The New York herald., 1875-07-20
THE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.
AFFAIRS OF THE EMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

AFFAIRS OF THE EMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
HOW IT'S WORKING Is cRAAPED.
The committee appointed by the last Legisla-
ture 70 investigate the affairs OF the Emigration
Commission met at Castle Garden yesterday
morning. All the members OF the committee
Messrs Mcclure, Waenner, Alvord and Vosburg-
were present.
The first witness called was Mr.. Garrett Bergen
who was Treasurer or the Board OF Emigration
rom June 8, 1873, until January 4, 1875, and VINO
during that time was also purchaser Of supplies
lie tesu1ed that the following was the method Of
obtaining supplies :-Requisitions came rom
ard's Island for different supplies signed by
the Superintendent and the Chairman OF the
wards island Committee; he purchased all the
supplies except those OF meat and milk; con-
tracts for all the supplies were made by the
Commissioners he bought In open market as
economically as he could IL the interest OF the
Board; he kept track OF the market and consulted
the snipping and commercial lists for the prices.
The witness mere stated that he knew notninR Of
the meat contract; tie coal was principally pur-
chased from the Delaware, Lsckawanna and
Western; PENNSYLVANIA Gas Coal ana the You.
gneny Gas coal companies; he believed thaI the
contract system was failure, ana that an honest
purchaser could 20 into The open market the sdmo
quality and as cheaply as theY could be furnlsAed
by contract; ne also believed that the Uommis-
SION OF Emigration has been steadily
GOING on FROM GOOD TO BETTER,
ana was steadily arriving at an economical gov
ernment OF the institution; IN lact, the clerical
force mad been so reduced that he could scarcely
see now tnat portion OF tne WORK was done; the
Commissioners, IN 1874, recommended to the Legis-
lature the increase OF the head money; as far as
he was informed, opposition was made to the n-
crease by the steamship companies; from lnNr-
nation and observation he understood that par
ties nosoTlously in the Interest OF the steamship
interest were IN Albany dunng the last session or
tue Legislature; ne was informed that Messrs
Cdsserly ana Rugg represented the steamship
companies IN ALBANY In ms opinion the reduction
crease or decrease the volume OF emigration.
II. q. JACKS0N's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. H G. Jackson, the Secretary Of the Commits
sion, was recalled. lie WAS requested by Mr.
Mcclure 10 exDain the mode OF receiving imml-
grants ana to tell how tney were sent tO the DIFF
Mr.. JACKSON said when Transatlantic c steamer
arrives In port ana mas passed thc quarantine
officers, the bafges belonging to the Commission
are sent 10 her, and tue Immigrants, with their
baggage are brought TO Caste Garden; here me
medical Otlcer oi the Commission examines each
Immigrant, and thOse VINO are iOund TO be dis
eased are sent 70 the hospitals record is Kept
OF All the manned aud dlotc persons, ana an ap-
plIcaton immediately sent TO the Mayor requr-
lug aim 10 call upon the steamship line winch
brought me disabled persons Tor eX ra bonds Tor
the support OF the Immigrants; th So Of the I'M
migrants who Wish TO 20 from town on any OF the
railroads are taken from Castle Garden by the
pat ges belonging 10 the different roads; by TINS
means immigrants are saved the trouble oil trav.
elng through town and the danger Of being set
Here Mr.. Aivord made some inquiries about the
reduction Of the mead money. In answer TO
question TO the point MIR. Jackson said tnat the
deficiency IN the income OF the institution Tor tue
past six months was $50, 100, or "a, $50 a month
this exclusive OF the c unity claims, amounting TO
$4,000. MI. Jack son estimated tnat Tor the next
six months the deficiency would be about $1,000
a month. Mr.. Jackson thinks that IL the head
money was 81 so. instead OF 81 so, the Commls-
siOners would be aoIe 10 pay their expenses for
this year.
For the last i've years o52 200 immigrants ar
rived in port AT 81 more head tue Com
mission. would have now to It's credit
$0jl.z09. IL has on hand 1897 coo and owes
S245,OO0. These swo amounts added together
give $5S5,OO0. 18ls amount, Deducted from
tue 1852, 2O9 lost TO them by tne reduction, woud
leayeall debts paid-a balance OF $780,, ,2O9 TO tue
credit OF the Board. This statement " as suD-
nitted by M. Avord TO show the injury that had
been done TO the Commission by reducing the
head money. lie said that the labor and employ
ment bureaus were now ran at the expense OF
the irish ana German emigration societies instead
OF he state. He did not wish to question Wnetner
1t vas polttic TO allow these Institutions TO pay
the expenses OF tue bureaus mentiOnei. Expert
ence would decide that lie TnlY mentioned the
fact 20 snow now cramped the Commission Was
and Ia. Inc investigation w9s adjourned unsn
half,nast fan Lh1s morning.