission, the Supreme Court declares the law of the State in favor of demanding head-money for emigrants unconstitutional.
May 3d. The "German Legal Aid Society" gives notice of its organization.
July 4th. Burning of the main building at Castle Garden. Although there were nearly a thousand emigrants in Castle Garden that evening, no life was lost. A portion of their baggage, however, was burnt, for which the insurance companies gave a compensation of $9000.
1877. March 24th. In consequence of the death of R. A. Witthaus, worthy ex-President of the Society, resolutions of condolence were passed.
1879. June 5th. The Legislature amends the Charter to the effect that the German Society shall be permitted to act as executor and to administer property consisting in personal and real estate.
October 1st. Captain Schwensen, of the Hamburg Steamship "Westphalia," hands over to the President of the German Society and his successors, for administration, a Schwensen Fund, established for the benefit of two minor children, Dora and Mina Stiel, whose parents had perished at sea.
1880. February 26th. The general meeting resolves to alter the by-laws of the Society to the effect that the Board shall in future consist of fifteen members, who shall be elected for three years, and five of whom shall be elected every year.
1881. September 22d. Resolutions of condolence for the decease of the President of the United States, James A. Garfield, on September 19th.
Appointment of a committee to receive the descendants of Major-General Von Steuben, who were invited by the Government of the United States to take part in the centennial celebration of the siege of Yorktown.
October 11th. Celebration by the German Society of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, in honor of the centennial of its incorporation, September 22d, 1781.
1882. January 4th. Rudolph Kanz, for many years a member of the Society, bequeathes to it $5000.
February 12th. Death of Willy Wallach, member of the Board since 1855, First Secretary from January, 1859, to April, 1870, and First Vice-President since March, 1879.
March 13th. Memorial of the Board to Congress, in favor of national legislation in matters pertaining to emigration.
May 3d. In consequence of a report by the President on the reduced condition of the Emigrant Commission, and the embarrassments in Castle Garden occasioned by want of funds, the Board resolves to authorize the President to give aid to needy German emigrants from the funds of the Society in such cases where it would otherwise have been afforded by the Emigrant Commission, and also, in case the Legislature should not in the meantime have remedied the matter, to call a special meeting of the Board in two weeks, for the purpose of consulting on further measures for the protection of emigrants. The necessary legislation was effected in time, and further measures were rendered unnecessary.
June 14th. Report of the receipt of a certified copy of an amended Charter which had passed the Legislature. It authorizes the German Society to sell real estate, and to have a net income of $10,000.
August. Congress passes the Emigration Act, by which the national government imposes on the steamship companies 50 cents head-money for each emigrant. The new law leaves the Emigrant Commission its character as a State Commission, but places it under the control of the Secretary of the Treasury, in the name of the Federal Government. Congress likewise passes the bill introduced by Member of Congress Deuster, of Milwaukee, for an improved arrangement of the steerage in passenger vessels.
1883. A detailed Annual Report of the business of the Society during this, the one hundredth year of its existence, will be found annexed, in the customary form, as heretofore presented to the members and prescribed by the by-laws.
In honorable acknowledgment of their faithful services the following list of all the Presidents of the German Society since its foundation one hundred years ago is given, with their terms of service:
Presidents of the German Society of the City of New York.
FromOctober 4th, 1784, to October 3d, 1785Col. Heinr. Em. Lutterloh.
"October 3d, 1785, to January 21st, 1795Baron Von Steuben.
"January 21st, 1795, to January 25th, 1802David Grimm.
"January 25th, 1802, to October 25th, 1802George C. Anthon.
"October 25th, 1802, to January 30th, 1804George Gilfert.
"January 30th, 1804, to January 27th, 1806Philip J. Arcularius.
"January 27th, 1806, to January 2Gth,1807John P. Hitter.
"January 26th, 1807, to January 29th, 1810John B. Dash.
"January 29th, 1810, to January 27th, 1812George Arcularius.
"January 27th, 1812, to January 29th, 1814John Meyer.
"January 20th, 1814, to January 29th, 1816Henry Heiser.
"January 29th, 1816, to January 25th, 1819William Wilmerding.
"January 25th, 1819, to January 29th, 1821Jacob Lorillard.
"January 29th, 1821, to March 11th, 1824John W. Schmidt.
"March 11th, 1824, to March 5th, 1828George Arcularius.
"March 5th, 1828, to March 4th, 1835Philip Hone.
"March 4th, 1835, to March 1st, 1837Jacob Lorillard.
"March 1st, 1837, to February 22d, 1841John Jacob Astor.
"February 22d, 1841, to February 22d, 1845C. W. Faber.
"February 22d, 1845, to February 22d, 1847C. H. Sand.
"February 22d, 1847, to February 24th, 1849Leopold Bierwirth.
"February 24th, 1849, to February 25th, 1850George E. Kunhardt.
"February 25th, 1850, to February 24th, 1851Adolf Rodewald.
"February 24th, 1851, to March 2d, 1852F. Karck.
"March 2d, 1852, to February 27th, 1854J. C. Zimmermann, Sr.
"February 27th, 1854, to February 24th, 1855R. A. Witthaus.
"February 24th, 1855, to April 18th, 1855Gustav Schwab.
"April 18th, 1855, to January 20th, 1858Rudolph Garrigue.
"January 20th, 1858, to April 25tb, 1862Wilh. Jellinghaus.
"April 25th, 1862, to June 15th, 1864Ed. Von der Heydt.
"June 15th, 1864, to May 22d, 1865Gust. A. Schniewind.
"May 22d, 1865, to May 23d, 1870Philip Bissinger.
"May 23d, 1870, to June 26th, 1872Friedrich Schack.
"June 26th, 1872, to May 28th, 1874Sigism. Kaufmann.
"May 28th, 1874, to July 12th, 1876Friedrich Schack.
"July 12th, 1876, to March 3d, 1880Sigism. Kaufmann.
Since March 3d, 1880Charles Hauselt.
List of members who remained faithful to the Society for twenty-five years and more:
| Member since the year 1838. | ||
| Carl M. Burkhalter. | ||
| Members since 1839. | ||
| Chas. F. A. Hinrichs, | Wilhelm Radde, | C.F. Van Blankensteyn. |
| Since 1840. | ||
| Oscar Zollikolfer. | ||
| Since 1842. | ||
| August Belmont, | Chr. Heydecker, | Friedr. Schwendler, |
| H. G. Eilshe: ius, | Max Rader, | Jacob Windmüller. |
| Since 1844. | ||
| Detmar Basse, | Geo. J. Kraft, | Gustav Schwab, |
| Gustav Drexel, | Carl L. Recknagel, | Alfred Schlesinger. |
| Since 1847. | ||
| Simon Bernheimer, | F. W. Meyer, | Eduard Scheitlin, |
| John Fr. Busche, | Paul W. Caesar, | Alexander Beckers. |
| Richard Hardt, | Henry Rocholl, | |
| Since 1848. | ||
| Carl Amann, | John A. Pauli, | Bernh. Westermann, |
| Herm. Funke, | H. Schondorf, | Diedr. Westfall. |
| Eduard Warburg, | ||
| Since 1849. | ||
| Adolph Pfender. | ||
| Since 1853. | ||
| Fr. De Bary, | Friedr. Meissner, | Friedr. Schack. |
| Heim. Koop, | Gottl. Rosenblatt, | |
| Since 1854. | ||
| John Andresen, | Sigismuud Kaufmann, | Carl Rose, |
| Eugene S. Ballin, | G. W. Krüger, | Max Ruckgaber, |
| Philip Bissingir, | Henry R. Kunhardt, | Max Schäfer, |
| F. W. Christern, | Detlef Lienau, | M. W. Siebert, |
| Theodor Dreier, | L. Christian Meyer, | F. A. Stohlmann, |
| Gustav W. Faber, | G. H. Möller, | Oscar Strasburger, |
| C. Godfrey Günther, | Georg Mosle, | Herm. Stutzer, |
| F. Fred. Günther, | Emil Oelbermann, | Henry Volkmann, |
| Wm. H. Günther, | E. A. Oelrichs, | Louis Von Hoffmann, |
| F. E. Hagemeyer, | Oswald Ottendorfer, | H. C. Von Post, |
| Wm. Hardt, | J. F. Pupke. | B. Wendt. |
| Wm. F. Heins, | Michael Ritzmann, |
Since 1855, | ||
| Carl Althof, | J. H. Hardt, | Hermann Marcuse, |
| Herman R. Baltzer, | Carl Hilger, | F. O. Matthiessen, |
| Ernst Bredt, | Franz Hoffbauer, | A. M. Mosie, |
| Julius W. Brunn, | Henry Honig, | Rud. Pagenstecher, |
| John F. Degener, | Dr. A. Jacobi, | Gustav Schirmer, |
| Louis Dejonge, | Alex. Klingenberg, | Charles F. Tag, |
| Otto Ernst, | John C. Koch, | Carl J, Triacca. |
| Franz Hachez, | Eduard Luckemeyer, | |
Since 1856, | ||
| Georg Breit, | John E. Kahl, | Christian de Thomson, |
| Herm. Fleitmann, | L. Rosenfeld, | Carl Unger, |
| Henry Haas, | Wilhelm Rüger, | Louis Weddigen, |
| Charles Hauselt, | C. F. Schmidt, | Hugo Wesendonck. |
| Alfred Heidelbach, | Felix Stoiber, | |
Since 1857, | ||
| A. Iwan Von Auw, | Gerhard Janssen, | |
Since 1858, | ||
| Gustav Amsinck, | Friedr, Henle, | Wm. A. Schmitthenuer, |
| Arnold Blum jr., | Philipp Hoegg, | E. Steiger, |
| Marcus Eidlitz, | Sigism. Housmann, | Jos. Taussig, |
| Gottl. Günther, | Friedr. Michel, | Ch. J. H. Vagt. |
| Anton Oechs, | ||
Since 1859, | ||
| Louis F. Eglinger, | Ludwig Roth, | Wilhelm Toel. |
| Charles Eimer, | August Schrader, | |
| Henry Maurer, | Carl Von Sobbe, |
Of former members who belonged to the Society for a number of years, two died in 1883:
Conrad Poppenhusen,Dr. Theodor Tellkampf.
