The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-14
NOLAN'S FEES.


CAssERLY
The Legislative Committee Emigration continued
their investigation yesterday at Castle Garden II
time after tho usual hour before the committee
organized Only two witnesses examined
Mcssrs Abram wakeman and Bernard Casser!y
Abram wakeman was the first witness csed:-Was
present by virtue of subpoena served the previous
day he would testify $50 900 alleged to have been
paid In 1861 by the steamship companies; desired ID
say that nc had knowledge OF the preparation for hs
payment OF such money and did know Of the
stence ofthe alleged payments for two years after wheu
he heard of them from his clients, Williams Guions
was never benefited by these moneys In any form pre-
pared argument by request of Mr. Williams in 1871
subsequently was paid a fee for his services, but
than he in the habit of charging in 1874 he
waited by Mr. Dale who requested him to
peat the previous argument made before the Albany
committee; IL was then and subsequently, made known
that fees would be paid except those usual for
sell the discussion took place regard to the bill before
the Joint Committee OF both houses and again before
the Senate; did know of any money having been dis
bursed and believed that no money paid; it dis
tncty understood by the steamship companies that
money to be paid 20 influence Legislation, because il
to be dono IL should be continued every
year proposition made him have the money
secured to affect legislation had communication with
any member Of the Legislature, except he came in
with them professionally and in q legitimate
way; the steamship companies which lac represented
had not to his knowledge any other counsel repre-
sentative then at Albany Mr. Cassery in Albany in
1874 in connection with the emigration affairs, and
aided considerably in the explanation of papers and
statistics; did not know what remuneration any, he
got thought that Mr. Williams mentioned to him whae
his relations had been with Nolan the arrangement as
explained that Nolan to get twenty five per
cent per- capita; heard nothing that could impcate
General Jones IN Mr. Noians affairs, and from the In
vestgaton he wtness was satisfied General Jones had
nothing TO do in Nolans relations with the steamship
subsequently pubshcd;. Mr. Casserly prepared
others these documents and writings published
articles and AZ editorials did not know that any
money ever paid 10 influence procure the publ
cation Of articles in the newspapers.
Speaker Mcclure conpmented the witness on hs
integrity. and the testimony closed
An agent from the Cunard line next introduced,
and from the record he produced 1t appeared that the
cnnard line had paid in the effort from April "A, 1871
to July %, 1872 the sum of SIS 62
BERNARD cAssERLY
was the next witness Was superintendent OF Emigra-
ton from 1860 TO May, 1873; had opportunity to
what the workings OF the institution were; thought
now, as for long time previously there might hayo
been more economy; there unnecessary officials
under the Board Of Emigration for the years Of
his experience he saw that tho new Commissioners,
as they came in obliged to make appointment,
and there not CORES ponding number Of dismiss
sails and hence the force increased his duties
carry out the instructions OF thc Board did pur-
chase the supplies thought the services OF treasurer
were needed while the disbursements heavy
in 1870 1871 and 1872; could say that secretary
he could have done other duty
Here the witness entered into a lengthy expana-
ton Of the different changes that occurred the work.
ing Of the commission since il was established In re-
gard to the taxes he explained that originally there
wore the head tax Of 81 and the Marine Hospital tax Of
fifty cents This system was changed in S49 by United
states Court decision and then the State combined tho
taxes and made united one Of 81 so In 1858 there
was large emigration owing to tenant evctions in
Ireland, and large consequent increase Of county
claims, ana Then the tax was increased to 81 head.
In 1867 ii was increased to 81 So The objections the
steamship companies reached such point in 1871 that
conference was held between the steamship agents and
the Commissioners, but no satisfactory result OBJ
tanned.
Tho witness went on to make comparisons showing
that the commission could have been at
economical rate He thought that If one year the emil
grafton very small the expenses could be made up
for during another year. and thus tho funds be supplied
Witness also explained the progress OF the buildings
Wards Island In regard to The introduction OF poll
tics be said that since the Board ill., In 1873,
nlty per cent OF ali the old hands were dismissed and
the expenses of tho department run up to $1,000
When the now Board came into Office they said they
saw that emigration going 10 decrease, yet there
were no dismissals and when the Forwarding Bureau
and the Postal Bureau announced to be abolished
the Board still kept the clerks on The pay list Persons
Of foreign birth were discharged aud point made to
oil their places by Americans 1t was common ex-
precision for his witness) successor to say in going
round the building, ''Whcn VIC came here every man
stumbled against was Dutchman or an Irshnan, but
now all that Is changed" Removals happened ac
count OF political and religious differences especially
among tho higher Offices
In regard 10 tho relationship between Counsellor No
Ian and himself the witness said that the first no ever
heard about The affair from Mr. Wallach; might
have seen Nolan at tho Garden when General Jones was
counsel TO tho Board but could not remember the rea
for the passing Of the resolutions sent the cgIs
laturc was 10 secure harmony with the shipping inter-
est which, was said was wanting this port had no
reason TO think that the steamship companies paid
money except from what developed could not I'M
derstand why tho companies engaged Nolan at all did
not remember :, per-. seeing Nolan at Albany in 1872 did
nuynbor or ouoetions 49,. 80 ",- WI -. ~
TO which had been in substance, given previously AS
an item showing tue squapdering Of money by tho pres
ent Commiss onsrs Mr. Casserly said that was pub
hcy asserted In Albany, tho annual report for 1873
was printed on tinted paper and bound in morocco.
Commissioner Lynch, who present during tho
examination, remarked that tho late superintendent
Mr. Webster had undertaken to got out that report az
his own expense In good style To this the witness re-
piled that the hgurc9 printed the accounts of
the commission and wero 81 Oh
Witness testified that no had never got any money
from tho steamship companies; asked TO act Cor