New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-25
Mr.. Z. DELAFIELD SMITH AND TIE
HULBURD INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.

TX PARTE STATEMENTS CORRECTED-A CON
GREssIONAL REPORT RETRACTED-LErfERS
FROM MR. HULBURD, MIR. lie BLOND, AND
OTHERS OF TIE COMMITTEE, AND FROM Al
ToRNEY-GENERAIs SPEED AND BATES.
report presented by Mr.. Hulburd at the close OF
the XAANIIlth Congress, contained paragraph re-
necting on Mr. T. Dela1eld Smith, in relation TO o
case prosecuted by him when District Attorney OF
the United States at New-YorlI 1t appears. from
printed documents that the reflections were founded
upon er pare statements and that upon full inTes
tigation, they have been retracted by Dir, Hulburd
and his associates The following letters will be
read with interest:
From Mr. Hulburd Chairman Of ne Committee.
81. LAWRENCE COUNTY, y. Y,
BRAsnER FALLS, July J. 1907.
DTAR sR As an act Of simple Justice feel bound 10
say that the impressions produced upon my mind 9 no
state meufs from Mr. George T. Nelson and Mr. Benjamin
r. Mudgcit before Congressional Committee 81 which
vas chairman In relation 20 your Official action IN we
Mercer connscaton case have been removed TIC facs
y "a m bis os,b aitogetbcr change the " hole
again tho Chairman I'm the present Congress we're com
these corrections 10 them Under the circumstances
however feel that your yind,ati0n j. dne from me-
particularly as was the author Of the report OF the
So ras am concerned and IN this think may also
speak FOR my associates. the statement OF Mr. MIDGET
wond not, IL stood have been deemed such a. 20 can
for Tho notice received bur for the state Of ne case
s@E 3 IN demgrns to IN rSeSSS " cs MI, MI
TIE tenor 81 me general nsfutl.hs ~ your h'uS Nv Tue
time, and with your own Views ~ the INV, when snDsc
ai when after the lapse OF months Mr. Mhdget filed
hs written information and although receiving the anne
good faith and without expectation Of benefit yourself
any ASSOCIATED with YOU IN undertaking tie CAGE
sued any other the circumstances had not
naturally erased The hrst call fIom your memory 49,
show that the mode I'm which YOU prosecuted the case
and
money was decrced were uneNceptonable. The pro-
cecdes we're evidently conducted with uprightuess and
ability ana the practical result IN this case, and In Others
which n the means OF setting on loot, appears 10
have been tohe advantage Of the Government The por
zion adud ged the United States guarded 10y you
with scrupulOus zeal 10 the extent OF protecting 10
FROM sharing in some OF tho necessary expenses OF the
The fees certified to you by the court shown ohave
been paid into the Treasury az the United states leaving
your only compensation that received from the informa
lion money Shared as that was by other persons con.
nectcd with the gin progress ~ the proceedings md
these being I'm the language Of distinguished Judge,
new and untred" ana the suit itself pioneer case,
actually realized by you was by no means unreasonable
IN amouut and, whether so or not 10 amply proved TO
have been yountaryipad, ana no one can complain OF
H. It's receipt was not prohibited by the letter or any
law aud seems 10 be fully sanctioned ~ public policy "a
recognized IN several statutes ~ was hot ontcd uhl
after you had obtained Judgment nor paid unu the pro-
ccedngs were substantially closed; ana under the facs
now disclosed could have had influence unless 20
promote additional diligence for the Government and
come from an adverse party nor was by any means git
OF a defendant to law officer OF the Government upon
times attracted our attention in other places, hs Is
broadly distinguished. Whatever varying circumstances
may attend those cases this n In respect parallel
Without going into further particulars am free 10 say,
that the character you bear Tor honor ana integrity In
your official professional and personal relations, VIII not
suffer I'm the minds Of those who fully examine have
ha case whatever the report presented by as Chair
man OF the Committee might have contained, should
ngy had participated IN itspeetration; but am re-
eyed from all possible embarrassment In this respect as
no M % NJ
and simply gave the facts NJ they were made TO appear
Among all the matters brought before the Committee
during your long term Of Office land they were neither
few unimportant this wasthe only one In which any
subject OF pride with you and your friends In view OF the
yast eondd you Pae a. te V saye tS
which you prosecuted with yis9r and success. NJ. =,
While my position has compelled me 10 incur odlum In
opposing abuses land from that duty have not nchedl,
yet at all times have intended and underworld TO be
mertOrOus public services and when proper prefer TO
commend rather than censure
eating committees are frequently censred for testimony
produced before them reflective In It's character yet sus
ceptbe OF explanation az IN you, u sun Tue eA-
You are at liberty to uso this letter in any wayyou may
'0O "'' ''' IRON Mr. lie Blond Of Ohio.
deeply regret that my name should nave been ar
without notice to him and under entire nisapprehen
sion Of facts blame T3s thrown IpUn ne o e t
pepcrs and proofa now before me, and which men
toned I'm the recent letter OF Mr. Hulburd which fully
subscrbe TO- An honorable distinction was won by him
~ tbe manner I'm which the duties Of District Attorney
OF he United states al NewYork were discharged during
the four years of the war aud Us great wrong done
ma TO him 20 unite with my late colleagues IN making all
the reparatiop In our power, r. T. LIE BLOND
Celind, ohio, eept 10 1867,
From M. Rollins Of New Hdmpsltc. 80.
JTavinp carefully examined tile evidence including
official records and other documents referred TO by MI
Iuiburd I'm the foregoing ottor OF tho lst instant am
eatsnpd that great Injustice done Mr. Smith in tue
report and Heartily IN tho views now expressed
by the chairman ~ e committee. Tho original ten.
ony relating TO tho then District Attorney was taken by