The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-26
TEE COMMISSIONERS IN TEE CASTLE.
What Evidence the Committee Condescended to
ucnsidvr and What They Discredited-
chV.ges Against the Commission Itself
"A Discordant Discussion-Who Il tho
IiarAA Seven-H Hundred Dollar
Stairway by Way Of Satire.

An excited meeting OF the Board Of Emigration
was held yesterday at Castle Garden, at which the
following Commissioners were present:-Messrs.
0'Gcrman, Kaufman, Wallach, Nicholson. Forrest
Hart. Lynch and Mayor Powell, Of Brooklyn. 1t
was apparent to a casual observer, upon the begin
ming OF the proceedings, that some unusual ais
tnrpance OF the drowsy serenity which usually
characterixcs the sittings OF the body was about
70 occur, and cast troublOus shadows upon the
faces ranged about the executive table. wallach
was stern and sullen, Lynch was bitter ana GYM
cal, OaGorman was polished and sarcastic mart
was savage and glaring, Kaufman was deeply pen
rive Nicholson wore deprecative and good-nar
tured air, Forrest looked grave and benevolent
ana Powell was observant and harmless.
INCREASE OF SALARIES.
the first business OF Importance was the report
OF the Wards Island Committee, in which it was
recommended that the salaries of officials in that
department be increased-that OF the Warden
from $1,000 to $500, that Of the Deputy Warden
em $500 to 81 600, and those OF the rest OF the
employees in an approximate ratio. There was
need or on overseer Of outdoor labor, and it was
recommended that one Joseph Hern, already get
ting salary OF 5000, be appointed TO I'LL the for
mer otlce also, with salary for both positions OF
$1,000.
Mr.. Kaufman objected to an increase Of Hcrns
salary on the ground that his present position was
almost sinecure, and that 1t was about time that
nc did something as an equivalent for the pay
which he vas receiving. He objected also to the
increase OF other salaries The Warden already
received So, COO, and supplies frem the department
to the value of 500 annually. The Deputy War
den received $1,000, and supplies to the value OF
$500, and Mrs. Maloy, matron, to whose salary it
was proposed to add $500, had, during the yeal'
that 4hAaA fant
were considered, they seemed to be amply paid for
their services to the Commission. lie did not
intend to aid in wasting the money OF the Board,
NOR, on the other hand, in doing injury to any Of
the officials in its employ. $1,000
On motion OF Mr. Nicholson the report was re-
committed to the committee Tor reconsideration.
MARY QUINLAN's LEG.
The report OF tho regular business OF the Castle
Garden Committee recommended that an artificial
leg be furnished to Mary Quinlan. 1t was adopted
without dissent.
NICHOLAS MULLER.
The special report of the Castle Garden Committee
on the Investigation Of the charges preferred
against Nicholas Muller was then taken up and
read 1t will be remembered that on three previous
eonyocations OF the Board the absence OF a quorum
OF members made 1t impossible for this question to
be decided; but, all excuses for non-attendance
having perhaps been exhausted, fate willed that
IL should yesterday be brought to the test. 1t il
remarkable TACT that the Commissioner, whose
presence was wanted on these occasions and who
ehanccd to be troubled with Illness might have
been seen on Broadway about the same hour that
the poard were anXlously waiting ms coming.
The report gives what might, perhaps, be sup
posed To he digest OF the evidence adduced upon
the investigation, and then the conclusions OF the
committee in reference to each charge without
supporting them by any arguments in their favor.
Tue whitewashlng Is done with commendablc
adrOltness. AS TO the first charge, 1t says that
s.,.n
record OF the conviction OF Muller in the Court OF
General Sessions August Is, 1860 fer the statu-
tory misdcmeanor Of soliciting an emigrant to buy
IA steamship ticket without license ON tnis con-
yiction Muller was sentenced TO three months con-
hncment IN the County jan, place reserved
chiefly tor the detention and punishment Of civil
and not criminal Offenders. There u.s." continues
the report with cheerful urbanty, mo evidence
that any fraud upon an emigrant had been csm-
mltted or attempted, and this technical violation
Of the statute, occurring at so early peri0i-
nearly thirteen years ago-does not in the opinion
q! your committee. evlnce any such neral turpl-
tudc as would unit man Tor discharging properly
the duties OF ticket agent to wncn the said Muller
has been appointed by the Erie Railway Company
In reference to the third charge the evidence
OF McGrath that che had been informed by an emf
grant OF certain alleged misconduct by said Muler''
~ rejected as unreliable, but that OF Muller himself
is accepted as having great weight. In this tes-
timony he acknowledges that he did sell full first
class ticket to an emigrant for his daughter, who
was yet to arrive, and Tor whom he was to keepIt
lii sine should come, but neglects to say anything
about the $40 which, 1t Is alleged he received from
the em,grant TO defray the expenses OF the Child
her way to Chicago, whittier he was to send her.
The testimony or Thomas Kenneally the police
officer in relation to the fourth charge is also re-
jected as Unreliable ana that OF the witness Tor the
defence, superintendent Casserly, is accepted as
conclusive proof OF its having no foundation, al
though the latter witness only swOre to the details
OF a conversation which took place several years
ago
THE CHARGES UNsusrAINED.
The substance Of the report ID found IN the follow
ing Words
The conclusion of your committee is that nothing has
a
tho said Muller rom properly performing the duties Of
atCaste Garden.
Mr.. KAUFMAN made motion that the report be
placed or file, and 1T was carried.
Mr.. WALLACE moved that the application OF
Nicholas Muller to act as agent Of the Erie Railway
Company IN Castle Garden be refused. He entirely
differed from the conclusions announced In the re-
port The Board OF Emigration was in existence
SIMPLY and only for the protection OF emigrants.
0e in future, overcharged; but it was duty TO be
performed that all that was possible shenld be
done TO ensure them justice and proper treatment.
He quoted the law in regard to
THE SOLICITING OF MIGRANTS
as passengers by any persen without license.
kr. Muller had admitted that he had disObeyed
this law. He had acted as a runner" without q
license In regard to the third charge, If Mullers
own statement was to be relied on he had admit
ted that at the time specided he had sold a 1nIl
brst class ticket for Chicago to enigrant fer his
child who was yet to arrive. and that this be-
about 1t. Yet he undertook to give this ticket to
the child In entire Ignorance Of any means by
u
time she would come. And 1t was only on this
matter being represented to the Commissioners
that he induced to deliver up the ticket to the
proper authority in Castle Garden, to be given 70
the girl when she should arrive. lie was surprised
that although law OF prohibition had been passed
by the German Empire, IL was one Of
the evils which emigrants still suffered OR
leaving the old country to be booked on
the other side by ticket dealers, who
improved the opportunities offered to impose
upon and rob them. To MS personal knowledge
Muller had eyaded this law. He had appointed
IN. fo
which, upon presentation at his ofce here, were
exchanged by him Tor railway tickets. He wished
to REFER too, to other mattersthe relations Of Mui
Jer all Of whom were
LIVING ON EMIGRANTs.
HIS brother was O clerk IN the Wards Island Blu
reau. His second brother had kept @ boarding
mouse IN Greenwich street, and, alter selling that
business. had been guilty OF mlsdemeanor by the
Ietentlcn OF the badge given him by the Board.
thlrd brother was now In Castle Garden. and sup