The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-19
Visit OF usc Legislature Elect Ia Wards
leland.

For some years past It has been customary for tn,
Ahnshouse Governors ami the Commissioners of Emgra
ton to invite the Legislature elect previous to entering
on their duties to visit the public institutions B ck
wells, Randalra and Wards Islands, that they ma,
know something Of their character and vote understand
ingy questions that may up In the Legsatur,
relative to our city charities
In pursuance OF this CUSTOM the members OF the Stat.
Legislature from this city visited Wards Island yeste
day, upon invitation of the Commissioners of Emigra ton
majority of the members of the Board accompanying
them, in order to facilitate their Investigations.
The party, consisting Of the members elect, the Com
mssioners their guests and the representatives Of the
press, started from the Aston House at IL A. NJ and in
due time arrived at the foot or 106h street. where they
took boats to Wards Island. Here they were me,
by the Superintendent and Resident Physician, who
conducted the company TO the hospital and afterwards
tn the ether buildings, all Of which were duly pec.ed
The obsetric, syphitc, and nursery departments were
next visited, and the legislators much edited with
what they saw therein Wards Island has for some
months past been under the Of new superintend
ant Mr.. Amos Pillsbury, and the changes effected by
him have been most satisfactory. The number of paid
gme from 207 to 90; yet the institutions never 70
Clearly, or in such good ORDER at present. Ii was
'ndt the hopal smell so offensive IN large
on Wards Island. Although the accommodations are
much better now than before, brick build
iDgs have beer erected Of late years. and many other
necessities provided, the number OF inmates in the nst
tuition is far less than at any period since the
q inc eomm'ssion s some eight years ago
persons on the sand the average number now il but
LOO nor will it be much greater, present indications
After the institutions inspected and criticised the
company were taken TO the Superintendent house,
where refr eshments, solid 0nd liquid, served up
and speeches made by the guests.
Hon. GuLAS c. vERrAScK, President of the Board Of
Commissioners, presided at the collation. and at Its
cuson rose and welcomed the legislators elect Since
the establishment Of the Commission four millions
of cmgrants had arrived and Of these fourth had
been specially cared for by the Boord Most of these
people had worked their way out TO tho far West whe-e
by honest industry they creating wealth ior them
selves and the country Emigration had lately ialien or
itself somewhat embarrassed, they missed the 80 per
head Communication tax paid by the emigrant.
Hon. pASiu. f. sIcxIEs responded behalf Of the
State legislature. He was pleased with what he hid
that day, and the information he and his fellow
legislators had received would doubt be valuable
to them in the performance Of their duties. Mr..
done for this country in developing it's resources and
TO do all be could to promote the great objects r mhi.
that commission established. Mr. Sckea said he was
that there wa; much = S was
Mr. :. closed with an appropriate culogy Wards
Islsne as school Of medicine and surgery.
Of the interior suffered from lack Of aborers and in taat
view the stoppage of emigration great evil. Tne
price n@u sna every Gss ar % 90
their hired labor. The sons Of the Germans aud Irih
often became the arisocracy Of the country Mr. Bishop
horcd that feeling would operate 70 prevent tho
hearts OF those present from welcoming the people
other countries her faiths. For he would pre-
fer to have the great West filed with white emgrants
rather than blacks.
urs. Fay and Carnochan were next toasted and re.
sropded appf opriately behalf Of the medical staff
Hon Chas Mills, David o'keefc and Joseph H. Petty
also spoke in response to comp ilnentary toasts.
Mr. William }. Rose responded, in eloquent speech
on behalf OF the press.
Rev DR.. Burchard, Hon. Sam Brcyoort Hon. Francis
B. Guest, Com Kelly, W. l. ormshy, jr., aud others
were seveIsiy called upon, and spoke.
The company returned To tho city late In the evening
To-day the members elect will visit the n Hosp,a auj
the nouse Of Refuge on R,ndslls Island