Year: 1875

WHAT RICHARD o'GoKMAN AND COMMISSIONER
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE


The Legislative Committee investigating the affairs Of
the Commission of Emigration continued its session
at Castle Garden yesterday.


The first witness examined Mr.. Richard o'Gor-
man. He testified that no was Commissioner of Emil
grafton in 1866, and remained until 1873; during
great portion OF that time he President of the
Board; in 1870 and 1871 General Jones counsel to
the Board in 1870 General Jones handed tho witness
letter OF resignation which hc he witncss kept his
possession for time in order allow General Jones
time to reconsider his determinations he did not wish
that General Jones should resign no believes that at
that time General Jones connected in business with
Messrs Wilson Rice; he had idea that the same
time Michael Nolan employed a clerk by General
Jones; the question Of tho reduction of head money
had often been discussed the Board; he understood
that there was a nominal understanding between tho
shipping interest and the Commissioners to the effect
that II the head money reduced there would be q
corresponding reduction in the passage money tho
port OF New York would bo therefore benefited; the
Board passed resolution asking tho Legislature to re-
duce tho head money; previous to the passage Of tho
resolution committee appointed from the Board to
consult the subject with the shipping interest," in
accordance with the desire of the Board he went to Al
bany submit to tho Legislature the resolution; no
also went present to the Legislature memorial ask
ing the commission be reimbursed by the State for
the interest paid by the commission on tho mortgage
they had obtained their Wards Island property;
during the Of years the interest had reached
the sum Of S150000;


ASSUMED THE DEBT


and the Commissioners believed that they ought to re-
fund the interest they had paid, which sum would have
placed them firm financial footing; in Albany he
appeared before the Committee Commerce and sub
mitted his opinions; there bill he thought
up tho Legislature previous his visit no thought


Mr. Casscrly took charge Of the BILL he had received no
information that Mr.. Nolan had been retained by tho
steamship companies until he examined in 1872 by
Legislative Committee no did not sec Nolan in
Albany, have any conference with him in regard to
the head money reduction; nc knew of no other bill
except the mentioned having been brought before
the LEGISLATURE he had not supposed that there could
be any opposition to the b and had scarcely given il
any attention, having specially gono to Albany rcla
tion TO the memorial previously alluded to- he never
had any business relations with Nolan. He related
length tho working of the commission
during his connection with ~ ho would not recommend
salarcd commissions; during the time he was in tho
commission II worked with reasonable harmony among
the mcmbcrs while in tho Board there were no sine
cures; he could whether It would DO better
TO reduce inc NUMBER OF COmmiSSloncrS


Commissioner Lynch was next called. Hc testified
that he had boon member Of tho Board since 1870 as
far he could Observe oil tho members Of the several
boards performed their duties honestly with reason
ably fidelity; the present Board is attentive TO duty
and able any that has preceded it during the past
five and half years; in the general duties Of the com
mission important improvements have bccn made; the
improvements were effected without additional expense
TO the commission tho Board is at present in good
working order, Notwithstanding its financial dfcutcs
some OF


THE EMPIoYIsa ARE ovrRwoRKyn


and are not properly compensated; almost all that cx
Commissioner Stephenson stated in his testimony in
regard to his tho witncss) conduct Commissioner
on hearsay; when the Clerk, PeTcy, classified tho
poor cmgrant girls in the Labor Bureau free lunch
grabhcrs' and hard cases. he tore down the lists and
rcprimandcd the Chief Clerk for allowing such out.
rage TO he pcrpctrated; Mr. Stephenson eft tho
Board there has been order and harmony Stephenson
magnty toward the witness showed that the ttun nc
failed OF its object the witness then spoke OF tho
great benefits afforded to the cmigrant and the state by
the institutions let the institution fail for want OF
support would be not only bad policy but almost crim
nal he gave account of the Irish Emigrant socicty
OF which he was President; mainly through Ms cnori
he said the Commission Of Emigration was brought
into existence; 1s47 $ll0ooOOO in gold
equivalent has been rcmittcd by the society to
the Old Country and he thought that most
of that was to aid in bringing people to
savings bank hero the Emgrnnt Industrial that now
holds S4 900 for 2S 600 depositor and within tho
last year has dispensed $53WO IN charities the wit
moss was a member OF tho committee that conferred
with the steamship companies; the subject Of the
duction Of The head money discussed tho committee



that an effort would be made 10 reduce the passage
money ir tho Board would recommend and succeed in
inducing the Legislature to reduce the head money; ut
that time he had knowledge that the steamship
panics had employed any to look their inter
rsts In Albany, but found after, and when he
learned the arrangement they had made he was very
much surprised and indignant Mr.. Lynch then gave n
history Of the proceedings in relation the legislation
on head money h which has been repeated several
tunes tho testimony Of former Witnesses He thought
that in 1870 tho salaries ot several of tho officials
high lie dcned largo portion Of the testimony Of
Commissioner Stephenson