The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-11
THE LEASE OF CASTLE GARDEN.

RAILROAD CORPORATIONS FIRST SECURE THE
BUILDING As A LANDING DEpoT-rHKrR COM
PACT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OF EMI-
GRATIoN-THURLow WEEDS PART IN THE
MATTER.
A glance at the circumstances under which the Com
missioners NJ Emigration obtained possession Of
Castle Garden will be useful at this moment when tho
city authorities arc considering the proprc,y and
necessity OF restoring tho Battery to the uscs It was
originally intended as place OF recreation Tor the
habitants of the city. In 1855 the volume of
grafton had reached large proportions and the indca
lions that It would so on increasing Tho trans
porta,ion TO the West Of passengers arriving from
Europe In New York had become a very important and
profitable branch OF railroad trafnc, and . strong
rivalry or competition prevailed among the principal
lines which should the largest share OF this
business. Tho commission had been In existence
about seven years, but had failed 10 ob,ar suitable
landing places Tor the thousands OF new corners who
constantly reaching this port, and the
railroad corporations interested found Tho system
In operation either inconvenicni too expensive
their purposes. Al this juucturc Castle Garden
hired from the CITY under lease TO run tour years. by
Conkin, and the prospects OF turning the building
TO advantage by the lessee all encouraging
The railroad companies considered the opportunity
favorable concentrate the landing Passengers at
one point Three Of the leading limos having entered
into agreement with that object proceeded accord
ingy negotiate for transfer Of the lease of Castle
Garden They did not anticipate any objection the
part the Com missoners OF TO establishing
landing depot At the Battery, and in fact the
proposed such TO the cooperation
Board
EXCLUSIVE rsivLgoEs TO RAILROADS.
The thrce railroad companies agreed to pay the
rent and r return they were to ENJOY the exclusive
privilege OF selling passenger tickets 10 emigrsnts
within she enclosure and contract Tor tne
conveyance OF baggage, u would seem, such
rates they might deem III, for II docs
not appear that the Commissioners reserved
companies also have the right OF appointing
employees, and OF course. occupy all the space they
thought proper tor the transaction OF their business
This ngcinent brought the Commissioners OF En-
anomalous position. Seiore 1t could be carried INTO
effect however II was necessary Tor the Legislature
sanction the occupation 81 Castle Garden There
opposition 10 the transaction, and the services Of
Thurow Weed were secured 10 put he matter through
at Albany. An act vas soon passed authorizing The
Board establish landing depot at tho Battery The
three railroad also took their quarters IN
the suding and have remained there since the en-
loyment oi a monopoly out OF which they must have
realized millions OF dollars
BREACH FAITH
hut the whole story not yet told. In each OF the
annual financa al reports OF the commission since ls5S
menis SIC 900 rent OF Castle Garden showing that the
railroad ring hac neglected refused 10 perform their
part Of the original agreement There Is nothing
whatever show that they paid
cent to the city Tor rent These corporations nave
would appear Tor twenty years occupied largo
space Tor Offices IN the garden without charge; and,
what makes TIE matter worse, their tari Tor and
freight OF luggage works 70 the pccunlsry INJURY oil
the emiersnl Tsis abuse mas bcca repeatedly
posed hut the Com nissioners unable willing
10 correct It, tor they have taken any
thc promises
II must be amarsns hon shat has bean stated that