Both were for several years active and efficient members of the Board,
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 1883.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS held twelve regular and three special meetings, and discharged | |
Finance Committee : | |
| Charles Hauselt, | Sigismund Kaufmann, |
| Gustav H. Schwab, | Carl Rose, |
| W. A. Schmitthenner, | Ewald Fleitmann. |
Charity Committee: | |
| Jacob Windmüller, | Ernst Steiger, |
| John T. Hanemann, | Paul Lichtenstein, |
Reinhold Van der Emde. | |
Auditing Committee : | |
| Julius W. Brunn, | Eduard Uhl, |
| Carl L. Recknagel, | Gustav Heye. |
Committee on the Administration of Estates : | |
| Sigismund Kaufmann, | Paul Lichtenstein, |
| Julius W. Brunn, | Carl Rose. |
Library and Printing Committee: | |
| Ernst Steiger, | Sigismund Kaufmann, |
Julius W. Brunn. | |
OFFICIALS OF THE SOCIETY. | |
| Julius Hoffmann, | August Merkel, |
| Manager.Cashier. | |
| J. D. Krebiehl, | Carl Hub, |
| Inspector.Bookkeeper. | |
| V. W. Jahl, | Wilhelm Steil, |
| Assistant for Notarial Business. Assistant. | |
| L. P. Reichard, | Officials for Castle Garden. |
| Adolph Niebelschütz, | |
THE OFFICE,
No. 13 Broadway, which we have occupied for fifteen years, will, on account of alterations in the building, be temporarily removed, in February, to No. 29 Broadway, second story, but we expect to return to the renovated building by May 1st.
The Society feels more and more the necessity of securing for itself a permanent location in the lower part of the city, and of acquiring a building by purchase, like the German Society of Philadelphia. The Legacy Fund could thus find a permanent investment, the Society would secure a moderate office rent, and would gain all the advantage of a well-known address not subject to changes. The surplus of the Reserve Fund of the Banking Department, after it shall have reached the sum stipulated as a permanent security fund ($50,000), might thus likewise be advantageously invested.
MEMBERS.
At the close of the year 1882 the German Society
had a membership of. . .978 members.
Lost by death, removal, or other causes, during
the year 1883. . .36"
Leaving. . .942 members.
New members received in the course of the year180"
Present membership. . .1122"
As the advice and warning given to emigrants in the annual reports of the past few years, in consequence of their wide dissemination through the German press, have attracted general notice, and caused many persons inclined to emigrate to apply to the Society for further information, the Directors resolved to publish a pamphlet, entitled, "Practical Advice and Information for German Emigrants." Single copies of this Guide are given or sent to applicants free of charge. The aim of this pamphlet is explained in the preface, as follows:
"Germans emigrating to America are in the greater need of information, instruction, and many warnings, that they mostly do not understand English, the language of this country, and also because a portion of the pamphlets and journals published here and in Germany, which are intended to serve as "guides" to the emigrant, are, on the one hand, of very little value, and on the other—being published in the interest of certain parties and land speculations—positively misleading and injurious.
Under these circumstances it is incumbent upon the German Society to make use of its extensive experience in collecting and publishing all facts which it is necessary for the German emigrant to know. Everything which emigrants who are not too timid, or too much pressed for time, usually inquire about at the office of the German Society, or of its employes at Castle Garden, is contained in the present pamphlet.
Its extensive distribution is in accordance with the aim of the Society, expressed in its by-laws, . . . "to give gratuitous advice and information to German emigrants and their families." In this way, such advice and information can naturally be tendered to thousands and tens of thousands, who would not ask for it, or at least not seek it until they have suffered through their inexperience. It is this which we wish to prevent; while, on the other hand, all that is contained in this pamphlet is important and useful for every emigrant to know and to remember.
Three large editions—over 22,000 copies—being exhausted at the end of the year, a new and revised edition is now in course of preparation. Orders are still coming in daily, and the work is universally acknowledged to be the most compendious and reliable of all similar publications.
The issue of this pamphlet involved a very moderate cost to the Society, as, in consequence of large sales to steamship lines and railroad companies, the greater part of the printing expenses were defrayed.
As was mentioned in the last annual report, and has been stated at the commencement of the present report, the Directors resolved to publish, in commemoration of the centennial of the Society, a detailed history of the same, and with this view have endeavored to collect the material still wanting. The result of these efforts will shortly appear in a work by Mr. A. Eickhoff, with contributions by other well-known authors, entitled "In the New Home," the appendix to which will contain a detailed history of the German Society, compiled from our Minutes, annual reports, and from historical sources.
We may take it for granted that this very interesting work will be hailed as a welcome contribution to German-American literature, not only in the narrower limits of our Society, but by all Germans on this side of the ocean as well as beyond it.
THE BUREAU OF INFORMATION
forms, as heretofore, the most essential part of our activity, and, with every year, increases in extent and importance. In consequence of the wide distribution of our last annual report and the pamphlet, "Practical Advice for Emigrants," published by us, and the extended and favorable notices given to these publications by the German press, the inquiries from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have considerably increased. These questions related mainly to the conditions of labor, amount of wages, and settlements in this country; but we also received many requests for information regarding persons who had disappeared, or who had not been heard from for some time. These inquiries occasion much labor and trouble, as they are frequently based upon mere suppositions or hearsay information. In many cases, however, we succeeded in obtaining satisfactory news for the sorrowing relatives. As a matter of course, these investigations can only be made when we have sufficient points of information to work upon. While inquiries, like those which often occur, as, e. g., for "Carl Schultze, from Leipzig, who is said to have emigrated to America in 1853," cannot be responded to favorably, notwithstanding our best intentions.
The correspondence which did not come within the range of the banking business comprised 6236 letters received and 2141 letters sent (compared with 3073 received and 2107 sent in 1882).
The large number of letters received is explained by the numerous written requests for our guide-book, which amounted to more than 3000 letters and postal-cards; these were responded to by forwarding the pamphlet. Inclosed in these letters for emigrants were $6537.45 in cash or bills of exchange. Orders for railroad tickets are now sent direct to the steamship companies and to Castle Garden.
For emigrants expected or newly-arrived, who had not yet found a fixed place of abode, we received 1751 letters (against 1746 during the preceding year); these were either forwarded to the proper persons, if their address had been furnished, or they were called for at our office. Most recipients of these letters are not personally known to us, and none are employed by us, though this has frequently been supposed, or wrongly stated to be the case, and we can therefore very rarely answer satisfactorily the numerous inquiries respecting them. Letters which have lain in our office for six months are returned to the Post-Office, to be sent back to the writers.
For the discharge of the manifold business of the Bureau of Information, we are frequently obliged to tax the kindness of our sister societies in the interior, and we herewith gratefully acknowledge the many courtesies shown us by them. For the benefit of our friends abroad we subjoin a list of the German Societies existing in this country, as far as they are known to us:
Allentown, Pa.— German Society of Lehigh Co., P. O. Box 526; L. Juergens, Secretary.
Baltimore, Md.— The German Society of Maryland, 147 West Lombard Street; Julius Conrad, Agent.
Boston, Mass.—German Aid Society of the City of Boston, Charity Building, corner of Charnton and Hawkins Streets; M. Kallmann, Agent.
Chicago, Ill.—The German Society of the City of Chicago, 49 South La Salle Street; Charles Endras, Agent.
Cincinnati, Ohio.—German Immigration and Aid Society, 22 Court Street; Charles Glossner, Agent.
Kansas City, Mo.—-German Society of Kansas City, Mo., opposite the Union Depot; F. A. Nitchy, Agent.
Milwaukee, Wis.—German Society of Milwaukee, 300 South Water Street, coiner of Reed Street; C. Reuter, Agent.
New Orleans, La. —German Society, 10 St. Peter Street, P. 0. Box 69; Charles Becker, Agent.
