New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-26

among three schools in the South The lumber for these
buildings purchased in Maine mt a great saving
(nOre than 81 eo AZ compared with prices In Washing
on; by this arrangement, Sos ianiles, ooPi ryar.
rescued from yr,u 9.c and suffering, and
established in independent and comfortable MONIES, Tion
OF the fund in benentng the institutions OF education 20
which II finally destined. These dwsngs "e l
secured TO the freedmen AT an average COST Vi apo t
Neither Gen Howard nor any other person except tne
freedmen, received the slightest personal OF Pocy
benefit from The transaction The prizes W.T. V' there
btant asserted in the charge on the eOntIr ,eo
was no real cost to the chaser ana no net ae
crned to the latter, and the credit ana glory W ' ~
| nier. -
In the Judgment OF this committee. Gen. Howard was
fully justified in this expenditure And IN regard 70 ae
wb S Sl ss Transaction 80 nno HIM nv law that in
tas a. IN other cases he consulted NOT 1ty tsd ~
great respect and confidence, before making inns apph
| cation Of funds. -,.
to Gen. Towards philanthropy more glorious thal any
marble shaft sculptured bust. Thank God II i so near
the capalof the nation. Perhaps Others may pr0ht by
| GENERAL ExrRAvAGASCE-cHARGE Il.
Under this general head he proper to advert 10
two three matters which consumed considerable time
in the investigation II is in evidence that certain con
by which the sand obtained on less favorable terms
also that more sand drawn than was used IN me
buildings But IL in also in evidence that the Ocef VINO
made the contract supposed at the time IT would result
in saving TO the Bureau. This evidently one OF those
Onal fault OF any BY this mistake some loss was
sustained the testimony being very indefinite AZ TO the
made uniformly testify that Gen o. o. Howard was not
responsble for nor connected with the transaction In any
way. The person whose oversight occasOned the primer
pal loss was promptly discharged; or, hndng that ne
was TO he discharged resigned.
A witness called from Kentucky by whom ~ was
proposed 10 prove that certain attempts had been made
in that State to purchase bounty claims from tne reed
men az cheap rates and then obtain full payment upon
them from the Bureau. The Committee voted that the
complainant be at liberty to make such proof II ne tso
showed that Gen. Howard knew or was informed OF the
facts. No such proof being offered ana fuI hveslea
ton OF the same transaction haVg been a an nue
~ of he Jar lie
GRAFTON OF persons connected Win lhe bureau, INV
sought to be convicted it not deemed proper to pur
the investigation further.
witness Yves also called from Florida who complained
that property had been taken from nm anu ~
Rebel owner without compliance with the conditions pre-
scribed by law. IL did not appear that Gen howard
personally had anything 10 do with the matter aud
did to the Committee to require further lnyes-
| tgatIOn. Gen. Howard was extremely anxious that
Gen spragne the Assistant Commissioner for the De
partment OF Florida should be called and these matters
thoroughly inquired into; but the committee du not
choose TO protract the investigation ,
To refer 10 every item which the prosecution attempted
prove would polong this report 10 tedious extent
But outside OF the matters 10 which reference has already
been made nothing has proven which was not ut
terly insignificant aud unworthy OF mention. In the
immense mass OF evidence taken-between $500 aud iCO
pages OF manuscrptno particle tends, in the Judgment
Committee, 10 show that the Commissioner hss
ever had personal object in any official act ON the
contrary. the Committee deem IL remarkable That IN
work vast so novel in III character invovlhg an eA
penditure immense and Devastating the employment
of so many subordnatcs few instances OF abuse Oh
funds, OF losses by unavoidable accident OF OVeslsh
claimed even by lts enemies. ana IN Ills t nc Nm
stances evidence whatever l. adduced tending 10 snow
compcitv negligence ON the part OF HOW
ar The Committee therefore, find that the lith charge
| il utterly without foundation. . -
TnE PREEDaES's BUREAU " RING'-CHARGE IS. .
