The New York herald., 1870-03-13
THE WARDS ISLAND EMEUTE.
Further Testimony Concerning the Management
Of The Commissioners Of Emigration.
How the Money Goes-An Emigrant's 'Testimo-
ny-Inmates Of the Wards Island Insti-
tuition Kicked, Cuffed and III l'Treated-
Close Of the InveStigation.


sAton, OF which Lawrence u. Herman Is chairman,
assembled At Castle Garden yesterday, at eleven
O'Clock, Tor the purpose of taxing further testimony
- 10 the causes OF the recent riot Wards Island
snd the alleged inability OF the Commissioners OF
Emigration TO take proper care OF tho emgrants.
The following named members were present:~-
kiernan, Bergen, Nachtman, Huested, Clark. Decker
and kavsnagh. As the evidence taken at the pre-
sioos meeting showed that certain Mr.. Walton
enjoyed the monopoly Of the repairing business on
wards Island the committee had that gentleman
brought before them for examination. His test,-
mony N important as showing 'how the money
coca"
isaac Walton, builder, examlned-I commenced
working ON Wards Island for the Commissioners in
April, 1861; worked on every building there since,
except the Insane Asylnm the amount received for
work was CO.. goo; one job amounted to $50 900; 1
made 10 contract; maie q statement from time to
time the work was done not by contract, nut by
special arrangement with the Comm ssioners; Mr.
Isaac 4. smith introduced me TO the Board; re-
cclved ten per cent on the amount OF materials
furnished; none or the Commissioners were inter.
ested. directly or indirectly, in the jobs; /
worked Tor the Metropolitan savings Bank, OF
which Mr.. Commissioner Smith is President;iI
got eight and hair per cent for doing the latter
work; the reason Why charged the Commissioners
more was because the work was more diflcult
was an applicant FOR the carpenter work on the pro-
posed asylum; would not do IL by contract; re-
eciyed iittc encouragement from tho Commission
er.; aware tnat resolution passed the Board
giving me tho Nofk without my having to contract
for az tue amount of carpenter work on building
NAT wond cost $3.50 0o) would he about $500 the
proportion OF carpenter work on ordinary buildings
would DC from one-thrd TO one haf according 10 the
style Of the building; never asked Mr.. smith or MIR.
Loutre Tor the carpenter WORK. and tue hrst ntlna
ton had tnat AZ awarded me WAS tue an
nouneement Ia the pubic papers; my net proats on
or "A Ou "A MI tan mar
cent on $1,000 IN three years. or about $1,000; |
have generally irom ooe TO .hirty men az work on
the Island, they were appointed BY myself; 1 have
men at work there now; don't know anything
about the recent not
Question by Mr. Bergen-Do you charge Q per-
eentage on the aoor as well as per centagc on the
mater ial furnshedf
Answer-Yes. ten per cent when pay four dollars
per day aud charge the Commissioners - ~ per
man
Alsxanser Merrick. an ~ngIaeer. was then sworn
and examined. He testified ioows:--I am an IN.
mate OF the Wards isand Institution SINCE the sh
Of last February; the riot on the island WAS caused
~ VI treatment on the part OF t1e Officers and In
snirclency OF food; the men were orten kicked and
cufrsd by the policemen ana the oricials wit
of os the aoos ana I" ,sau .suc. .na Or e.
forks ana spoons. but nothing new vas ell
saisa Inc ,ssenmoasi,oa. s 10, TO, washing wsrs
for zoo men and three towels; the towels were ouly
changed every eight DAYS while ] WAS there; the
emgTanfs petitloned the superintendent. pointing
out the abuses aud asking Tor better treatment but
no answer was rstnrned: we then determined 70
wsh hiu w Vody snu tepuSse an ckpiAnh-
uoD, and did 90 ON Monday; hils going down 10 the
ONCE two of our number were arrested; We de-
manded thcirire eases Mr. Wells, the superintendent
was armed with club and o revolver, and refused
TO give ap the prisoners; all tho officials and atten-
dznts were armed with sticks. c.uDs aud p,eccs OF
Iron; there was some clubbing BY fhs police men;
Was dubbed on the left shoulder; numoer OF us
were afterwards put OF tho is-and; we hed . meet
Ing In the ny lal PARK, ana subsequently, waited
upon The Commissioners at Castle Garden but got
no Satisfaction; previous to the riot tue Superln-
tendent WAS not IN the habit OF giving extra food to
men employed In outdoor work: don't know any
body on the island who has been tne reading
not; don't think thai the inmates al,o wed 10 70
there, the room 10, n ls said about ten feet square
The beds on which We had 10 sleep sw arm with
vcrmin; complaints have been made 10 the supcrin
tendent out nothing came OF Y.
the riot His evidence vas direct aud positive, fully
corrobQrang that Of the other inmates OF tho Wards
inlan1 Institution previously examined, and sho wed
concusivcy that tho shameful aud disgusting state
OF AFFAIRS on tbs island which the invcstig alton has
brought 10 night has long continued
The chairman OF the Committee, Mr.. Herman,
who on this, as well ~ on tue previous occasions
conducted the examination OF the witnesses with
remarkable sklll aud address, thcu declared the In.
vcstgaton closed. The committee viii report TO the
House Dy bill tins week.
very substantial lunch was prepared for the
company at one O'Clock In the room where the
investigation was held, and tho Jolly sereeantat-
Arms Roche took gooa care that none OF Il went
over under the rule but moved, early and often 70
take II from the tabs. Through the courtesy OF Mr.
Bernard Casssrly, the superintendent NJ Castle Gar
den. steamer was placed NJ the disposal OF the
committee. on which they soon after embarked and
proceeded up the river TO the weenawken Terry.