New York, N. Y.—The German Society of the City of New York, 13 Broadway, P. O. Box 1429; Julius Hoffmann, Manager.
Philadelphia, Pa.—The German Society of Pennsylvania, 24 South Seventh Street; W. R. Ackermann, Agent.
Pittsburg, Pa.—Emigrant Aid Society.
Rochester, N. Y.—German-American Society, 18 St. Paul Street;
Eugene Ebel, Cor. Secretary.
St. Louis, Mo.—The German Society, Granite Building, Room 212, corner of 4th and Market Streets; William Vogel, Agent.
San Francisco, Cal.—General German Aid Society, 114 Dupont Street, P. O. Box 1517; E. Romer, Agent.
Frequent inquiries with regard to the address and districts of the German consulates in the United States induce us to publish the following list of the same, which may be of importance to many of our readers in this country and abroad.
| GERMAN CONSULATES IN THE UNITED STATES | |||
| Consular Residence. | Names of the Consular Officials. | Character of Office. | District. |
| Chicago, Ill. .......... | Dr. jur. Fried. Hinkel, | Consul. | Illinois(with the exception of the counties of St. Clair, |
| " ................... | C. Pollier | Vice-Consul. | Madison, and Monroe, assigned to the district of St. |
| Louis), Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Dakota | |||
| and Wyoming. | |||
| Cincinnati, Ohio ....... | Dr. jur. Ottm. Von Mohl. | Consul. | Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan. |
| New York ........... | Dr. jur. A. Feigel, | Consul-General | Special district: New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Con- |
| " ............ | L. Raschdau, | Consul. | necticut. |
| " ............ | P. Von Ladenberg. | Vice-Consul. | |
subordinate: | |||
| Baltimore, Maryland ..... | Geo. A. Von Lingen, | Consul. | Maryland and the District of Columbia. |
| Boston, Massachusetts ..... | Sebastian B. Schlesinger, | Consul. | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island. |
| Charleston, South Carolina .. | Chas. O. Witte, | Consul. | South Carolina. |
| Galveston, Texas ..... | J. Runge, | Consul. | Texas. |
| Mobile, Alabama ..... | Julius Büttner, | Consul. | Alabama and Florida. |
| New Orleans, La. ..... | J. Krutschnitt, | Consul. | Louisiana and Mississippi. |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Chas. H. Meyer, | Consul. | Pennsylvania and Delaware. |
| Richmond, Virginia ..... | Heinrich Böhmer, | Consul. | Virginia. |
| Savannah, Georgia ..... | J. Rauers, | Consul. | Georgia. |
| Washington, D. C. ..... | A. Schücking, | Consular Agent. | |
| Wilmington, North Carolina | Eduard Peschau, | Consul. | North Carolina. |
| San Francisco, Cal. ..... | Adolph Rosenthal, | Consul. | Oregon, Nevada, California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, |
| Arizona and Montana. | |||
| St. Louis, Mo. ..... | Vacant. | Consul. | Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, |
| Tennessee, Indian Territory, and the counties of St. | |||
| Clair, Madison, and Monroe in Illinois. | |||
THE CHARITIES
are under the administration of the Charity Committee, and comprise:
Direct pecuniary assistance;
The care of the sick;
The Labor Bureau in Castle Garden.
Pecuniary assistance is given to needy families, and, exceptionally, to single persons, after a previous careful investigation of each case by the Inspector of the Society and in accordance with his report. As neither the city authorities nor the Emigrant Commission give pecuniary assistance to needy families, the claims upon our Society have increased considerably, and we were of course unable to help, in all cases, as energetically as the circumstances demanded. During the past few years, it was particularly the newly arrived emigrant families who laid claim to our aid to a great extent, and frequently in urgent cases. There are, unfortunately, among the emigrants, many families who, in consequence of exaggerated reports as to the facility of quickly finding employment with good wages in this country, have sold all they possessed in order to defray the expenses of their passage, and on arriving here spend the remainder of their little capital for the payment of rent and the purchase of necessary furniture, only to find out, when too late, that it is infinitely more difficult than they supposed, to obtain work in this great foreign city. The landlord or his agent demands the rent due and threatens ejectment, for he knows that he will speedily find another tenant for even the most miserable lodging; the slight credit given by the baker, the milkman, the grocer, is exhausted, and all efforts to obtain employment are ineffectual. Again and again the father of the family, who is by no means afraid to work, is obliged, with heavy heart, to seek assistance, "certainly for the last time," for "he has the sure promise of employment for next week." The need is great — greater than the majority of our members dream of—and increases constantly with the growth of our city and the increase of its population. Ought not, then, the number of our members to increase in adequate proportion? Are there not, aside from our eleven hundred members, thousands of Germans upon whom an annual fee of $10.00 would entail no sacrifice? Would it be very difficult for our members to gain, from among the circle of their friends, another thousand of new members, and ought not the year in which the German Society celebrates its centennial anniversary, to offer an appropriate occasion of doubling the number of its friends? The cost of administration would not be augmented, the labor of our officials would be but slightly increased, for the first object would be, not to assist a greater number of individuals, but to give more to each one. We are certainly not in favor of creating pensioners for regular assistance, but we wish to be able to assist the really needy so effectually that it will be possible for them, in times of general scarcity of work, to relieve the most pressing wants of their families.
During the past year the successful efforts of Mr. Constantin Schmidt, one of our members, have obtained for us 39 new members, and it would be most gratifying if this praiseworthy example should find frequent imitation, and lead to a successful rivalry in this respect.
Requests to be sent back to Germany, either gratis or at a reduced price, have increased greatly during the past few years, and the mistaken idea seems to prevail among the public that emigrants who have been in this country but a short time, and cannot find employment which suits them, are entitled to a free passage home. This is certainly not the case, and steamship lines are compelled to carry back free of charge only such persons as are crippled, decrepit, or unable to work, and whom they have brought over contrary to law, while neither our Society nor the Emigrant Commission are under any obligation whatever to that effect. If we occasionally give such aid in urgent cases, these are, of course, exceptions, the circumstances of which must be particularly aggravating to justify the large expenditure.
Our applications for return passages at reduced rates for impoverished Germans have always met with obliging consideration on the part of the general agents of the Bremen, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Rotterdam steamship companies, and we herewith tender them our thanks for the assistance rendered.
We consider, of course, only such requests as can be proved to us to be worthy, for in many cases, unfortunately, the petitioner is perfectly able to pay the full price, and is merely trying to save part of the fare.
By an arrangement with the "German Emigrant House," which by its good management is growing in favor with the public, we were, enabled to furnish, at a small cost, ample and nourishing meals to a large number of emigrants, among whom many families in Castle Garden were obliged to await remittances from relatives. At Christmas and on Thanksgiving day the members of the Board contributed toward furnishing a number of extra meals, which were supplied to hundreds of needy emigrants.
The "German Legal Aid Society" has received this year as well assistance to the amount of $500 from the charitable fund of the Society, to enable it to continue its activity, but at the close of the year again finds itself in a position which makes its further existence doubtful. This is a matter of great regret, as the German Legal Aid Society, with its limited means, has done much good, helping many persons to obtain their rights who were not able to remunerate the services of a lawyer or pay the costs of a lawsuit.
From the Board of Apportionment of the City of New York we received of the Excise Fund, $2380.00 (against $3253.00 in 1882).
The Charity Committee, during the year 1883 had the following amount at its disposal:
On hand January 1st, 1888. . .$713 00
Appropriations during the year 1883. . .8,500 00
From the Board of Apportionment of the City of
New York. . .2,380 00—11,593 00
Expenditures. . .11,288 00
Balance on hand Dec. 1st, 1883. . .$305 00
Relief was given during the past year as follows:
In January, in 839 cases with,. . .$2,483 00
February, " 798 " . . .2,184 50
March, " 755 " . . .2,075 50
April, " 109 " . . .436 50
May, " 103 " . . .403 50
June, " 88 " . . .332 50
July, " 77 " . . .309 50
August, " 70 " . . .203 00
September," 71 " . . .259 50
October, " 95 " . . .391 00
November, " 104 " . . .375 00
December, " 617 " . . .1,774 50
In all, 3726 cases, with . . .$11,288 00
Compared with past years, the result is shown by the following table:
1883 in 3726 cases . . .$11,288 00 Average, $3 03
1882 " 3371 " . . .9,723 00 " 2 89
1881 " 3060 " . . .8,377 34 " 2 74
1880 " 2322 " . . .5,987 66 " 2 58
1879 " 2807 " . . .6,455 50 " 2 30
1878 " 3310 " . . .6,983 75 " 2 10
The special fund deposited by individual members, against which they may issue orders on the German Society, showed
On December 31st, 1882, a balance of . . .$554 50
Deposited in the course of the year . . .599 50—$1,154 00
Paid out on orders . . .413 25
Balance December 31st, 1883 . . .$740 75
The steady decrease in the orders presented proves that in many cases the ostensibly needy applicant belongs to the class of professional beggars unwilling to work, who count upon the well-known benevolence of German business-houses. Unfortunately it is not possible to check this nuisance entirely, but much might be accomplished if in all cases our members would send the applicant to us, and give no direct assistance, and particularly if no one would allow himself to be persuaded either to open a subscription list or attach his name to one. The genuine signature of one well-known firm in such a list causes dozens of others to follow their example, and secures to the shrewd swindler a rich harvest for several years. Thousands of dollars, which would afford relief to so many who are truly needy, in this way fall into unworthy hands, and the facility with which this lucrative business is successfully carried on offers encouragement for numerous followers.
