New-York tribune., 1875-09-02
LEGISLATIVE INQUIRIES.
THE EMIGRATION COMMISSION.

THE EMIGRATION COMMISSION.
GEN. q. W. PALMER DENIES THAT HE RECEIVED
MoNKY FROM STEAMSHIP CoMPANIEs-CoMMis-
sIoNER sTARR's OPINION OF THE PRESENT
noARp-MIssIONARIEs As BOARDING-HoUsE RUN
NERs-AssEMDLYMAN DALY's TESTIMONY.
The Legislative Committee appointed to in
auire into affairs Of the Emigration Commissioners
heard testimony yesterday from Gen. George W. Palmer
Commissioner Starr, and Assemblyman James Dalv.
Among other statements which were made, 1t was said
that some Of the missionaries at Castle Garden nave
been acting boarding house runners ana railroad
ticket agents. which they have received consdeape
sums Of money.
Gen George W. Palmer was the first witness. He said
that In the year 1860 he formed limited law partner
ship with Patrick H. Jones and Michael Nolan be never
knew that Nolan had any connection with cg'saon ~
Albany regard to the head money, or that he hao 10
ceived any money from the steamship companies I'o
witness first learned OF Nolan's transactions aler me
Committee had begun its Investigations. Gen. Palmer
said that he only did not receive any share Oh tue
money which Nolan obtained from the steamship COM
panics but never received money from Nolan al ALL
or drew ANYTHING from the law firm in which he was as
socatcd with Nolan and Gen. jones' he had no cohheo
ton with the matter in any shape or form
George Starr one OF the Commissioners OF Em'grauon
vas the next witness He testified that he had been
member OF the Castle Garden and Wards Island Com
mittecs as q member OF the former, he had opportuh
ties for becoming familiar with officials AT the iahns
depot when present Commission came INTO Once inc
number Of employees was not excessive; d hea'y iih
grafton rendered the employment of large force neee
sary he thought some OF the salaries were TOO hGh;
among them those of the superintendent MS
Deputy and tho Treasurer. The witness 'ho"eh.
that the Commission fortunate In the purchase VI
supplies II had good purchaser. Comparisons maoo
between this and other Departments showed that greater
economy was exercised in the Emigration than IN any
Starr
and baggage and railroad agents AT
Castle Garden pay for the privileges they enjoy
lie thought that whether or not the Compissioners
should be paid depended on circumstances.
CHARACTER OF THE PRESENT BOARD.
The present Commission composed of men OF aDl
fly and high character. lie felt he was fatDiu ana
honest man and his associates were the same lie ex
p,aned the matter OF purchase in 1874 and SAID
that delay in purchasing was caused by the oeheI
that the coal combination would be broken ana co'u
would be lower The change OF Snpernendens was not
political movement lie thought no one person shouid
be Secretary Treasurer superintendent and purchasing
AGENT as at present but the poverty OF the Commission
rendered ii necessary. he believed that Mr. Jackson
who performs all those duties is extraordinary man,
but the principle bad and concentrates too much power
In one mans hands, although 1t is perfectly safe IN inc
case of Mr.. Jackson lie thought Commission conNis
ing OF five persons of ability benevolence and integrity
would be better than larger one lie thought tqa' s,
grafton was simply comnereii & ZEN +, ~ ~
ing The head-money aid not affect 1millgrdl on.
There were II missionaries at Castle Garden Hey
were suunosed 20 look after the spiritual welfare OF the
Immigrants. Complaint had been made that some OF
them acted boarngho runners What truth thce W
WIS the matter Mr. starr doesn't know; they nag Ia
ciljtics for doing If they desired. They had Deen
charged also with receiving commissions on the fAle o.
railroad tickets. Tha Rev. Mr. Neumann was chaieed
with doing so anl litted the fact pat sad MS Hl
ety-ihe Lutheran Socicy-orlered him to do IT. lis
commission amounted to about 81 600 annually ne
seemed to fer selling ekc's than Tor s'vlng
souls The Commissioners tod him tat II the praclice
VAS continued he would discharged His society then
dismissed him His successor, Mr. starr Understood was
for q boaIdiDg-house. Ihe ReV. MI NeuHldhh
still was engaged ut Castle Garden ..-
hs.cmblyman James DAILY who was the next witness,
,lid hat be had contract 10 remove Immigrants pag
eage from Castle Garden His contract was sXaetiV am
aI 10 one made with his predecessor He made no al
plication the Commissioners for tie place lie hf1
himself responsible for the immigrants baggage, anu
gave bonds its safe delivery. He thought the cox
tract worth $1,000 or $1,000 year his prices
were regulated by the Commissioners OF Emigration
lie has had contract only about two months lie ois
cal ged one OF lis employees day or two ago, who hd
exaeied Illegal charges from one OF inc mnsrahls NJ
ID not know what motives induced the commissioners
10 appoint him TO tue place: III. . go. ,o.oo
Tie Committee then adjourned until to-day at lo:3o