The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-21
THE COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION.

REPORT OF WORK DONE IN CONSIDERABLE
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF IArMIGRANTs-
AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF TWENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ASKED FOR.
The annual report OF the Commissioners of Emgra-
ton of the State of New York for the year ending De-
cember 81. 1878, will be presented to the Legislature
to-day. This is the thirty second report since the
establishment of the Commission and the sixth in
which the present Board has discharged the i'm
portant trust committed to its keeping.
The total number of passengers landed at the port
OF New York from foreign countries during the year
1878 III 1862 large and unexpected increase after
long period Of diminished Immigration OF this
number 347 Aliens while 46 O22 were citizens
persons who had before landed at port of the
United States. This shows gain for the past year
in the number Of aliens arriving this port of 3d.
The number of passengers who came by Storage
third class during 1878 and thereby under the
immediate of the Board. 1891. The follow
ing shows the destination of these immigrants
throughout the United States The totals show that
1856 reported their intended destination the State
of New York 1856 the Middle States, 653 the West
and Northwestern States 492l the Eastern States.
1866 the southern States; 1,Oll went to Canada and
81 to South America.
BUREAU INFORMATION.
landed at Castle Garden. Through the Bureau of In
formation 29.74s passengers have been enabled to
communicate with their resident relatives and
friends There have boon few complaints OF extor-
ton by boarding house keepers. owing to the strict
rules of the Commission requiring those persons
provide suitable board and lodging the emigrants.
and III each instance OF violation OF the rules the
offender has been punished. During the past year
pita Castle Garden while 739 received treatment.
The official statistics for the past year show
siderable increase in the number obtaining employ
ment through the Labor Bureau, the total being
10 SIS, Of which number 1928 males and 4,945
females. The females general rule engaged
as house servants while of the males 794
chanica and professional employment and 1899
hired ms farm hands and common labOrers. During
the past year s515 meals were issued and an advance
of $3.50 made to assist in paying the cost of trans
porting destitute immigrants to their relatives to
places where employment had been found for them.
Friends employers OF these immigrants have
funded to the Commission OF this only the sum Of
s47o4 CO. Through this charitable arrangement l.4oS
persons have been sent inland or to Europe during
the past year by the Commission.
WARDS ISLAND.
During the past year it became necessary expend
large of money for painting and general repairs
the State Emgrant Refuge and Hospital on Wards
Island as for several years past but little could be
done in this way, owing to the very limited amount
OF funds at the disposal of the Board On December
81 1877, there 239 patients in the hospitals.
During 1878 there BAT admitted and 80 children
born alive in the institution. During the year
the total number under treatment 2.15. of which
1918 discharged and 70 died, leaving the 3st
of December ult ls7 inmates The cases under
treatmen. in the surgical division number ,052 OF
which 500 were cured and discharged and died. At
the beginning Of the year there Ia patients in
the Asylum FOR the Insane, OF whom "a were males
and 60 females. During the year there were 50 adj
ptted, making the whole number of patients 1885,
OF these III discharged cured 30 were improved
3s were unimproved and died. The number remain
iirg on the 3lst of December, 1878, 49,
THE NATIONALITY OF THE IMMIGRANTS ON WARDS
ISLAND.
On the LIST day of January 1873, the whole number
of immigrants ON Wards Island 677-5l less than
at the same date OF the year previous. During 1878
there were 1910 admitted of which number 526 still
remained the 3lst OF December. The nationality
of those admitted was:-Germany, 1.457; Ireland.
623; Italy ?35; England 100: Russia, 10; Austria.
As; Switzerland. 80; France. ST. Denmark, "a; Po-
land, "a; Scotland Is; Hungary, 70: Belgium 3:
Holland. 10; Norway. 10; Canada 10; China. % West
Indies 2; Sweden So; and 63 children born and re-
admitted to the institution.
At the present time a portion of the lands under
water and fronting i'm the state properly at Wards
lands could be obtained for reasonable sum the
Commissioners recommend that they be purchased
by the State.
THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF the appropriation of si5oooo made by the Lesis-
laturc to meet the expenditures Of the Board from
May l. 1873 to May l. 1879. there has been expended
for the eight months ending December 81 1878,
$1lO,S30 50. The cash balance on hand January /,
1878, s377 GO. and the receipts during the year
amounted to $685. 450 D. making the total $15ss27 30.
The disbursements were Sl57.6GG IL, leaving cash
balance on hand December IL, 1873. of $l,1G1 -.
The Indebtedness of the Board---which been
cunulating since the month Of May. 1871, when the
communication fee reduced from 50 80 TO 81 so per
passenger and in consequence of decreased imingra-
tion proved entirely inadequate to meet the expenses
of the Commissioners presented herewith
Due Emigraut Industrial Savings Bank. bond
ana mortgage. ............... SNw,VW
Due for rent of landing depot. $4,000
Due cities, towns and counties of the State
for support of immigrants. 1c5.0 08
Due Immigrant fund account. ............... 1928
Total. 1884 .2es
The estimate for the maintenance from one year,
from May l. 1879, OF the State Emigrant Hospital,
Refuge for the Destitute and Asy lum for the Insane
Wards Island is fixed at $4,000. The estimate for
the maintenance OF the Castle Garden landing depot
$4,000 and $4,000 for other expenses, making the
grand total $4,000.
An additional appropriation Of $50 900 il asked by
the Boarl for the preservation of the buildings
Wards Isand--sone forty IN number-and TOR
pairs to dock and baggage room at Castle Garden.
In conclusion the report states that by direction OF
the Legislature bill regulate immigration has
been presented to Congress and also memorial from
the Commissioners. 1t has already passed. the House
OF Representatives aud is before the Committee