to form the majority of the criminal class. Of all the results of immigration the increase of pauperism was the most important. In June, 1852, a report on foreign paupers was made to the city council of Boston: "In the opinion of your Committee the great and continual influx of Foreign Paupers among us has become an alarming evil, and one which should arrest the attention of all citizens." (1). From 1841-1852 the number of state paupers, most of whom were foreigners without a residence in any town, rapidly increased. A comparison between the following table and that of the number of immigrants arrived during the same period is interesting. We have in each the same sudden rise that in the table of paupers occurring a few years later. The social character of the immigrants is evident, for many soon required assistance. The whole number of paupers who received support within the year ending June 1, 1850, was 15,777; of this number 9,247, or 58%. were foreign born. (2). Ten years later the number of paupers supported was 18,010 native born and 33,870 foreign, or 65% of the (1). Boston City Document (1852), No. 30. (2). Abstract of Seventh Census, p. 28. total number (1). In 1851 we find that 11,905 out of 12,940 foreign paupers were English- or Irish-born. and 2,000 had come into the state within a single year (2). In 1861, out of 24,917 foreign paupers 22,484 were from England and Ireland (3). In 1845 the amount received for alien passengers was $6,920.24 and the amount expended for their support $66,914.94; in 1854, there was received $52,634.73, and expended $100,533.30 (4). The cost to the state was very heavy for the support of the foreign dependent class. The British Charitable Society already mentioned, in the seven years preceeding 1863, inquired into 2,000 cases and expended about $4,000 in relieving the distress of British emigrants (5). The state of Massachusetts sought to prevent alien paupers from entering its borders. In 1848 their management was placed under control of a superintendent of alien passengers, who was to examine poor. 1) Eighth Census, vol. on Mortality, etc., p.512. 2) Boston Transcript, January 16,1852. 3) Mass. Pub. Doc. (1861), Returns relating to the (4) Alica Commissioner's Report (1854), pp.50-51. 5) Report of British Charitable Soc.(1863),p.4. into the condition of the new arrivals. If any lunatic or indigent person shall be found, "no such alien passenger shall be permitted to land until bond is given by the master that no such lunatic or indigent passenger shall even become a city, town or state charge; provided tha if evidence be shown that such passengers are not likely to become chargeable the Superintendent may permit landing on payment of two dollars"(1). In 1849 the supreme court of the United States decided that "the collection of money for alien passengers before they were permitted to land was unconstitutional and void, because a regulation of foreign commerce"(2). It was required therefore, by a statute of 1850, that who-so-ever should bring aliens to any port of the commonwealth should give a bond for each passenger, safeguarding the state against anv alicn becoming a public charge. In default of giving such bond, the sum of $1,000 was to be forfeited; but it was at the option of every per 1 Laws of Massachusetts (1848), ch.313. |