New-York tribune., 1874-04-30
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
AI,ARM AT CASTLE GARDEN.

SURPRISE OF THE DISCHARGED EMPLoYEEs-fHE
COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION S2O0.000 IN
DEDr-S250OOO NEEDED FOR WARDS ISLAND.
Tho announcement in THE TRIBUNE yester-
day that the Commissioners OF Emigration in their
secret session on Tuesday had removed from ofnco
large number Of employees, including the supernten-
dent created sensation ut Castle Garden. Tue first
intimaon received by superintendent Webster and the
discharged empoyes OF the action Of the Board
was the statement THE TRIBUNE. This decisive ac-
ton the part OF the Commissioners OF Emigration
was wholly unexpected AT regular meeting OF the
Board, held four weeks ago. nearly twenty-five OF the
regular employees removed from Office and the sal
aries number OF others reduced. 1t has been
supposed that this the end Of the reduction at least
for the present The busy season Of the year Is
about opening, and Il thought that the full force
which still remained indispensable to the Board.
The secret session which followed the regular meeting
Tuesday called for the purpose Of discussing the
question OF abandoning the Wards Island institutions
The discouragng outlook for this years Immigration,
and the opposition to the increase OF the cOmmutation
tax has rendered the condition OF the Commission
alarming, and tho immediate abandonment OF Wards
Island has been seriously contemplated. Inc matter
was freely discussed in the secret session. ard t was
finally decided TO retain these institutions as long rs
possible. Meantime the question OF SIN furtner
reduction OF expenses in other suggested lsef 10
member OF the Board and the dismissal OF employees
beean almost Immediately. the vote being unanimous
in nearly every instance. When the removal OF Super
ntendeut Webster was suggested several members VI
the Commission volunteered to perform the services
connected with that office. Inc vote was taKeu
and the Superintendent was dismissed. ln
conversation with certain OF the Commissioners
yesterday TRmUEE reporter learned that this
extensive reduction has been accomplished on eeonoml,
cal grounds only, no political motives having lhhuenccu
the Commissioners In taking TINS step Ihe enpiGyes
discharged are representatives OF several naohale
and OF different political parties III Is pOssoe sS tno
Commissioners. that OF the Offices vacated may
necessarily De renled. With the Increase OF mngra-
ton il may be necessary to increase the Castle Gafuen
force IL Is hoped however tbat the present tOree may
he sufficient to meet all the demands OF the present sea-
son. The Commissioners say that they are "hllhH -
work more constantly than before II necessary aud
anticipate no difficulty in performing the duties
connected with the Superintendenps oihce By
abolishing that Office $1,000 a year Is saved.
There IA now no employ In Castle Garden VINO receives
over 81 500 year except the treasurer Tue Board pro
poses to secure money meet current expenses Oy oD
tanning another mortgage on the Warts Isanu piJp ~
erty They own 1913 acres OF Land tnere, ahM tno
entire property Is valued az more thaI f+OOyOW III
is already mortgage OF 100000 on TINS property me
number Of arrivals for this year only 6f per cent O
those OF 1879 This ratio throughout the year Will yieu
u4CO Immigrants for 1874 The eadnohey on these ~
81 30 each the present rate, Will yield only s7lOO The
,xpeses OF the Commission Castle Garden, Including
the waring OF immigrants Inland, ana tDOse return
ing Europe, and the support OF tue poor III Tue cy,
left FOR tne management OF the Wards lsland
institutions, which will require at least szo9VW.
This heavy expenditure is incurred tor the Denen oi e
sick and destitute immigrants, VINO are entitled To sup
port there FOR period Of five years alter lhelf
There are at least 500 Wards Island AL tAe te les
tcrday S2, Of whom 45O were III the psplt
sO IN the lunatc 95 in the Dursery ana ii con-
yaescng. Tne Commlssion's present Indebtedness Is
about 100000 In excess of the small sum let on hanu
The nuuber OF arrivals at Castle Garden yesterday
Afforded encouragement 10 the Commlssiohers
than the record OF any day ot the year Inc Clty o
BroOkyn landed OJO the Egypt G55; the Washington
4yg the Australia lC6; the GlamOrgan ~; total 2o22
many have not arrived on single day since last Fail