The charge that Gen. Howard belonged to a q" ring
known rs the "FTeedmens Bureau Ring II cohchrd III
language of some one more gonS9rsaht WIN Po
ltical combinations than with phanthrOpc sttutiohs
II il evidently intended Ia convey the ld.a that Gen
Howard and those who were united with MN m the
great work OF ameorating the condition of the freed
men were banded together To use the positions "hch
very vague and indefinite charge way supported
by the testimony. His accuSer has not produced ldfIie
freedmen's affairs Howard has been in any way de
relict The ring sneeringy so called with whlch ne
thropsts of missionary associations OF educational m
sttuons, of learned and eminent divneS OF devoted
and benevolent men and women. who were Wiling 10
leave the comforts Of home and the society OF TeaNe
and friends for the Of Grg the the g9 e"
ranchised people OF the South, regardless OF the brutal
Insults OF predced mobs the heartess sneers OF ed
ucated Rebels.
| RFcKIEssSEss WITH WHICH THESE CHARGES WERE PRE-
Tn leaving the consideration Of the several charges in
detail the Committee deem 1t their duty 10 remark upon
ferred Al the outset Mr.. Wood stated that he had no
personal knowledge of the suoectnater OF the
and that if he had any preudces at all they were III Gen
Howards favor. As the investigation proceeded IL pc
came quite evident that whoever had supplied , Mr
Wood with information mad certainty Id regard 10 some
OF the charges, been guilty OF the most cupabe lhdlHe
ence truth, and had suffered himself to make grave
accusations, which were not only without the snghes
foundation In fact but which the least pains "Ou nave
to he false For instance charge ninth that Cen
| Howard draws three salaries. If Gen Howard had
drawn his salary brgader-general IN the United
|
mems Bureau, the fact could easily have been ascef
tanned by inquiry AT the Treasury. II ne lad drawn
salary as head of Howard University the TACT could
have brpu Immediately verified by examining the rec
ords of that institution charge the truth or fasty o
which could readily have been ascertaled from easily
accessible sources of information, would never nave
been preferred by any person VINO desired rahef To ad
ni d 1nnfonnded SANDERS So with charge that Cen
Howard and his brother interested III the purchase
ana saw a perunary benet The transaction place
I'm the face Of day Its details well known TO men
Of the United states adviser 10 IT, The prices
paid by the freedmen for their homes ~Grf b a
was acquired and divided And so, III laeI Wlth nearly
az T t Committee have thought proper deal prma
rily with the charges referred 10 them by the House
But il would be unjust TO the gallant ofeer ana ialtnlu
pubc servant who has hOnOraby passed me severe
ordeal TO which he has been subjected daily durns lne
past three months, 10 close this report with slGpt YER
diet of acquitta No approximately correct history OF
civilization can be written which does not hiOW OUT
! I'm bold relief. OF the great LANDMARKS OF poIlca
and social progress, the organization aud administration
"T the Free,lmen's Bureau IL is necessary to
clear understanding Of this ease to give bIei outline
lands the necessity that called IL into eXistense me
be done by IT, and the rest- OF thaI Worh a.
10 he performed, its unremting and eXhausng ankle
nosd and were TO he overcome the breadth of mind and
sympathy of heart necessary 70 the pFGer
| forming lust estimate Of Gen HOwards SERVICES
| ORIGIN OF THE BUREAU.
The causes that gave existence to this Bureau were war
,ar are suffering want OF food aud of employment.
Az early November. 1852 more than 1900 refugees
had roloctcd in Washington, Alexandra, Hampton t
Norfok on Jan. l. 1858, Mr.. Lincolns Proclamation OF
Emancipation issued. The vast amount OF want ana
arrinr already existing made necessary for the Gov
ernment 10 nterpOse. Nothing short OF Government au
could reach the great and imperative necessities Oh le
situation Two and half millions of landless housees
and brt adless wards appealed Ia the Government 20
guard and save them. Thousands Of refugees Wte anu
HACK Hooked the different military poets OccuPeu ~
Federal troops thrOug hOut the South or came shoIt
distance within onr lines. large proportion Oh these
| at,lN neal
I'D and inirm and women ana very young I'M
dren In 1855 persons were receiving rillos from
the COmmis-aTy Department Noble men anu
al mari of the country, had endeavOred a
nv means of aid associations 10 relieve this