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Commissioner McSweeney requests information regarding charges brought by Representative Livingston against immigration services at Ellis Island.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-05
Special Immigrant Inspector Robert Watchorn has investigated “the matter at Buffalo” and the report will be complete soon. The report will show that John R. De Barry has “stirred up all this commotion himself” and Commissioner General Powderly recommends De Barry’s removal from office. The investigation at Ellis Island has shown poor management by Assistant Commissioner Edward F. McSweeney with immigrants being “ill-fed, ill-treated, and robbed.” McSweeney has been protected by the civil service and influential friends. Powderly hopes that President Roosevelt will reserve judgment about McSweeney until the report has been completed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-10
Commissioner General Powderly disapproves of Commissioner Fitchie’s recommendation to build a chapel for immigrants on Ellis Island. He believes there is not enough space to construct a chapel large enough to accommodate all of the religions practiced by the immigrants. The Bureau of Immigration also lacks the funds for construction.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-27
A disagreement between Samuel Marks and John Lederhilger at the immigration offices on Ellis Island, New York, ended when Marks collapsed due to “heart trouble.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11
Frederick William Holls recommends the appointment of James R. Sheffield as Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island, New York. Holls has been carefully monitoring the situation in Mexico and believes there may be a forthcoming treaty for obligatory arbitration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
Frederick William Holls defends Consul Diederich, the American consul in Bremen, Germany, against the recent effort to have him dismissed. Holls suggests that the a new commissioner of immigration at Ellis Island should be fit to be a federal judge and a “native born American of eminence.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-24
Senator Platt writes to New York Superintendent of Immigration Fitchie on reports of “extreme partisan conduct” on the part of Ellis Island Commissioner Edward F. McSweeney. Fitchie suggests that McSweeney be removed and replaced with a “good Republican.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1898-02-17