CARE OF THE SICK.
Of all the forms in which assistance is given to the needy by the German Society, the gratuitous attendance of a conscientious physician and the furnishing of medicines, prescribed by him, free of charge, is certainly the most important and effective. We gladly take this occasion to present our thanks to the physicians appointed by us—Dr. August Seibert, 41 Seventh Street, for the part of the city lying north of Houston Street, and Dr. George Degner, 67 Second Street, for that below Houston Street—for the conscientious discharge of their duties and the favorable results attained.
With regard to the system pursued by the Society in caring for the sick, such misconceptions appear to prevail, that it is appropriate to state herewith in detail the mode and extent of its operations.
First of all, it must be observed that the cases coming under the treatment of our physicians are such as cannot be treated in the hospitals and by the dispensaries. On the whole, the aim is not to replace the above institutions, but to supplement them. From this it follows, as a matter of course, that all our patients must be designated as seriously ill.
In acute diseases (pneumonia, typhoid fever, etc.) the physicians, indeed, are directed to send the patients to the hospitals; but this is not always possible, on account of frequently occurring want of room in these institutions, though the receiving physicians of the German Hospital have indeed shown great courtesy in this respect to the physicians of our Society, and, whenever possible, have made room in their institution for such patients of the Society as were absolutely in need of hospital attendance.
About two thirds of our patients are afflicted with incurable chronic diseases. For such patients there is no institution in New York, and thus the poor Germans among the exceedingly numerous class of patients of this kind come under the treatment of our physicians only when their condition makes it impossible for them to leave the house. In such cases the physicians can of course only act more as comforters and advisers to the patients and their families, than as therapeutists — a difficult and often ungrateful task. The relatively large death-figure in the medical reports is explained by this statement.
Such cases of illness are the more serious that they are all, in fact, in the most urgent need of hospital care. To replace the latter as much and as efficiently as possible, is the task of our physicians. They visit the patients as often as necessary, and prescribe for them, at the expense of the Society, the requisite medicines. In the treatment of such patients our physicians encounter difficulties which it is possible to remove only partially. The badly ventilated, often very dirty sickroom, which frequently serves at the same time as bedroom and sitting-room, as well as the kitchen of the whole family, cannot be changed to an airy, clean apartment. What can be done is done, but it is very little. It is different with regard to food. In order to insure success to the treatment, appropriate nourishment is indispensable, and often even the means for that are wanting. It is just the poorest German families in the city whom our physicians visit, and hence it is no rare occurrence that they find two, three, or even four very sick patients lying in one room. In such cases the physicians give a written order for pecuniary assistance, and the sums expended in that way are decidedly those which do the most good; by the purchase of meat, milk, and bread they often work apparent miracles, for not only is hunger allayed, but the recovery of the patient is effected—in spite of the greatest weakness—by the more nourishing food. Without the possibility of affording these patients the requisite aid during the course of their illness, the care of the sick, according to the statement of our physicians, would in most cases be useless. In the third place, besides medicine and nourishment, stimulants must be designated as a remedy frequently requisite in the care of the sick. Formerly the means for purchasing the necessary quantity of brandy or wine in such cases were placed at the disposal of the patients, but it must be regarded as a decided improvement that a supply of brandy and wine is now deposited by the Society with R. Van dee Emde, apothecary, and is held subject to the prescriptions of the physicians. This innovation was introduced—at the request of the physicians—by the Charity Committee, after it had satisfied itself of the expediency of this measure.
The results attained during the past year are shown by the following statement:
Remaining under treatment from the year 1882. . .52 cases
Newly reported. . .557 "
Total. . .609 cases
On these the physicians reported as follows:
Dismissed, cured, etc.. . .403 cases
Sent to hospitals. . .88 "
Died. . .66 "
Remaining under treatment Dec. 31st, 1883. . .52 "
Total. . .609 cases
Our physicians made 4418 visits, and issued 4123 prescriptions, which latter (free of charge to the patients) were prepared at the expense of the Society by the following apothecaries:
Herm. Geritzen, Third Avenue, corner of 86th Street.
C. F. L. Hohenthal, 857 Third Avenue.
Henry Diedel, 375 Third Avenue.
Samuel J. Bendiner, 47 Third Avenue.
A. W. Beck, 17 Third Avenue.
W. Weltewitz, 115 First Avenue.
R. van der Emde, 323 Bowery, corner of 2d Street.
W. Schultz, 145 Avenue A, corner of 9th Street.
L. & F. Naumann, corner of Frankfort and William Streets.
John Eberhard, corner of Canal and Eldridge Streets.
H. W. Jarchow, 214 Rivington Street.
Georg Rau, 193 East Houston Street.
W. Weitenkampf, 67 Forsyth Street.
Ernst C. Otto, 122½ Chrystie Street.
Lawall & Searles, 124 Avenue C.
F. Spangenberg & Nichlass, corner of 40th St. and Sixth Ave.
Paul Balluff, Sixth Avenue, corner of 37th Street.
S. Nauheim, 44 West 3d Street.
The Society paid for prescriptions prepared, including wine
and brandy. . . $506.50
against 384.94 in 1882
and 349.01 " 1881
333.02 " 1880
To the above-mentioned apothecaries who, with a readiness highly to be appreciated, furnished the medicines to us at a considerably reduced cost, we herewith tender our thanks.
THE LABOR BUREAU
was in charge, during the past year, as in the nine preceding ones, of two officials of our Society, and furnished employment to 27,758 persons in search of work. The Emigrant Commission, with the idea of creating a new source of income, very desirable in view of the continued low state of its finances, seriously considered the question whether it was not imperative to impose a tax on employers for the maintenance of the institution; but this project was opposed energetically and successfully by our President. Glad as we would be to save the salary of our official employed there, we still hope that the free Labor Bureau will be continued, and not lose its charitable character by entering into competition with the private intelligence-offices, many of which are carried on more to the disadvantage than to the advantage of emigrants. With regard to our official, L. P. Reichard, who has occupied his position in the Labor Bureau for fifteen years, we gladly acknowledge that he discharges the duties of his responsible and onerous office with great energy and circumspection. We take this opportunity also to present our thanks to the authorities at Castle Garden, particularly the Superintendent, Mr. H. J. Jackson, and the Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Otto Heinzmann, for all the attentions shown and services rendered us.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
In the appendix is presented the Treasurers Report, which gives full information on the financial condition of the Society.
To avoid former inconveniences, the books according to a resolution passed by the Board, will in future, beginning with this report, be closed on January 1st, and the members' dues paid after December 31st of each year will be entered in the year following.
From the Board of Apportionment of the City we received, in April, from the Excise Fund, the sum of $2380, for the relief of destitute German families, and this amount was placed at the disposal of the Charity Committee.
During the past year, again, we received from high reigning Powers and Governments in Germany valuable contributions, for which we present our thanks to the noble donors.
We received from
- His Majesty the Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia: annual contribution. . .$250 00
- His Majesty the King of Bavaria. . .200 00
- The Government of the Grand Duchy of Baden, 300 marks. . .71 15
- The Senate of the free Hanseatic city of Hamburg, 450 marks. . .105 75
- The Senate of the free Hanseatic city of Bremen. . .100 00
The "Schwensen Fund," intrusted to the German Society for administration by Captain H. F. Schwensen, for the benefit of two orphan children saved from the wreck of the steamship Pommerania, amounts at present, after deducting the aid given for the education of the children, to $2286.27, and is invested in the German Savings Bank.
THE BANKING DEPARTMENT.
The serious stagnation in business during the past year, and its discouraging effect on laboring classes, among whom we number the majority of our customers, as also the manifold complaints of low wages or entire want of employment caused us to fear a material diminution in the business of this department.
It is therefore all the more agreeable to the Board to be able to report that this fear has not been realized, and that in most branches of the business an increase has taken place.
Thus the remittances from our resident countrymen to their relatives in their old home, as well as orders on the Society, and orders for payment from our correspondents to emigrants here, exceeded in number by some hundreds those of the preceding year. The transmission of packages was likewise somewhat more extensive. On the other hand the transatlantic passage business has experienced a material diminution, and as, moreover, the commission on railroad tickets has been abolished, our income from these sources is thus much diminished. This is the more to be regretted, as the procuring of passages was proportionately most profitable to us.
In consequence of the appointment, last year, of a second official, it was possible to give the desirable and necessary attention to the Department for Notarial Affairs, and its functions were materially extended.
