The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-24
THE EMIGRATION COMMISSION.

TRAMPs FROM OMAHA COMING TO NEW YORK
TO HIBERNATE ON WARDS ISLAND AT THE
EXPENSE OF THE STATE MORE ABOUT HOW
THE HEAD MONEY WAS REDUCED.
The Legislative Investigating Committee re-
sumed its session yesterday morning at Castle
Garden at nalf-past ten A. N.
The first witness called was Mr.. r. W. J. Hurst.
Managing Agent OF the National Steamship
Line-Witness did not recolleet any action taken
at the steamship conferences with relation to the
head money; cid not know il Patrick II. Jones was
counsel for the Commissioners Of Emigration;
knew Michael Nolan had paid him money as coun-
sci for getting she bead money reduced did not
know how he was appointed; he was not APP
poin ted by the steamship conference, but was ap-
pointed by a member OF 1t; ala not know II he was
appointed by John G. Dale witness knew the
money went to Nolan, as counsel, for services
rendered at Albany; witness did not remember
no W often Mr.. Nolan called on him; Mr.. Nolan was
paid twenty-five cents per head on all immigrants
arriving after the date OF the passage or the bill by
the Legislature, and to the best OF his belief the
arrangement was 10 last one year from nrst pay
ment; witness did not personally pay Mr.. Nolan
the instruments OF the money; they were paid by
the cashier, Mr.. Congers; witness could not re-
member where he first met Nolan, or his impress
sion as TO the conversation which occurred then.
in 1866 and spoke TO him about the head money;
at the time Cassery was advocating the Increase
OF head money from 81 to So 50 per capita; wit
ness thought Casserly was working In the in
terest or the steamship company al Albany last
year; knew Daniel Casserly, who drew up some
papers for the steamship company 10 be pre-.
sentsd to the Committee on Commerce; witness
paid him $500 or $500 for his services; the
committee with which the witness was con-
nected, and which appeared before the Leglsla-
lure OF 1874, was not appointed by the
conference; the members appointed themselves
and were approved by the steamship companies;
Mr.. WaKeman was the counsel Ter that commit
tee, and was paid 81 900 or $1,000 Tor his services
Daniel Casserly was paid for his services by all
the steamship companies; Mr.. Nolan was paid
several checks, winch may nave ranged In The
neignborhood Of $1,000 each. The witness also
testified TO the transfer OF emigrants from theIr
steamers at Boston 30 New YORK, where they
/ were bieted on the Emigration Commission rs;
! the witness could not remember having signed a
pupar TO pay the agent, Nolan, twenty-five cents
a head; he remembered there was such a paper
but could not say that he signed It; did not know
that Wakeman and Nolan we're acting in coniunc-
ton at Albany, nor dis ne know that Nolan was
I partner OF p. II. Jones.
Mr.. Hurst promised 20 produce tne books and
all papers relating TO- o Inc money gaid 70 Nolan.
time Deputy Superintendent and arerward
/ Superintendent OF wards Island. he described
/ tina process OF purchasing the supplies Tor the
Island and said he audited the goods and the
bills; Mr.. King was purchasing agent FOR he sup
Z
plies before he came aud after ne was
dismissed; MIR. King paid larger pnce
for shoes purchased IMAM the quality was
really WORTH while he was superintendent, there
was only one purchase Of coal, which was made
\ by himself ana Commissioner Forrest from the
| Delaware and Lackawanna Company, and no
/ BIDS were invited for ~; they we're given the
/ coal for the same prices as 1t had been sold
for at the previous sale OF the company
the coal was not weighed wren taken on the
barges; he thought this was q Judlelous measure
when tEe company was renaOle one, as TINS
| was; at times the witness thought the clerical
force on the Island was larger tban was abso-
lutely necessary from 1870 TO 1873; nom the for
mer year to the latter there was steady increase
In the clerical force and the payr0lls; ne was NOS
| consulted as to this increase, and parties were
sent there by the Commissioners whose services
were not needed; there were parties, but not
many OF them, woo held sinecuTe positions ON
the Island; there was a medical onlcer on
the New YORK side OF the Island who APP
Deared TO hold q sinecure position at the
Labor Exchange, and who was paid 900
q month; there was tendency during those
] years TO Increase the payroll there The