Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-07-14
The CHARGES Axaiust GEN. Howard.

Inc Nm8F8eS A80nmSt tnems khOW0fUs
MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS OF THE
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES THE FORMER
FULLY KxoNERATEs HIM.
In the House of Representatives, yesterday
afternoon, MI. Arnell. (Tenn., } chairman OF the
Committee on Education and Labor, made re-
port from that committee upon the charges
against General .. o. Howard, Commissioner of
the rreedmen's Bureau, and asked that the re-
port and accompanying resolution, with the
report and resolution OF the minority, be printed
in the Globe, which was ordered. He also made
an Intellectual attempt to suspend the rules and
consider the resolution at p. IN. to-day.
Inc majority report Is signed by eight men,
bers Of the committee, and completely excul-
pates General Howard from the charges made
against him. The committee speak thus of the
and six
There is no denial Of the assertion that the
brick, furnished by ID. l.. Eaton & Co., IN the
fourth charge misnamed the American Build
ing-oiock Company. But there is no proof that
General Howard was q stockholder in, or in any
way connected with, the company at the time
the materials for those buildings were furnished.
The evidence shows that the company organized
with General Howard az stockholder. 1t was
private business transaction at its 0rganiza-
ton, wholly disconnected with the university
or with the administration OF the affairs Of the
Bureau.
1.-The patent brick was brought to the atten-
ton OF the trustees of the university, and its
claims as building material urged upon them
Aithough IT came to them highly recommended
not only by distinguished scientific men, but by
able architects and experienced builders who
had used it, they did not adopt ii until they had
themselves subjected il to severe tests. They
nnally decided to adopt it, and upon that de-
cision Gen. Howard, to avoid even the appear
ance OF evil, withdrew from the company, dis
posing OF his stock at it's precise cost"
The committee further state that Gen. How
aru, IN order that no suspicion might be attached
to him that he was interested in the earnings OF
the company, sold his interest therein at a pe-
cuniary loss. The report denies that Gen. How
him.
In speaking Of the ninth charge, that General
HOWARD drew three salaries, the committed q
General Howard had drawn his salary as
br1gadler general in the United States army
and another as Commissioner of the Freedmen's
Bureau, The fact could easily have been ascer-
tanned by inquiry at the Treasury. If he had
drawn salary as head of the Howard Univer-
sity, the fact could have been Immediately yeri-
fed by examining the records of that institution.
A charge, the truth or falsity OF which could so
readily have been ascertained from easily &C
cessible sources of information, would never
have been preferred by any person who desired
rather to adhere to truth than to poison the
public mind by reckless and unfounded slam
ders: So with the charge that Gen. Howard
ana his brother were interested in the purchase
and sale OF the Barry farm as q private specula-
tlon lot their own pecuniary benefit. The
transaction took place in the face of day. Its
details were well known to men high i'm office
and high in character. The Chief Justice of the
united States was an adviser to it. The prices
PAID by the freedmen for their homes were
known to every one of the three hundred and
nifty families for whose benefit the farm was ac-
CURED and divided. And 50, in fact, with nearly
all the charges.
In conclusion, the committee find on the
whole case that the charges are utterly ground
less and causeless; that the Commissioner has
been a devoted, honest and able public servant
The committee find that his great trust has been
performed wisely, disinterestedly, economically
and most successfully. If there be anything In
the conduct OF the affairs of the bureau which
could excite suspicion, even i'm the breast of
partisan or personal hate, it is owing to the fact
That General Howard, conscious of his own
purity, intent on his great work, has never
stopped to think of the appearances which men
OF less conscious integrity much more carefully
regard.
''Who is the inventor or instigator of these
inquire, Mr.. Wood las has already been stated
dlsclaims all personal responsibility for them
Inc evidence which he adduced was not evidence
tending to establish the accusation, but was
nearly all OF it, merely experimentation inquiry
by the person calling the witness into details of
transactions of which he seemed to have neither
accurate knowledge nor information. While
the examination was going on, with closed doors
upon pledge of secrecy imposed on the com
mittee, counsel and parties, incorrect state
men.S, purportng TO be reports OF the testimony,
most injurious to General Howard, and utterly
without support in evidence. 1t is not in the
power OF the committee or the House to repair
lie ofhcer for the indignity, anxiety, and ex-
pense which his defense has entailed upon him.
follows:
Resolred, That the policy pursued by the Uni
ted States towards four and half millions of its
people, suddenly enfranchised by the events of
great civil war, in seeking to provide for their
education, to render them independent and self
supporting, and in extending to them civil and
political equality, is a source of Just national
pride, and that the House hereby acouits Major
%. Howard
and senseless charges lately preferred against
him, and does hereby declare and record its
Judgment that in successfully organizing and
administering with fidelity, integrity and ability
the Freedmeh's Bureau, which has contributed
SO much to the accomplishment Of the first two
OF these great ends, he is deserving of the graft
tude of the American people.
tS1gned by Samuel M. Arnell, John Beatty
Geo +. Hoar, Washington Townsend, Chas. Nj.
Hamilton, Samuel $. Burdett James NJ Tyuer
Legrand w. Perce.l
The minority submit the following resolution
Resolved, That copy Of the testimony taken
by the Committee on Education and Labor i'm
the investigation Of the charges made by the
Major General Oliver o. Howard, be REFERRED TO
the Secretary of War, with directions to order A
court-martial for the trial OF said Howard upon
charges 20 made.
And also the following joint resolution
Resolred 6y the Senate and House of Representa-
tires, de-, That the Secretary Of War be, and is
nerepy' d.eGsea 70 take necessary measures to
Howard University, its buildings and grounds,
and the lands held by that corporation, which
were paid for by public funds, and to hold the
same subject to further action of Congress; and
that the Secretary OF the Treasury be, and is
hereby, directed to take necessary measures to
recover to the United States any moneys drawn
by General D. .. Howard from the Treasury of
the United States as Commissioner OF the
Bureau OF Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned
Lands, and disbursed in aid OF churches, reli-
gious associations and educational institutions
not in pursuance Of law.
The minority report is signed by Messrs. Nc
Nicely and Rogers.
No action was taken on the reports by the