In the course of the business year a petition was forwarded to the various Ministries of Justice in the German Empire, to issue a rescript to the judicial authorities subordinate to them to the effect that the latter should recognize and assist the German Society in its requests for information and inquiries with regard to reliable legal aid. This application was granted in the most courteous manner, and with special acknowledgment of the efforts of the German Society, by the Ministries of Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Würtemberg, Baden, and Hesse. The German Society is pleased to take this opportunity of reiterating to the above-mentioned Ministries its warmest thanks for their courtesy.
This favor makes it possible for the Notarial Department to obtain all information required from reliable sources, in the most direct and thorough manner, and at a very small cost. It is easy to perceive what advantages may accrue from this not only to the Society, but particularly to Germans in America, and it is desirable that the latter should make more and more use of the Notarial Department of the German Society, especially in matters of inheritance and other business relating to property in their old home.
The activity of the Banking Department comprises the management of the following branches of business:
- The transmission of money by bills of exchange and drafts to the larger cities of Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland, or in cash to the residence of parties free of charge, even to the smallest towns and villages.
- The procuring of passage certificates for the voyage from Europe to this country and vice versa, as well as of passports for citizens of the United States.
- The purchasing of railroad and steamboat tickets for the journey into the interior.
- The exchange of foreign money.
- The drawing up of powers of attorney, and documents of all kinds, as well as their notarial authentication.
- The execution of powers of attorney for the purpose of collecting inheritances and other property.
- The receiving and transmission of packages and articles of value destined for Europe.
- The receiving of money in the principal cities of Germany and Switzerland, for its safe and cheap transmission to America.
- The administration of real and personal estate which is transferred to the Society for management; in particular, estates of deceased persons.
- The receiving of money for temporary care.
The legal form by which the German Society may be appointed executor of a will and administrator of an estate should be worded as follows:
"I hereby nominate and appoint the German Society of the City of New York to be the executor of, or trustee under, this my last will and testament."
The Society is in connection with the following firms, by whom its European business is attended to:
- Augsburg. . . Max Obermayer, Consul.
- Basle. . . Die Basler Handelsbank.
- Berlin. . . Hardt & Co.
- Bremen. . . Louis Delius & Co.
- Carlsruhe. . . Ed. Koelle.
- Cassel. . . L. Pfeiffer.
- Cologne. . . Der A. Schaafhausensche Bankverein.
- Constance. . . Die Filiale der Rheinischen Creditbank.
- Darmstadt. . . Die Bank für Handel und Industrie.
- Dresden. . . Robert Thode & Co.
- Frankfort a.-M. . . Die Filiale der Bank für Handel und Industrie.
- Freiburg in Baden. . . Die Filiale der Rheinischen Creditbank.
- Gera. . . Die Geraer Bank.
- Hamburg. . . Johs. Schroder.
- Hanover. . . Die Hannoversche Bank.
- Heidelberg. . . Die Filiale der Rheinischen Creditbank.
- Leer in East Frisia. . . Die Agentur der Hannoverschen Bank.
- Leipsic. . . Die Filiale der Geraer Bank.
- Mannheim. . . Die Rheinische Creditbank.
- Meiningen. . . Die Mitteldeutsche Creditbank.
- Muntch. . . Joseph Von Hirsch.
- Munster. . . Eduard Hueffer.
- Paris. . . MM. Marcuard, Krauss & Co.
- Prague. . . Die Böhmische Union-Bank.
- Strassburg i.-A. . . C. Staehling, L. Valentin & Co.
- Stuttgart. . . Die Königl. Würtembergisclie Hofbank.
- Vienna. . . M. L. Biedermann & Co.
Money deposited with any of the above correspondents can be disbursed through the German Society of the City of New York, against receipts, in any part of the United States.
The transmission of money to America by letters of advice through our correspondents instead of, as formerly, by bills of exchange, finds increased favor with the senders, as by the return of autograph acknowledgments of the receivers the senders not only convince themselves better of the correctness of the payment, but it is often desirable also to have the original receipts as vouchers.
The German Society fully appreciates the conscientious and prompt execution of its orders on the part of its European correspondents, and offers them herewith its grateful acknowledgment.
In order to make it possible to print and distribute the Annual Report in time to conform to the by-laws, the results of the operations of the Banking Department could only be estimated, and are stated as follows:
- Gross profits for the year 1883. . . $9,741 15
- Expenses:
- Half of office rent. . . $916 06
- Salaries. . . 4,250 00
- Advertising. . . 844 80
- Office expenses, printing, stationery, etc. 494 85
- Postage, etc. . . 234 84 6,741 15
- Net profits for 1883. . . $3,000 00
This amount brings the Reserve Fund of the Banking Department to a total of $46,000.00, the interest of which is placed at the disposal of the Charity Committee for the relief of needy Germans, according to the by-laws of the Society.
EMIGRATION.
Emigration at this port having reached, in 1881 and 1882, its highest point, viz., 455,681 and 476,086 persons, it fell off during the past year to 405,909, and a further decrease is to be expected during the present year. Among the masses who have reached this port during late years, there could not fail to be many who, coming with exaggerated expectations, or entirely unfitted for the conditions existing in this country, returned to their homes sadly disappointed, or sent back discouraging reports of their unfortunate experiences, which are frequently quite as unwarranted as the brilliant representations which induced them to emigrate. Healthy, vigorous persons, in their best years, particularly farmers, mechanics, and daylaborers, will not want for employment, if they arrive here at the right season, and will have no difficulty in making their living, if they do not demand too much, and if they remember that every beginning is difficult. Old or weak persons, however, and individuals who shirked work at home, and who hoped to find better facilities here for leading an easy life, will discover, at their cost, that America does not differ much in this respect from other countries, and that idlers and those unable to work have even fewer prospects here than in Europe. America should not be looked upon cither as a great reformatory for ne'er-do-wells or as a refuge for paupers; the former generally go to ruin rapidly, and the latter, when found out, are sent back to their homes under protest. Young merchants'clerks, former officials, government employes, etc., many of whom certainly have the best intentions, should above all things understand thoroughly that they cannot expect to follow their vocation here, but must make up their minds to submit to any kind of unaccustomed work, often very difficult at first, if they would lead an honest life in this country. Our pamphlet, "Practical Advice and Information for Emigrants" (single copies of which we will send, on request, as heretofore, to all applicants, free of charge), relieves us of the usual task of giving in our Annual Report, practical hints and advice. Nevertheless, we will enumerate briefly, in the following, the most essential points:
- No one should allow himself to be induced to emigrate by exaggerated reports of the favorable conditions and the facility of earning money in this country. The resolve should be taken only after due consideration.
- Passage agents are, as a rule, unreliable advisers; they have generally ouly their own interest in view.
- The uncle who emigrated to America ten or twenty years ago, and who is said to be doing very well, but whose address is not known, because he has never written, generally exists only in the imagination. As a rule, he is not to be found, or he does not wish to have anything to do with his unwelcome relatives; frequently the alleged "hotel-keeper" turns out to be a waiter, the "merchant" a porter, and the "owner of a thriving farm" a day-laborer.
- Those who emigrate to America on a venture should do so in the months of March to October, during which time labor is generally in great demand, while during the winter months the emigrant often vainly seeks employment in Castle Garden for weeks, and suffers want and privation.
- German emigrants should on no account allow themselves to he induced to make the passage in English vessels, but should make a direct contract with the offices of the Bremen Line (North-German Lloyd) or the old Hamburg-American Packet Line. For emigrants from the Rhenish Provinces, Southern Germany, and Switzerland, the voyage by way of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Havre is likewise to be recommended.
- No one should sail without his baggage. The promises of the agents or landlords, to forward the baggage by the next steamer, are often not kept, and in the most favorable case the owner will be put to greater expense—often beyond his means—than he would have incurred by a prolonged stay at the port of departure. In case, however, any one should nevertheless be induced to sail, he should, immediately upon his arrival in New York, notify the agents of the line by which he came, and leave his address with them. He should also, before sailing, write to his relatives or friends at home, and inform them that his baggage is missing, as the latter is frequently left at some railroad station, and the agent in the seaport merely agrees to forward the baggage after its arrival there.
- Only the most necessary and indispensible articles should be taken along as baggage, and should be carefully packed. Useless rubbish merely occasions heavy expenses of freight for over-weight, and is generally not worth bringing.
- Those who are well off should carry with them only as much cash as they will need during the voyage and for the first few days after their arrival here. The rest should be taken in drafts drawn by respectable, well-known firms on banking-houses in this city, and, under any circumstances, the holder should insist upon his signature being forwarded for identification, and upon the bill being advised by the mail of the same steamer.
- During the voyage, as well as on his arrival, the emigrant should be reticent with regard to his pecuniary circumstances and intentions, and be on his guard against officious advisers. Many have bitterly repented—when too late—of the confidence thoughtlessly bestowed.
- American money should never be bought at the seaport or on board the ship, as there is much counterfeit and worthless money in circulation, which is palmed off upon emigrants. In Castle Garden, at the licensed office, everyone can change his money for United States Currency at the full value.
