The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-25
NOLAN ON THE RACK.
The Troubles of a Lobbyist Who Has a
Bad Memory.
PROFITABLE LOBBYING.
He Refuses to DiVuge the Names Of the Hen
with Whom lie Divided.

thot Duo JOb iaAcu PidCcs tut greater poIt VI
the day MI Michael Nolan. Deputy Assistant Dis
trlct Attorney OF New York, was on the stand,
and his examination was the spiciest and most
exciting that has taken place here for many
day. This is the gentleman who Is alleged to have
received rom the steamship agents ABOUT SEQ 00)
for lobbying through the Legislature OF 1871 the
bill reducing the head money Immigrants
arriving here from So so to 81 SO per head. lie is
middle-sized, rather sim young man OF shirty,
with perfectly smooth face, and was. yesterday,
the most excltable uncomfortable, nervous wit
ness that probably was ever seen in the witness
chair. The examination was a very close one in
regard 10 the money and the distribution OF It, and
the more he tried to evade the the moro per-
sistent were the committee In driving him into
corner While he spoke Mr.. Nolan changed his
position hundred times in an hour, played on
the table az though 1t were II piano painted heav-
lily, ana, in act, It seemed as though he was per-
fectly beside himself with nervousness ana anxi-
ETY.. With all that, he tried to assume an air OF
jaunty indifference, answering In defiant tone
and every now and then bursting into laughter !;
but this made his illconceaed exhibition or I'M
easiness still more painful. He contradicted him
self on the most vital points half dozen times
and had to listen to some very harsh language
from Mr.. Alvord, who once went 30 far as to
swear at him, and from Mr.. MCGUIRE. The fact
tudb lWeeu, FTcdT anu OLucT mcmDcES Ol tue Olu
King come again into prominence In the testi-
mony lends it additional interest.
The committee assembled as usual at half-past
ten in the ofce OF the Commissioners OF Emigra-
zion. Speaker Mcclure in the chair
ONE OF THE MEN WHO WERE BLED.
Mr. william II. Guion, OF the Williams q Guion
line. was the nrst witness. lie testified that he
was introduced to Mr.. Nolan by Mr.. Williams
who said that he (Nolan) desired twenty-five
cents head for every -mgrant that came by
their line; Mr.. Nolan was paid Tor his endeavors
to nave the head money on the emigrants re-
duced witness did not know OF any other per-
son than Nolan employed 90 lobby at Albany for
the reduction OF the head money; when Mr.. Will
Jams was absent in Texas in 1874 witness at
tended the steamship conference In the interest
OF the firm; The witness produced a statement
from his ONCE showing that from April 49, 1871,
to April 10. 1872, the Liverpool ana Great West
ern steamship Company had paid MIR. Nolan the
sum OF $6,557 rs for &c, 23l emgrants. These pay
ments were all made by checks.
ENTER COLONEL MICHAEL NOLAN.
Colonel Michael Nolan testified that he was
Deputy Assistant District Attorney; had been &C
uualnted with Patrick H. Jones since 1862 had
been law partner with him the law business
for the Commissioners OF Emigration was con-
Quoted by their firm, ana witness prosecuted
cases OF vagrancy, bastardy and the ticket swim
ding agents; became acquainted with Mr.. Hunt,
OF the National, and Mr.. Nicholson, OF the Inman
line, during his business transactions; he only
met these gentlemen once, ana that was In 1870;
witness had dealings with the Commission
after General Jones ceased his business dealings
with them; General Jones ceased to be law adj
wiser for the Commission in 1862 when witness
also ceased TO act for them; wit
ness afterwlsd acted In q legal capacity
for the steamship companies In sup
pressing the system OF ticket swiudlng. He
was also engaged by Mr.. Nicholson, OF the Inman
line. Ior the other companies TO pass more strin-
gent laws for the suppre sslon or ticket swindl ng
It was In March, 1871, he went TO Albany and re-
NAMED there five days; witness remembered nav
ing the bill, and having presented In the Assem-
bly, by man whom he could not recollect. IL Was
referred 10 the Committee on Commerce. and Nav
igaton, before whom lie appeared and made an
argument; did not remember who introduced
the bill IN the House; thought It was an acquatn-
member; witness came from ST. Lawrence
county. but did not think 1t was member from
that county VINO introduced the bill.
HOW He DID HIS WORK.
Witness laid before the committee the resolu-
tions OF the Emigration commissioners asking Tor
the reduction, and also made argument or an
hours length before them, the strongest point
or which was that custom mad almost ABOLISHED
the mead money on emigrants In the other cities.
HIS compensation was liked before THIS by the
steamship companies; II the bill passed ne was
10 receive the compensation ne did receive,
ana II 1t did not he was not to receive a cent.
Witness thought That when IN Albany he spoke to
Mr.. husted about the blll. There was no arrange
ment IN writing between the steamship COM
panles and himself aoout his remuneration. He
got this money for his services 1t was a
large compensation and lucky hit; but he
would not render any account OF the moneys ne
received Tor MS services III that matter TO this
distinctly understood that he paid no portion for
the lobbying oil the pill or its advancement; there
were no relatives OF his In that legislature;
witness would oe very glad 20 take another
contract Ike lie had with the steamship COM
panies.
o. Was not this bill smuggled through the
Assembly, A. Sharply What DO you mean. sir.
O. Was 1t not rushed through the Assembly
A. 90 not know, sir; but did not make any
efforts TO nave IL rusned or smuggled through that
body
witness talked with some persons In New York
about the passage OF the bill he could not remem-
Der who they were, but he never paid them any
money for their advice he never got any money
for his services from the steamship comDanles
until after the Dill was signed by the Governor.
Inc witness was pressed nard DY the committee
to tell how mncn he actually received for getting
the bill passed, but DECLARED he could not tell.
Then came the spicy part OF the examination.
MAGICAL EFFECT OF NoLAN's PRESENCE.
Mr.. Alvord-Are you so largely IN business that
you can't remember what you received?
Mr.. Nolan-rhe whole transaction had passed
out OF my mind.
MIR. waehner-How much did you receive under
the secona arrangement. $40, 600 or $1,000
Mr.. Nolan-five Thousand dollars
Mr. AlvOrd--Was the bill TO again increase the
head tax reported adversely before or afier you
got TO Albany?
MT. NOlhu-AlJeT ROJ JncTe.
Mr.. Alvord-How long after you got there was
the dill reported adversely
Mr.. Nolan (after being driven very hard)-Two
or three days; can't remember exactly how
long.
Mr.. Alvord-I think II received $1,000 should
remember all the stages OF IL. QLaughter.) have
never had much experience In that sort OF thing
not TO that extent-Dut think would. Laugh
teri
mr. waehner-In 1872 you think you only re-
ceIved $1,000 that was allS
MIR. Nolan--Yes, sir.
Mr.. waenner--in 1873 you we're not consulted in
this matterp
Mr.. Nolan--No, sir: 1 have not been In Albany
about THIS since 1872.
The witness said ms partner In 1871 was Ed ward
j. wilson, Of No. 10 Pine street, subsequently OF
tue nrm ot Rice, Wilson a Jones'. The latter part
nership ceased when General Jones became POST
MASTER General Jones nao no pecunlary In terest
In tAis matter Whatever. nor ala Wilson, VINO was
then Noans partner, receive any share OF the
profits, except $780, winch he put into the firm
as an Offset 10 tue lack Of law business brought
by MIN (Mltness), owing 20 his Ill health. lie de-
MED that Mr.. OGOrman had any connecuon with
the matter.
NOLAN AS A 'REFORMER.n