Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1890 — UNDER LIBERTY'S SHADE. [ARTICLE]

UNDER LIBERTY'S SHADE.

Why Bedloe’s Island l» a Good Point to Receive Immigrant*. Washington dispatch: At tho first joint meeting of the Senate and House committees on Immigration Secretary Windom and Solicitor Hepburn, of the Treasury department, were present, and the first named gave a statement of the reasons tiiat had Induced him to take charge of the landing of immigrants at New York. In the course of this statement it was developed that, tho Ford committee of the last Congress in their report recommended that tho national government take charge of tills matter. Tho reports of tho manner in, which operations at Castle Garden were conducted and of the condition of affairs there, the Secretary said, also seemed to warrant, if not demand, a change. The Secretary was asked why ho had selected Bedloe’s island as tho landing place for immigrants under the new arrangement. He answered that Governor's Island would have suited him just as well; in fact was examined by him with a view to locating the landing station there; but the military authorities objected to giving up control of the Island and he was compelled to look elsewhere. Tho Treasury Department had a foothold on Bedloo's island, and it was in addition deemed to bo tho proper place to land immigrants, under the shade of tho statue of Liberty. The island contained thirteen acres; five of them are devoted to the park surrounding the statue, and the remainder may be utilized for the necessary buildings for tho accommodatiod of immigrants and tho transaction of business. These buildings will be erected on the west side of the island.