- No one should lend his money to strangers on bills of exchange or other papers of this kind, or buy them. In general such papers are of no value, or they are protested, because available only for the person in whose name they are made out.
- On reaching Castle Garden, every one should be on the watch to hear his name called, in case there should be letters or other intelligence awaiting him. Altogether, it is always best to inquire for anything of the kind, as it often happens that some information is waiting, even though not expected.
- Every emigrant may remain in Castle Garden until he leaves the city. Those who prefer to go to a hotel should previously consult their purses, and see whether they will admit of their doing so, for the stay at a hotel here is very expensive, in comparison with the German standard, and the landlord is entitled to retain the baggage in pledge until the bill is paid. There is no lending of money or charging of accounts, and however attentive and obliging the landlord may be at first, he can make himself very disagreeable when the emigrant's pockets are empty.
- No one should run in debt on the expectation of money to be sent by relatives in the interior, for travelling expenses. In general that money is only sufficient for the payment of railroad tickets, and frequently it is not forthcoming at all.
- Those in search of work should, immediately on their arrival, apply at the free intelligence office in Castle Garden, where, at a favorable season, they will be reasonably sure to obtain employment soon. They should be on their guard against intelligence offices combined with night quarters, such as are found in the basement saloons of Greenwich Street and the neighborhood of Castle Garden. They should also read in the German newspapers the advertisements under the head of "Wanted;" but in this case likewise they should be cautious, as the papers of course are not informed of the character of advertisers, and assume no responsibility. Advertisements in which a cash deposit is required as security should under no circumstances be noticed, as all such advertisements, though generally very tempting, and promising ample pay for easy work, are shameless frauds. As soon as the security is paid, the business disappears, and with it the brilliant prospects and the deposit paid.
- Farmers who come to America with some property should not be too hasty in the purchase of real estate, as they may easily acquire land which is worthless, or the title of which is defective. In order to become acquainted with the land itself, with the climate, and with the markets, it is preferable that such persons should first look about thoroughly, hire themselves out as laborers, and become practically acquainted with the field labor in this country, which is very different from that in Germany. In the meantime they may deposit their capital in some savings-bank for safe keeping.
- Emigrants newly arrived, who intend to have their families follow them, should not allow themselves to be induced to buy passage tickets to be paid for by instalments. In the most favorable case, the passage ticket would not be forwarded until the full price for it had been paid; and usually the unfortunate victim discovers, after months of vain waiting, that his hardly-earned money is lost.
- All who need advice and information, protection, or aid, should apply to the official of the German Society, who is at all times to be found in Castle Garden.
CASTLE GARDEN.
The precarious circumstances of the Emigrant Commission, already alluded to in our last report, have experienced no material change for the better during the past year, and it is urgently to be wished that the present interregnum may give place to a permanent organization. The law passed by the last Legislature and approved by the Governor abolishes the Commission, consisting of six State Commissioners, the Mayor of the City of New York, and the Presidents of the German and Irish Societies ex officio, and appoints in its place a salaried Commissioner, with whom the above-named Presidents are associated, but, as hitherto, without a vote in the appointment and removal of officials employed in Castle Garden and on Ward's Island. Unfortunately the Governor, who has to appoint this Commissioner, and the Senate, which has to confirm the nomination, could not agree upon a suitable person, and the law, which, if the right man be chosen for the responsible position, has great advantages, did not go into effect.
While the emigrants formerly had a claim on the assistance of the Commission for the first five years after their arrival, they now. by a new law. recive it only for the first year: the pecuniary assistance formerly given to needy families who, in expectation of employment, have established their simple household, is granted only in exceptional cases, and even admission to the hospital and the insane asylum is denied when the one short year has expired. By these compulsory retrenchments it became possible to cover the current expenses with the comparatively small sum of fifty cents head-money for every newly arrived emigrant, even when the heavy emigration of the two previous years decreased considerably during the past year.
There are at present before Congress several new bills, the object of which is to make the protection of emigrants an affair of the Federal government, but it is to be feared that they will share the fate of their predecessors, and miscarry through the indifference of many influential representatives, and the open opposition of others.
The differences of opinion existing among the Commissioners of Emigration, and the debates consequent thereupon, have frequently been discussed and criticized in the daily papers; we therefore consider it our duty to remark that our President has always held himself aloof from these disagreements, and devoted his whole activity to the welfare of emigrants, particularly those from Germany. During the four years in which, as President of the German Society, Mr. Charles Hauselt has represented the interests of German emigrants in the Emigrant Commission, he has, by his faithful and untiring devotion to the cause, proved himself invaluable, and it is therefore incumbent upon us, who are well aware of the many difficulties with which he has to contend, to present to him the well-earned acknowledgments and thanks of the Board of Directors.
WARD'S ISLAND.
As mentioned in our last report, Dr. Geo. M. Tuttle resigned his position as Physician-in-Chief, and Dr. Allen M. Thomas was appointed in his place. Dr. Louis Schultze was transferred from Ward's Island to Castle Garden, in the place of Dr. Chapin, who resigned in March. Rev. L. H. Gerndt, who, on account of ill-health, was obliged last year to resign his position as Protestant Chaplain on Ward's Island, resumed his post upon his recovery, and, as in former years, devoted himself, with the most praiseworthy zeal, to the bodily and spiritual welfare of Protestant emigrants.
We extract from the Ward's Island Report of the Superintendent, Mr. Wm. T. O'Brien, to the Emigrant Commission the following statistical summary:
- Number of persons sheltered and under treatment in the
- Institutions on Ward's Island December 31, 1882. . . 868
- Emigrants received during the year 1883. . . 4,180
- Births in the Institutions. . . 164
- Total. . . 5,212
- Discharged in the course of the year. . . 4,210
- Died. . . 366
- 4,576
- Remaining on the Island January 1st 1884. . . 636
- Of these in hospitals. . . 269
- In asylums. . . 115
- In houses of refuge. . . 252
- 636
- During the year 1883 the emigrants received on the
- Island were cared for as follows:
- Treated in hospitals. . . 4,373
- Treated in asylums. . . 339
- Sheltered in houses of refuge. . . 1,966
- Total. . . 6,678
- Island were cared for as follows:
Since 1874, 2933 persons have been buried in the cemetery on the Island.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
We have endeavored, in the preceding pages, to give our Members an interesting and instructive picture of the activity and the extent of the work of the German Society during the hundred years of its existence. The attentive reader must have observed how much can be accomplished by perseverance and by united forces, and what great results can be attained from small beginnings, when benevolent efforts meet with appreciation and assistance from all those whose favorable circumstances admit of their devoting practical sympathy to the welfare of the needy and destitute. Originally founded for the purpose of aiding and advising a few emigrants at the end of their long and dangerous voyage, the Society has since then extended its usefulness to a well-organized Charity Department, the Labor Bureau—at present in Castle Garden—the Bureau of Information, with its wide-spread activity in all directions, the beneficent Care of the Sick, and the Banking Department, which guarantees prompt and reliable attention to all money matters, and offers undoubted security.
There is probably no city in the world in which more is done for the relief of the poor than in New York, and the German charitable societies occupy an honorable position among its benevolent institutions; nevertheless, we cannot conceal from ourselves that there still remains much to be done, and that the German Society should not relax its efforts to extend its sphere of action in new directions.
Through its efforts, the German Savings Bank and the German Hospital have been founded, and in like manner it should aid in establishing a free Home for old men unable to work, and an Asylum for Incurables and Convalescents, who at present are not received at any hospital. To accomplish this purpose unassisted, would hardly be possible, but we hope that the realization of these suggestions may be attained by the aid and co-operation of the German population of this city. If the celebration which we are preparing in honor of the Centennial of the German Society should contribute to the establishment of one of these institutions, it would be a fitting close to the first century of its existence, and would insure beneficent consequences.
- THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
New York, January, 1884.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER | ||
FOR THE YEAR 1883. | ||
| Balance as per last account ........................ | $11,659 93 | |
RECEIPTS. | ||
I. Donations. | ||
| From His Majesty the Emperor of Germany ..... | $250 00 | |
| """the King of Bavaria ..... | 200 00 | |
| "the Senate of Bremen ............ | 100 00 | |
| ""Senate of Hamburg .............. | 105 75 | |
| ""Government of the Grand Duchy of Baden .. | 71 15 | |
| "Excise Fund of the City of New York ... | 2,380 00 | |
| Surplus from Sale of Copies of the Guide to Emigrants. | 190 70 | |
| Surplus of Subscriptions to Dinner in honor of Consul- | ||
| General Dr. H. A. Schumacher ... | 160 75 | |
| From Messrs. Keppler & Schwarzmann, New York ... | 50 00 | |
| "Fredk. Hauser,"" ... | 15 00 | |
| "Judge G. N. Herrmann,"" ... | 10 00 | |
| "Otto Mewes, Schraniberg, Würtemberg ... | 10 00 | |
| "Cash ... | 10 00 | |
| "Asch & Jaeckel, New York ... | 10 00 | |
| "Wm. Schultz, 145 Ave. A, New York ... | 8 25 | |
| "Win. L. Walter, 476 Broadway, New York ... | 5 00 | |
| "C. B. Hufnagel, 61 Nassau St.,"" ... | 5 00 | |
| "Gustav Hummel, Mannheim, Germany ... | 4 70 | |
| "E. G. Wiechmann, New York ... | 5 00 | |
| "Ad. Hellenberg,"" ... | 5 00 | |
| "Ignatz Herzog,"" ... | 5 00 | |
| $3,601 30 | ||
II. Annual Contributions of Members. | ||
| For 1864 to 1883 from 1 Member, 20 years @ $10 ... | $200 00 | |
| " 1879 from 1 Member ... | 10 00 | |
| " 1880 "1" ... | 10 00 | |
| " 1881 "2" ... | 20 00 | |
| " 1882 "6" ... | 60 00 | |
| " 1883 "6"@ $100 ...$600 00 | ||
| 18"@ 50 ...900 00 | ||
| 1"@ 30 ...30 00 | ||
| 49"@ 25 ...1,225 00 | ||
| 12"@ 20 ...240 00 | ||
| 17"@ 15 ...255 00 | ||
| 4"@ 12 50 ...50 00 | ||
| 959"@ 10 ...9,590 00 | ||
| | $12,890 00 | |
| For 1884 from 4"@ $10 ...$40 00 | ||
| "1"...30 00 | ||
| | 70 00 | |
| $13,260 00 | ||
| Carried forward ... | $28,521 23 | |
| Brought over ........................ | $28,521 23 | |
III. Interest and Dividends. | ||
| Mortgage on 431 W. 44th St., N.Y. $4,000, 6 m. @ 5% | $100 00 | |
| ""14 Park Place, B'klyn, 3,000, 12 m. @ 5% | 150 00 | |
| ""237 W. 40th St., N.Y. 5,000, 12 m. @ 5% | 250 00 | |
| ""106-108 Gr'nwich Av., | ||
| ""N. Y. 7,000, 12 m. @ 5% | 350 00 | |
| ""345 W. 18th St., N. Y. 3,750, 12 m. @ 5% | 187 50 | |
| ""48 Sullivan St., N.Y. 5,500, 12 m. @ 5% | 330 00 | |
| ""636 Hicks St., B'klyn, 2,000, 12 m. @ 6% | 120 00 | |
| ""446 Canal St., N. Y. 4.000, 12 m. @ 6% | 240 00 | |
| ""998 Second Av., N. Y. 8,000, 12 m. @ 6% | 480 00 | |
| ""1587 Second Av., N.Y. 6,000, 12 m. @ 5½% | 300 00 | |
| ""318 East 33d St., N. Y. 5,000, 12 m. @ 6% | 300 00 | |
| ""52 E. 4th St., N. Y. 8,000. 12 m. @ 5% | 400 00 | |
| ""604 Gr'nwich St., N.Y. 2,500, 12 m. @ 6% | 150 00 | |
| ""606 Henry St., B'klvn, 3,000, 6 m. @ 5% | 75 00 | |
| Rent of 606 Henry St., Brooklyn, 3 months .......... | 137 49 | |
| Dividends on $600 shares of the Mechanics' National Bank | 63 18 | |
| ""$1,000 shares of the Merchants' Nat'nal Bank | 117 80 | |
| Interest on $1,000 Missouri State Bond, 12 m. @ 6% | 60 00 | |
| ""$5,000 Brooklyn Water Loan, 12 m. @ 6% | 300 00 | |
| ""$2,000 United States Bonds, 12 m. @ 4½% | 90 00 | |
| ""temporary deposits in the Central Trust Co. | 72 07 | |
| ""temporary loan to the Banking Department | 16 66 | |
| ""$4,000 capital loaned to the Banking Dep'tm't | ||
| 12 m. @ 5% ............... | 200 00 | |
| $4,519 70 | ||
| $33,040 93 | ||
DISBURSEMENTS. | ||
| The Committee on Charities ..... | $10,955 30 | |
| The German Legal Aid Society ..... | 500 00 | |
| Apothecaries' bills and medical attendance ..... | 1,706 80 | |
| Labor Bureau in Castle Garden ..... | 1,200 00 | |
| Half of office rent ..... | 916 66 | |
| Office expenses ..... | 521 97 | |
| Printing and general expenses ..... | 991 74 | |
| Collection expenses ..... | 991 74 | |
| Salary of Julius Hoffmann................ $2,400 00 | ||
| " " J. D. Krehbiel....................... 1,400 00 | ||
| " " Ad. Niebelschütz..................... 900 00 | ||
| " " Wm. Steil................................ 360 00 | 5,060 00 | 22,351 07 |
| Balance Jan. 1st, 1884 ..... | ....... | $10,689 86 |
| Deposited as follows: | ||
| In the German Savings Bank .......... | $2,502 00 | |
| "" Central Trust Co ......... | 5,000 00 | |
| "" Bank of America .......... | 3,187 86 | |
| $10,689 86 | ||
GUSTAV H. SCHWAB, Treasurer.
New York, January 1, 1884.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT OF THE GERMAN SOCIETY | ||
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. | ||
| Astor Fund .......................................... | $20,000 | |
| New Era Fund ......................................... | 2,000 | |
| Ludewig Fund ......................................... | 1,000 | |
| General Fund ........................................ | 13,600 | |
| Legacy Fund ......... Meno Ehlers........... $500 | ||
| Rudolph Kane ......... 5,000 | ||
| | 5,500 | |
| Reserve Fund of Banking Department ..... | 46,000 | |
| | $88,100 | |
| | ||
invested as follows: | ||
| Bond and Mortgage on 606 Henry St., Brooklyn, @5%.. | $3,200 | |
| """"636 Hicks St., "@6%.. | 2,000 | |
| """"14 Park Place, "@5%.. | 3,000 | |
| """"106-108 Greenwich Ave., | ||
| New York, @5%.. | 7,000 | |
| """"345 W. 18th St., ""@5%.. | 3,750 | |
| """"48 Sullivan St., ""@6%.. | 5,500 | |
| """"446 Canal St., ""@6%.. | 4,000 | |
| """"998 Second Av.,""@6%.. | 8,000 | |
| """"1587""""@5½%.. | 6,000 | |
| """"318 E. 33d St.,""@6%.. | 5,000 | |
| """"604 Gr'wich St.,""@6%.. | 2,500 | |
| """"52 E. 4th St.,""@5%.. | 8,000 | |
| """"431 W. 44th St.,""@5%.. | 4,000 | |
| $61,750 | ||
| 24 shares of the Mechanics' National Bank ..... | $600 | |
| 20 " " " Merchants' National Bank ..... | 1,000 | |
| 1 Missouri State Bond ............... @6% .. | 1,000 | |
| 3 Certificates Brooklyn Water Loan ............ @6% .. | 5,000 | |
| 2 United States Bonds ............. @4% .. | 2,000 | |
| German Savings Bank ..................... | 3,050 | |
| Banking Department of the German Society ............ | 4,000 | |
| Central Trust Co. .................. | 3,300 | |
| United States Trust Co. .................. | 3,400 | |
| Net Profit of the Banking Department for the year 1883 ... | 3,000 | |
| 26,350 | ||
| $88,100 | ||
GUSTAV H. SCHWAB, Treasurer,
New York, January 1, 1884. EMIGRATION.
CASTLE GARDEN.
Total number of passengers arrived here during the year 1883: 454,124; viz.:
| In Steerage. | In Cabins. | |
| 388,261 | 65,863 | |
| Deducting citizens or inhabitants of the | ||
| United States ............... | 9,010 | 39,205 |
| Leaves the following number of emigrants | ||
| arrived in 1883 ............... | 379,251 | 26,658 |
| Or a total of ................. | 405,909 emigrants. | |
The 183,098 German passengers who arrived in 1883 are classified as follows:
| In Steerage. | In Cabins. | |
| 173,145 | 9,953 | |
| Citizens or inhabitants of the United States .. | 2,432 | 3,975 |
| Number of German emigrants arrived in | ||
| 1883 ................... | 170,713 | 5,978 |
| Or a total of .................... | 176,691 German emigrants. | |
The number of emigrants in 1883, exclusive of such as had been here before, or are citizens of the United States, shows a decrease in the total emigration of 70,177, and in the German emigration of 21,777.
The emigration was distributed over the months of the year as follows:
| January ................... 8,870 | July ................ 34,026 |
| February ................. 13,579 | August .............. 28,491 |
| March .................... 28,917 | September ........... 35,229 |
| April .................... 55,402 | October ............. 32,126 |
| May ...................... 71,989 | November ............ 25,603 |
| June ..................... 55,157 | December ............ 16,520 |
| | |
| 405,909 |
the past ten years, with particular reference to the German element:
1883 Total emigration ...... 405,909 of whom 176,691 Germans.
1882"" ........ 470,086"198,468"
1881"" ........ 455,681"198,933"
1880"" ........ 327,371"104,624"
1879"" ........ 135,070" 33,574"
1878"" ........ 75,347" 23,051"
1877"" ........ 54,536" 17,753"
1876"" ........ 68,264" 21,035"
1875"" ........ 84,560" 25,559"
1874"" ........ 140,041" 40,302"
Total of the last 10 years 2,222,865 of whom 840,790 Germans.
