The New Labor Exchange at Castle Garden - 1868

Introduction

The article "New Labor Exchange at Castle Garden - 1868" provides a detailed account of the establishment of a labor exchange at Castle Garden, New York’s primary immigrant processing center during the 19th century. The labor exchange was created to help newly arrived immigrants find employment, ensuring they could quickly integrate into American society. The article highlights the purpose of the labor exchange, the types of jobs available, and the impact it had on both immigrants and the labor market of the time.

The Labor Exchange -- Interior View of the Office at Castle Garden, New York. Sketed by Stanley Fox. Harper's Weekly, 15 August 1868. GGA Image ID # 14805c4868

The rapidly increasing business in the Labor Exchange at Castle Garden has induced the Commissioners of Emigration to erect a new and commodious frame building to be used as a labor depot.

The present office was built only about twelve months ago, but as the bureau's business has increased threefold in that short period, much additional accommodation has become necessary. To meet the need, a new building has been erected on the land side of the rotunda, near the old office.

It is 80 feet long, 50 feet wide, and the sides 12 feet high to the roof, which slopes upwards. In the middle of the roof, and running nearly its whole length, an open skylight and ventilator rise to 8 feet. The roof is entirely covered with tin, which is painted brown—the same color as the outside of the building.

At each end of the building, there are six windows and a door. Five oaken pillars support each side of the raised skylight and divide the room into three nearly equal parts.

The interior is not yet fitted out, but it is intended to have seats at the sides for emigrants' accommodation, while the middle of the floor will be appropriated for the officers' desks and the convenience of employers.

Once completed, the labor depot will exude a bright, cheerful ambiance, promising a comfortable and convenient experience for all users. The ongoing work by the painters and carpenters is a testament to the commitment to providing a welcoming environment for emigrants and employers.

The contractors are Messrs. W. H. Gedney & Co., builders, 143 West 40th Street, and the painting is in the hands of Mr. Hall, 8 James Slip. The building will cost about $6,000 and will be ready for opening on the first of October. Architects, Ritch & Griffith.

The Labor Exchange plays a vital role in aiding immigrants, a fact that is often overlooked. The amount of good it does is truly immeasurable, and its value can only be fully appreciated by those who arrive in a new land, devoid of money and friends.

The Exchange is constantly engaged in procuring employment for those who want it. The names, occupations, and other particulars regarding them are taken down as soon as they land, and according to applications for help received, they are sent out to supply the demand.

Those sent out remain under the ægis of the institution for five years. If they are wronged or ill-treated by their employers, they can obtain redress by applying at the bureau.

Useless complaints are not listened to, and as great care is exercised in ascertaining the character of employers seeking assistance, and as none but proper parties need to apply, complaints like angels' visits are few and far between.

Emigrants leaving the city are provided with railroad and steamboat tickets at the lowest rates. Duly authorized officers protect them from sharpers and runners, only allowing them out of sight once they leave for their destinations.

Persons requiring help cannot do better than to call the Labor Exchange. Applications for laborers, servants, etc., are constantly received from this city and all cities and States in the Union.

While we were there lately, fifty laborers were employed at $15 a month to work in the interior of the State; many girls were also employed as domestics in respectable families.

The Commissioners expect that when the department is reorganized and located in its new building, it will be more efficient and extend its sphere of usefulness more widely. Mr. O'Callahan, an Irishman, is in charge of Irish immigrants, and Mr. Kock, a German, is in charge of his own countrymen. Bernard Casserley, Esq., is the general agent and superintendent.

John W. Kennion, "The New Labor Exchange, Castle Garden," in The Architects' and Builders' Guide: An Elaborate Description of All the Public, Commercial, Philanthropic, Literary, & Ecclesiastical Buildings Already Constructed, and About to be Erected Next Spring in New York and Its Environs, With Their Cost Respectively, and the Names of the Architects and Builders, New York: Fitzpatrick & Hunter, 1868, pp. 55-57

Key Points

• Purpose of the Labor Exchange: The labor exchange was established to connect newly arrived immigrants with employment opportunities, aiding their transition into American life.
• Job Opportunities: The exchange offered a variety of jobs, primarily in manual labor and domestic services, reflecting the economic needs of the era.
• Impact on Immigrants: By providing immediate employment, the labor exchange played a crucial role in helping immigrants secure financial stability and avoid poverty.
• Role of Castle Garden: Castle Garden served not only as an immigration processing center but also as a gateway to economic opportunity through initiatives like the labor exchange.
• Economic and Social Implications: The labor exchange contributed to the broader economy by supplying labor to industries in need and helped mitigate some of the social challenges associated with mass immigration.

Summary

The article discusses the creation and operation of the labor exchange at Castle Garden in 1868, a significant development in the support system for newly arrived immigrants. The labor exchange was designed to connect immigrants with employment opportunities, which was essential for their economic survival and integration into American society. It provided jobs primarily in manual labor and domestic services, which were in high demand at the time. By facilitating access to employment, the labor exchange helped immigrants establish themselves in their new country and contributed to the broader American economy.

Conclusion

The establishment of the labor exchange at Castle Garden in 1868 was a critical initiative in supporting the influx of immigrants to the United States. It not only helped immigrants find work and achieve financial independence but also played a vital role in the economic development of the nation. The article highlights how this early effort to integrate immigrants into the labor force set the stage for future immigration policies and labor practices in the U.S.