The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-12
The Emigration Head Money Man
Plays the Plausible
A DISSERTATION ON FEES.
The Emigrants Filling His Pockets
in Spite of Himself.
A PICTURE OF INNOCENCE


Garden. There were presentation. Jeremiah Mcclure,
chairman; Hon. Louis C. waehner, Hon. Thomas G.
Alvord, Hon William H. Gedney, Hon. George W.
Schuyler; and Hon. Mr. vosburgh absent
The FIRST witness called was Mr. Frank Rudd He tes-
tned TO having time entered into law partner
ship with Bernard Casserly, which partnership lasted
for six years Neither the witness nor Cassery had
ever been professionally retained by the steamship com
panies but both Of the partners did work for them In
January last he had prepared al the request oil MI CAS-
serly argument be delivered before The Assem-
by's Committee on Commerce and Navigation This
argument opposed TO the proposed increase IN the
rate OF emgrant head money
Mr. James Mcfarland, accountant and bookkeeper OF
the Leather Manufacturers National Bank, sworn
for the purpose Of identifying
THE ACCOUNT NOLAN
with this bank, which he did.
George B. Allen accountant employed by the
Cunard Steamship line, swore that he had been in
structed in 1871 and 1872 by Mr. Francklyn pay
to Mr.. Michael Nolan certain sums Of money in bank
checks The witness ignorant Of the of the
arrangement which existed between the company and
Nolan; he could not now remember the sum in gross
which Nolan received but the checks paid the
company's Office in Jersey City The witness promised
10 produce the accounts before the committee.
Edward J. Wilson, gentleman apparently over sixty
years Of age upon being sworn testified having
tered into law partnership with Nolan in May, 1871;
the partnership lasted until April Of the present year.
The witness testified also to.havng been time in
partnership with General Patrick H. Jones; Nolan had
interest in the law firm Of which deponent
member until 1862 Jones had other Office during the
partnership the witness did not know had he been
Informed that Jones filed any Office agency for the
steamship companies; was introduced 10 Nolan by
Jones; in June, 1872, witness received 81, 500
frOrn NO1ap ~ mad for
the steamship companies during the preceding
session Of the Legislature; Nolan pay witness
percentage Of any moneys received from the compa-
mics; prior to receiving Nolan into partnership had
business firm connections with Jones' the witness had
the impression that Nolan Jones' Office VIII lie the
latter acted counsel the Board of Commissioners
of Emigration; he dissolved partnership with Jones
Nolan got up and asked the witness if ever he
had received money from the questioner during the de-
ponent's partnership with Jones. To this nterroga-
tion the witness answered, ono"
At this stage of the proceedings Mr. W W. Niles who
appeared counsel for Nolan commenced to take
active part in what going forward, prefacing his
marks by expressing conviction that Nolan IS DESTROYS
OF having everything bearing on this investigation sed
70 the bottom
Mr. waehner proposed that the checks be submitted
by Nolan private session Of the committee, and
outside shall know of them.
Mr. Niles thought that the record Of the checks would
be published. He had not before heard the
PROPOSITION OF A PRIVATE SESSION
preached, and would now consult with Mr. Nolan
This point
Messrs Nolan and Niles retired to private room for
consultation. When they returned to the committee
room in about fifteen minutes IL agreed that
Eoans statement of his banking account should be
taken in secret session. Nolan then to having
purchased bonds with the proceeds of the checks which
he received from the steamship company The noHsy
passed into no other hands than his own Every dollar
Of such moneys used in his private transactions
A..e- .ettleecos Mean SAID he would like 10
have the privilege Of consulting esurely with Mr. Niles
and Of replying this morning This was consented TO
bV handed
70 Nolan He will therefore, present to-day the bank
checks received by him from the steamship companies
10 secret session Of the committee.
Nolan called attention TO set OF resolutions that ap
peared the records of the proceedings Of the Board Of
Commissioners of Emigration under date Of June 30
1870 setting forth the agitation which then Stirring
mems minds in this city on the subject Of reducing
head money. Nolan had taken prominent part in this
NEW YORK HERALD on the 2sth of November The
Castle Garden Committee was then controlled by the
dominant party, which advocated the
ABOLITION STATE BOARD
Of Emigration Commissioners, and the substitution Of
federal bureau in its place.
Nolan now handed in the document which Is given
below, as sworn statement forming part Of his evi
dence-
20 Hon. J. MCGUIRE, Chairman Assembly Investigating
Commute, Castle Garden
sR-When before your committee you requested
steamship companies which request shall refer TO here
First let me request committee record on the min
Of testimony the following recital Of connection with
In retained by them prosecute the courts
had become crying scandal The vgor ofthese
have been ee5hsd before your conplt,ee By
200 from the companies
should be enacted for the protection Of the efgan against
persons keeping ticket offices pretenee being
suded The keepers Of these Offices advertising themselves
the agents Of the steamship companies the good Of
the latter became involved For this reason again
retained 70 secure psioe saeh ess5e2n as would put
drafted the known chapter 423 Of the Laws Of 1870
SteaTnboa steamships vessels and by dnt Of
great energy perseverance, finally secured its passage
was assisted by influence except the demands Of the
Having passed the Senate without difficulty The bill was at
first defeated in the House but through the efforts Of few
yns,oyv Of ne member from New Y n nnal yote
bill The emgrant swindler were at that time by mo- means s
politically weak, and fought vigorously against its passage
whom afterward had convicted sent TO
State Prison for the offence the bill designed to
i, was this bill had when testified to having
appeared before the committee in Albany Deavaa
House which Mr. Fields chairman and Of which
And by reference the Legislative Manual Mr. Alvord
Notwithstanding his positive assertion that he had never
seen me was asmpe NY 1hefe can De proved
Mr. Nelson Rockand and other members Of the judiciary
easily coniounded this b the bin Of the subsequent
sa IN ny 1ss Matter 10 ' bSs the Shipping icy
vii bear ample testimony For this years work received
The year 1871 once retained by the
head money they long a6ored unavalingly
made With them contract similar 10 tina, which IN several
failed 20 secure the desired object The consideration
20 be percentage Of the amount saved 70 the
panie By such reduction during year after had taken
effect Unless any contingent fee be unprOfessiOns
not that such strictly In
with legal usages and proprety Those who DO
benefited by certainly the best judges value.
Did need 70 justify the act from precedent, have
only 20 point out the fact that precisely the
but Tor nearly double the had for
previously existed with legal Grm ofhgh standing mem
Der ofwhieh had long been counsel 10 the
Emigration, with whom his connection had ceased but
short time ~ the making Of Che contract the time
upon the arrangement borne no prossorA Al
relation " The Commissioners Of Emigration for many
months.
n The contract itself was proper do not that
the amount OF the fee brought with opprobrum
reward certainly large, but 10 proporoned TO the
services be rendered and the difficulty donbnces ~
Such work done every lawyers upon con.
tngent fees which always larger because they are CON
tinnent. Tho action Of the Commissioners of FIN.
igration in recommending reduction Of the head
money furnished unexpected element success which
had lacking in previous efforts charge that
acted upon private knowledge Of the intentions Of the Hoard
Is absolutely false My Grst ntimatiOn intention,
from reading the resolution published IN the