The emigration during the year 1883 was distributed according to nationalities as follows:
| Total, | ||
| Germans ....................... | 176,691 | |
| Irish .......................... | 55,184 | |
| Scotch ......................... | 8,922 | |
| English ........................ | 41,525 | |
| Welsh .......................... | 3,840 | |
| 109,471 | ||
| Swedes ......................... | 19,976 | |
| Norwegians ..................... | 11,939 | |
| 31,915 | ||
| Italians ....................... | 25,485 | |
| Austrians, Bohemians, and Hungarians ..... | 21,132 | |
| Russians ....................... | 7,577 | |
| Danes .......................... | 8,404 | |
| Swiss .......................... | 10,326 | |
| Dutch .......................... | 3,971 | |
| French ......................... | 3,932 | |
| Spaniards ...................... | 1,161 | |
| Belgians ....................... | 1,331 | |
| Natives of Luxembourg .......... | 386 | |
| Other Nationalities ............ | 4,127 | |
| Total ........ | 405,909 |
|
Name of State.Number of |
Name of State.Number of |
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LABOR
BUREAU IN CASTLE GARDEN,
In joint charge of the German Society and of the Irish Society.
New York, January 23, 1884.
The following is a summary of the business of the Labor Bureau in Castle Garden, during the year 1883.
I. Employment was procured by the Bureau, from January 1st to December 31st, 1883, for 27,758 emigrants, viz.: 19,519 men and 8384 women; including 395 families, comprising 1180 persons.
II. The work given may be classified as follows: Of the men, 4314 were mechanics by trade, and 15,205 agricultural or other laborers. The women with few exceptions were hired out as cooks and servants.
III. The skilled labor found the following employment:
|
Apothecaries . . . . . . . . . 3 |
Goldsmiths . . . . . . . . . . 4 |
|
Germans . . . . . . . . . .12,502 |
Russians and Poles . . . . . .220 |
Of the women, 1878 were Germans, who were mostly hired out in the city of New York and its vicinity; the demand, however, exceeded the supply, more than three times, and therefore the orders from out of town could be only partially filled.
V. Distribution of workmen according to States:
|
Alabama . . . . . . . . . .2 |
New York . . . . . . . 8,104 |
VI. The average monthly wages may be stated as follows:
|
Men.Women. |
Men.Women. |
Day-laborers received from $1.00 to $1.50 a day, without board.
The wages for mechanics cannot be given, as the latter are paid according to their abilities, and as the amount of wages is fixed only after a trial of a week's work.
The decrease, in comparison with the preceding year, is owing chiefly to three causes: 1st, the large orders from railroad and mining corporations ceased almost entirely, likewise orders from Southern States. 2d, field- hands were very scarce during the months of April, May, June, and July, so that many orders could not be filled. 3d, the demand for laborers in September was very slight, although hundreds of workmen were ready and willing to take any kind of employment.
L. P. REICHARD,
CHARTER
OF THE
GERMAN SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
AN ACT
Passed April 14th, 1825}}
Whereas, the Act to incorporate the German Society of the City of New York for charitable purposes, passed April 6th, 1804, expires by its own limitation, on the first Monday in April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, and the members of the German Society of the City of New York, having petitioned the Legislature to incorporate the said Society permanently, for the laudable purpose of continuing to assist German emigrants, and to afford relief to distressed Germans and their descendants:
Therefore, be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That George Arcularius, Martin Hoffmann, F. C. Schaeffer, Theodore Meyer, J. W. Schmidt, Jacob Lorillard, J. P. Groshon, Anthony Steenback, F. W. Geissenhainer, George Meyer, and Philipp Hone, and such other persons as on the third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, may be, or from time to time become members, shall be, and hereby are constituted a body corporate and politic forever hereafter, by the name of "The German Society of the City of New York," and that, by that name, they shall have perpetual succession, and shall be persons capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever, and all manner of action and actions, suits, complaints, matters and causes whatsoever; and may have a common seal, and may change or alter the same, from time to time; and shall he capable of purchasing, taking, holding, and enjoying to them and their successors, any real estate, in fee simple or otherwise, and any goods, chattels, and personal estate, or any part thereof, at their will and pleasure: Provided always, That the funds of the said Corporation shall never be diverted to any other than the charitable purposes stated in the preamble of this Act; and provided also, That the clear annual income of the real and personal estate of the said Corporation shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars
And be it further enacted, That the said Society shall, from time to time, forever hereafter, have power to make, ordain, establish, and alter such by-laws and regulations as they shall think proper, for the election of their officers; for prescribing their respective functions, and the mode of discharging the same; for the filling up of vacancies; for the admission of new members; for regulating the times and places of meeting of the said Society; for suspending or expelling such members as shall neglect or refuse to comply with the by-laws or regulations, and for the managing or directing the affairs and concerns of the said Society: Provided, That such by-laws and regulations be not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State or of the United States.
And be it farther enacted, That the officers of the said Society shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secreary, a Treasurer, and seven Assistants, and such other officers as the Society may judge necessary, who shall be annually chosen from among the resident members, and who shall continue in office for one year, or until others be elected in their stead; that if the annual election shall not be held at any of the days for that purpose appointed, it shall be lawful to make such election at any other day, and that thirteen members of the Society, assembling at that place and time designated for that purpose, by any by-law or regulation of the Society, shall constitute a legal meeting thereof.
And be it further enacted, That the Board of Officers shall, at least once in every year, exhibit to a meeting of this Society an exact account of the receipts and disbursements during the preceding year.
And be it further enacted, That George Arcularius shall be the President; Martin Hoffmann, the Vice-President; F. C. Schaeffer, the Secretary; Theo. Meyer, the Treasurer; and John W. Schmidt, Jacob Lorillard, John P. Groshon, Anthony Steenback, F. W. Geissenhainer, George Meyer, and Philipp Hone, the Assistants; severally to be the first officers of the said Corporation, under this Act, who shall hold their respective offices until the twenty-second day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six, and until others shall be chosen in their places.
And be it further enacted, That this Act be, and hereby is declared to be a public Act, and that the same be construed in all courts, and places, benignly and favorably for every beneficial purpose therein intended.
State of New York,
Secretary's Office.
I certify the preceding to be a true copy of an original Act of the Legislature of this State, on file in this office.
(Signed)ARCH'D CAMPBELL,
Dep. Secretary.
Albany, May 5, 1825.
AN ACT
To amend chapter one hundred and fifty-one of the laws of eighteen hundred and twenty-five, entitled "An Act to revive and continue the Act, entitled 'An Act to incorporate the German Society in the City of New York.'
Passed June 5th, 1879.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section I. Section one of chapter one hundred and fifty-one of the laws of eighteen hundred and twenty-five, entitled "An Act to revive and continue the Act entitled 'An Act to incorporate the German Society in the City of New York,' " is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
§ 1. George Arcularius, Martin Hoffmann, F. C. Schaeffer, Theodore Meyer, J. W. Schmidt, Jacob Lorillard, J. P. Groshon, Anthony Steenback, F. W. Geissenhainer, George Meyer, and Philipp Hone, and such other persons as on the third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twentyfive, were, or from time to time have become members, shall be and hereby are constituted a body corporate and politic forever hereafter, by the name of the "German Society of the City of New York;" and that by that name they shall have perpetual succession, and shall be persons capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever, and all manner of action and actions, suits, complaints, matters and causes whatsoever, and may have a common seal, and may change or alter the same from time to time, and shall be capable of purchasing, taking, holding and enjoying, to them and their successors, any real estate in fee simple or otherwise, any goods, chattels, and personal estate, or any part thereof, at their will and pleasure.* And also to accept and execute all trusts, and perform duties of every description not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as may be committed to it by any person or persons whatsoever, or by any corporation, or by order of the Supreme Court, or by a Surrogate, or by any Courts of Record. To take and accept by grant, assignment, transfer, devise or bequest, and hold any real or personal estate, on trusts created in accordance with the laws of this State, or of the United States, and execute such legal trusts in regard to same on such terms as may be declared, established or agreed upon in regard thereto; provided, always, that the funds of the said corporation shall never be diverted to any other than the charitable purposes stated in the preamble of this act; and provided, also, that the clear annual income of the real and personal estate of the said corporation shall never exceed the sum of three ** thousand dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Albany, June 5, 1879.
Passed May 27, 1882, three fifths being present, as follows:
*Add:
And also to sell and dispose of any and all real and personal estate as well such as they may now possess, or at any time hereafter acquire.
** Ten (instead of three) thousand dollars.
- ↑ The destination is not always correctly given by the emigrants, as many name New York as their intended place of settlement, in order to await friends or relations here, etc., but proceed on their journey in the course of a few days. The number of emigrants remaining in the State of New York is therefore probably much smaller than that given above.