The New York herald., 1873-11-26
COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION.
End of tine Wards Island
Chu'ch War.
Reports by Commissioners Stevenson and
Lynch-A Heated Debate-Nhe Roman Cath
olic Chapel Opened to ell Denominations.

afternoon at two O'Clock. in their office In Castle
Garden, President Hurlburt in the chair. The min
utes OF the last meeting were read and approved.
The Castle Garden Committee submitted
lengthy report, showing that some OF the boarding
houses around Castle Garden we're interfered with
by missionaries that the salaries OF assistant gate
keepers were fixed at 5000 year. that there were
a great many applicants for situations and work;
that large number Of bills had been audited that
the Comptroller had called the attention OF the
committee to the ncn-payment of $4,000 for rent
for Castle Garden &C. The report was adopted.
The Wards Island Committee submitted re-
port in regard to the employment OF additional
watchmen; various repairs and additions to build
ings; the appointments of new nurses and order
lies; the laying OF an additional pipe for the sup
ply OF Croton water, and the payment OF sundry
bills. The report was also approved
Commissioner LYNCH suggested that the Police
Commissioners be requested to
DETAIL TWO POLICEMEN
to Wards Island. The suggestion was received.
The Finance Committee submitted a report upon
various claims and bills. Approved.
A communication from the New York Central
Railroad in regard TO the proposed transfer OF emf
grants from Castle Garden to the Central depot
was read 1t stated that the officers or the rail-
road had the subject now under consideration.
Laid on file.
Commissioner STEVENSON read the report OF the
Wards Island Committee on the erection OF the
chapel on Wards Island.
Commissioner LYNCH protested against the read
ing OF the report, as 1t did not emanate from the
committee but merely from one single individual.
The report read by Commissioner Stevenson was
to the effect that all denominations had right to
use the chapel in Wards Island. but that the
Roman Catholic chaplain claimed its exclusive use
for the Roman Catholic religion. This was con-
trary to all principles of the department., and in
fact, OF the constitution OF the State The commit
tee expressed their hope that dogmas of faith
should never be allowed to interfere with the
agement of civil and municipal affairs. The COM
mlttee recommended a resolution that the Super
intendent be instructed to use the chapel
FOR ALL DENOMINATIONS,
and that this rule be enforced by proper regula-
tions.
Commissioner MAUJER moved to adopt the re.
port.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER LYNCH.
Commissioners LYNCH then read the following
report
The Undersigned member of the Wards Island Com
Board Commissioners Emigration held the Board
subject of the chapel begs eaye RESPECTFULLY to submit
Tor the consideration of the Commission the following
me undersigned, in compliance with call for meet.
Sth July last and found assembled the toowing mem
The Rey G. Schmidt Protestant chaplain, and Rev.
called and sSaSined by the Chairman; ' ,. WV.
@ 9y Isjsad s
Hf % Of as & aa asrm the then
Once Ne III
the Chairman and suggested that the present examin
The object of the resolution referring the religious
at he ia n
dersgned for the purpose examining to the right
TO be % s e
tons and he will therefore conne himself TO that branch
The right Of the Commissioners of Emigration to do
the Board in ss until Within the past two years When
the Bo ha He sS to he
or erect building tor the use Of any par
,sa, ,ss
weep M to pl ny bnS hd
Saidnss alyIns a. The shsn
that their predecessors in office who originally appro
ngs for Catholic and froiestsns Chapel had not ex
ceeded their official duty and that in continuing such
requested the opinion OF Mr. John X Porter the
The question now before the Board is whether it will
be governed by the opinion Of the late counsel Mr. W. $
PIRATE any building whatever Tor divine worship or that
to sppfoprate and apart one or more buildings for
places Of worship in the Judgment Of the Board would
truly tend to the spiritual advantage and comfort
% did his Si
Sn dylss ADVISED ,Rs
commission This was done, and the Board was to a
great extent then governed in Is action by the opinion
admitting that the Board should guided rather BY
member Of the profession, What value can the majority
o. the present Board place in the opinion Of lawyer
Of less than two monthsi The reason for this action
counsel being in full political accord with the majority
The Undersigned believes that freedom practice their
any restraint whatever while in the charge and care OF
the commission To DO this was 70 years ago decided
no citizens were more eminent for intellect, statesman
Of Of Embraced nde
the head OF Catholic and Protestant, and comprising
tho Island be
it may be Claimed that in other public institutions
asEs sn G @ ye 5 dh Sa
while this commission IS strictly speaking creature OF
Other public institutions are sustained by money con.
trbuted BY one portion the community or the support
own money deposited at the time Of payment Of his
which maintains the institutions on wards Island and
supports him while there and that he himself provides
the Joint trustees OF himself and the State expend for his
10 correct existing msapprehensIon this chapel
may not be out Of Pase b here to give CON
od Of e 6a 1n in the
representations OF the then Protestant chaplain who
and
and not well ventilated chapel for the Proestans
fitted the second Hoor OF recently erected and
commodous two story brick building 2s feet wide by 25
feet in length.
This room was particularly well suited tho purpose,
being lighted on both sides and having ceiling IA feet
high, thus aflordng excellent ventilation
After being painted and fitted up and finished by the
dS"Oied e siap whom
II has afforded ample accommodation, and who have
worship there the time-a rod
~ years The room IN the nursery continued Tor
the exclusive use OF the Catholics, and IL without
alteration or Improvement until 1866, when the Com
missioners then in once-Gulian G. verplanck, Wilson
g. Hunt, Frederick Winston, Cyrus ". Lourcl Isaac
y Smith, Richard oGorman Philip Bssinger, John I.
Hoffman and Samuel Booth-dccded that some effort
should he made to improve the ventilation thus in
the comfort ann beneht the health the large
number OF emgrants trcquenting it. Mansard roof
was accordingly added and the Catholic chapel con,
that the weigh. Of the Mansard roof together
with that of the large congregation using this
event as 10 make IL necessary Ia strengthen and