The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-13
NOLAN'S HEAD MONEY.

TESTIMONY OF HON. ''DENNY' BURNS AND
REGISTER JoNEs-CoUNsELLoR NOLAN RE-
FUSES TO sPEAK--HIs PRINCIPLE FoRBIDs II.
The Legislative Committee investigating tho alleged
imperfccons in the Emigration Committee system met
yesterday morning at Castle Garden all tho members
present SO far tho taking of testimony is concerned
the labors of the committee drawing a close Ex-
Asscmblyman Burns, General Jones and Counsellor
Nolan were examined and tho committee then held
long executive session. probably to devise the prelimi
nary means to get all Counsellor Nolans banking af-
fairs Tho Counsellor yesterday finally and positively
refused tell any moro about tho checks When
pressed Indignantly by Mr.. Avord 10 disclose tho
OF his affairs he replied that principle he could
not do Mr. Alvord then, in the name Of the COM
mittee promised that the disposition Of all the checks
would be found out the committee had power TO in
vestigate fully. General Jones positively denied hav
ing had anything to do with NOan's manpulaons, and
denied he had told him TO continue in the relations
he (Nolanl then held with tho steamship companies.
The following was the testimony
Ex-Asscmhlyman Dennis Burns examined Was
member OF the Legislature in 1871; did not know who
introduced the head money bill and did not know before
its Introduction that 10 be presented; never
Michael Nolan until 1875 favored the bill because no
had been told the reduction Of the head money would
reduce the passage money; Nolan appeared in 1871 be-
fore committee OF which he was a member and then
met him for the first time knew nobody the Legsla-
ture interested in this bill but had conversation in
gard TO II with some one about tho time OF its passage;
thought il Mr. Frcar. but was certain; had no
conversation with Mr. Frcar after the passage of tho
bill
General Patrick II. Jones was the next witness and
testified as follows during his partnership with Mr..
Nolan had never drawn dollar from the firm, although
he often paid its debts it proper working
partnerships his official duties occupied the whole of
his time; never received any money at all from Mr..
Nolan except little borrowed money; IL might have
been in all $500; no owes mo now over $1,000 when
Mr.. Nolan spoke about the receipt of money from the
steamship companies he did not express either pleasure
regret that he Noan) had entered into the arrange
mcnt told HIM he did not TO hear anything about
matter which did not concern him; when counsel
for tho Commissioners Of Emigration always
advised low ratio Of head money, al
though one occasion | sent to Albany
to the rate, and got il raised half dollar
had any conversation with Mr. Nolan and never gave
advice about his taking Of contracts TO affect legsla
ton; should Judge that Mr. Nolan Is not in receipt Of
large income; ho has applied 10 for advances within
Noan's personal Affairs.
Tho bookkecpcr of the French Transatlantic Steam
ship Company next appeared before the committee and
stated that from January to October 1872 tho moneys
paid by the company to Mr. Nolan amounted to $343 75
Mr.. Nolan was the next witness He simply refused
10 tell the committee anything about the checks asked
for, alleging his that he considered them not
matter for public examination. Mr. AlvOrd pressed
the witness very hard with number OF questions, but
he continued inncXhlc. Finally already stated Mr..
10 secure the checks, and they would get them.
Tho Counsellor replied that on principle no
could not speak about them. Tho com
mittce then offered 10 receive them, subject to the
condition in his avor that anything not affecting the
Legislature could bc considered sacred but the Coun-
selor respectfully declined TO rcccdc from the position
he had taken.
Tho committee then went into executive session, but
without doing business that IL considered advis
able to publish They will meet again to-day