New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-25
EXAMINING THE ISLANDS
CONGRESSMEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO
LAND IMMIGRANTS.
FAVORABLE TO ELLIS ISLAND, so FAR AS AN
INsULAR SITE IS coXcERNED-THE COM.
MITTEE's RECOMMENDATION TO
SECRETARY WINDOW.

tee. who came to Ncw.York for the purpose Of ex-
aiming sites that have been proposed for new I'M
migration landing place, awoke Yesterday morning
they found the sun shining brightly and the atmos-
phcre free from the disagrccablc moisture when on
Saturday prevented them from making thorough eN-
animation Of the islands suggested, they had In
Tended to do. About 10 O'Clock Senator's Cnahoicr'
Evarts Voorhees,. Petgrcw. EustiS and Squire ana
Representatives owen. Brewer. Lchlbach Oates DC
Haven and stump. accompanied by Collector E'hardt
General Schoncd, Federal immigration Commissioner
Weber. his deputy General James OBeirne. solicitor
Hepburn. Commodore FOlSer, Chief Of the ordnance
Bureau; Emigration Commissioner HidGWaN' Oh tnls
state Richard Butler, secretary CT the Liberty statue
Association; surgeon General Hamilton anu others
boarded the Government tug Catapa at West twenty
fourth-st, and Immediately went TO point OF Ellis
Island. where steam launch came alongside the tug
and conveyed of the party to the island The
buildings and powder magazine were Inspected ana
the bulkheads examined. Several members of the
committee expressed their surprise at seeing what
the natural features of the island really because
they said, they had been icG TO believe that II was
undesirable and unavailable an immigrant station.
being exceedingly low and liable to be washed by Tn"
sea to the danger of life and property They found,
however, that il sufficiently high above the sur
face of the bay TO make such wa,ciy vsitatons I'M
probable.
Congressman Lchbach was IN favor of utilizing the
spot for the purpose desired and explained a scheme
which he believed would make it entirely Practicable
He proposed constructing bukheads at two points on
the side the New-Jerscy shore, filling them III,
dwelling of the island. thus giving an area of about
500 feet square or five times much as is now in
Guided in Castle Garden. The island would be abSo-
lutely above the danger Of overflow. one of the
houses there could be used headquarters for
the Commissioner but the other buildings would not be
servceabc. Mr.. Lchlbach dwelt upon the advantages
Of the island asserting that the sanitary arrangements
could be made almost perfect and that water could be
hrOucht mainland comparatively small cN
pense per could be built the island from the
New-JcIscy shore affordng close railroad connections
Regarding the approaches by water he said that ori-
nary there enough depth on the sea side to allow
the landing of people by the bareeS which now trans
port immigrants from the steamship wharveS TO Castle
Garden. on the north side. however, there was not
enough water TO permit this.
This proposition seemed TO meet the general APP
prevail of those who heard it, except Commodore
Folger who desired that first another place should be
selected for powder magazine. General schoiied
believed that better site could bc selected than ElS
Island In his opinion the plot large enough as
il was, for the station, but with the filing in of the
bukheads proposed by Congressman Lehlbach a space
undoubtedly sufficient would be gained and health
ful place for the station secured lie added that the
increased of dynamite In the armies and navic> Of
the world compelled its storage at some place where
an explosion of 1t would result in great damage,
a consideration which would preclude the use of Ellis
Island a magazine for ammunition much longer
This received the approval of the other military
present.
The party then went 10 Bellows Island where they
were greeted with a $; seventeen guns that
being the customary number in honor Of committee
of Congress. Collector Erhardt pointed out the ad-
yantages of this island which had prompted secretary
Window TO regard it with favor as tie place ior Inc
new landing place for Immigrants. Ii was shown that
by reserving TO the of immigration all the north
western part Of the island from line drawn across II
Just west of the barracks area of about Six acres
would be obtained and. the ground is low In that
portion the buildings such it is proposed To erect
would not of view of even the pedestal on which
the Goddess stands. Commissioner Weber explained
that the present electric light plant would be used
by the new station and another one would be buit
"a supply light to the statue. The barracks could
a long discussion Of the facilities and de-irabilty Of
the place was held, during which senator Worries
sad he would be willing 10 spend 100000 10 turl
the island into public park and make II thc pIctteHl
thirteen in tie United states, but beyond that
I've would say nothing. ,
Governor's Island next visited and General raj
Howard received the committee they stepped on Inc
pier. As they being conducted 10 the part OF
loudly doomed the welcome Of the post. The com
mittee carefully surveyed the ground, visited Castle
William and other buildings on the island surrounded
by a number Of the committee and the accompanying
officials. General Howard explained his Objections,
founded his experience observation and knowledge
feelings as he said TO placing the new station on that
territory lie believed nM"e e " s a' nnd 'g ,
Departments Either The whole or none Of the Island
should be taken lie would Strongly "ppo>c ANY
proposition which involved the abandonment Of GOV
q crnor's Island As military post on the Sioand ma.
il was one of the best centre. from military point
of view and for military purposes. In the world.
Troops could be massed there in short order and ds
patched to whatever point they were needed lie
cited several cases which is value lad been shown.
notably during the civil War. Moreover the con
structiOn Of any such extensive buildings a those
needed for immigration uses would destroy tho
efficiency Of Fort Columbus.
After finishing their examination. the committee
hold meeting and after some d scu~~On unanimously
adontcd thc following resolution which tlcgrs phed
n flc Of the Treasury
In order 10 afford the committee time sufficiently to
investirate and consider the subject committed them
Resolved that IL j., the sense committee that
thc SECRETARY Of the Treasury should waive the notice
given bv him 10 terminate The contract of september
O. 1850 and that the said contract should be modified
in substance as follows:
" rat the examination into the condition Of alien