The New York herald., 1875-09-02
THE EMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS.

THE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED
THE CASTLE GARDEN MISSIONARIES BETTER AT
SELLING TICKETS THAN SAVING SOULS.
The Legislative Committee appointed to investigate
the working OF the Emigration Board resumed its
session yesterday morning at Castle Garden. There
were present Speaker Mcclure who presided, and
Assemblymen vosburg Alvord, waehner and Gardner.
Some interesting testimony adduced
General G. w. Palmer the first witness examined.
He stated that in the year 1869 he formed partner
ship with Patrick H. Jones and Michael Nolan; he
never knew that Nolan had any connection with legs
ators at Albany in regard 20 the head money that
he had received any money from the steamship com
panes the witness heard Of Noans transactions for the
first time after this committee had begun its inquiries
Witness further stated that he only did not receiye
any share Of the money which Nolan obtained from the
steamship companies but received any money
from Nolan at all or drew anything from the law firm in
which he was associated with Nolan and General Jones.
He denied connection with the matter in any shape or
form.
Commissioner George Star OF the Emigration Board
testified that he had been of the Castle Garden
and Wards Island committees; he was familiar with
affairs at the landing depot when the present Commis
sion came into office tho number of employees
excessive a heavy immigration rendered the employ
ment of a large force necessary Of the salaries
he thought high the salary of the superin-
tendent was reduced from 900 In June 1874 to half
that sum- alter time 1t became apparent that
salaries OF number of officials entirely
too high; the winter of 1872 and 1873 very
severe one, and there were great many applications
for food and lodging at Castle Garden three hundred
persons furnished with accommodation, and the
result that extra watchmen required; pot
cal considerations never had anything to do with the
appointment removal of persons at Castle Garden or
Wards Island; the purchases of supplies were very
satisfactory comparisons showed that greater
economy was exercised by the Board of Emigration
than by other commission; the contract made for
conveying the sick in ambulances required at first an
annual payment Of 1000 which sum was aiterward
reduced to 81 $50 and again increased to $1,000 Mr.
Starr considered that those persons who had facilities
restaurant keepers, brokers, baggage and railroad
agents at Castle Garden, should pay for those
privileges those composing this Commission
We're men of sterling worth and high character; he
felt that he himself u faithful and honest man.
and he believed his associates be the same
In reference TO the purchase of coal in 1874 he said
that delay in purchasing was caused by belief that
the coal combination would be broken and that coal
would be lower; the change in the appointment OF
superintendent was not political movement; he con
sdered that the Offices OF Secretary Treasurer Supern
tendcnt and Purchasing Agent should not be vested in
one person. this was the at present but the
IL absolutely necessary. Commissioner Starr added
that Mr.. Jackson, who ably performed all those
duties extraordinary man, but tho principle
bad and concentrated
TOO MUCH POWER IN oNK MANS HANDS,
although he happy to bear testimony that it was
safe when intrused to Mr.. Jackson who had so long
and faithfully served the Commission. The witness
thought that commission consisting of five persons
would be better than larger Emigration, he sad
simply u commercial item in the affairs of the
country, and he believed the Commission should be
seli-supportng; the head money tax did not Affect
immigration; there twelve missionaries at
Castle Garden those gentlemen supposed to look
after the spiritual welfare Of eIhigrants he understood
that complaints had been made against of them to
the effect that they boarding house
ners he did not know whether there
any truth In the report, but the missona-
res had facilities for following tho occupation If
they desired TO do so; they also charged with
receiving commissions the sale OF railway tickets;
Rev Mr.. Newman charged with doing this, and he
admitted the fact but urged that the Lutheran Society,"
with which he connected, had ordered him to do so;
he had made about 81 900 year out Of the SALE indeed
Mr.. Newman seemed TO care more for
TICKETS THAN PoR SAVING SOULS;
the Commissioners told him that II the practice
continued he would be discharged; his society then
dismissed him; his successor witness understood, is
a runner for boarding house. but the Rev. Mr. Newman
still had the run OF the Garden; witness thought he
a very good man; he had fed the poor at his own
expense.
Assemblyman James Daily stated that he had a
tract TO remove emigrans baggage from Castle Garden
this contract similar to that made with his prede
baggage and gave bonds for their safe delivery; the
worth 81 600 or $4,000 year, the price
being regulated by the Commissioners of EmigatiOn
he had this contract only about two months; he lett
the details Of the business his brother law and his
foreman; he discharged one of his employees day
ago, who obtained illegal charges from OF the
emgrants; he would not permit any violation Of the
legal CHARGE he had solicited the contract he also
removes the sick 10 Wards Island; he thought the
Commission should be sefsupporting and he consid-
cred the volume of immigration not affected by the
head money.
At this stage the Committee adjourned until this
morning at halfpast ten O'Clock.