New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-11


BILL-THE SAN DOMINGO INVESTIGATION.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Friday, June 10, 1870
The recent newspaper comments against the Boad Vi
Examiners West Point account OF their not having
passed the coored candidates for cadethps are denied
by the officers and officials OF the War Department Gen.
Shrver InspecorGeneral, through the chief clerk OF
his bureau, Mr.. Benjamin. supplies the following trust
worthy information on the subject: Michael Howard
(colored Of NJ Howard member OF the MISSISSIPPI
Legislature, nominated by the Hon. Mr.. Perez OF
Mississippi When young Howard reached West Point,
it could readily be discovered that he had received little
education He said he had not been educated that
he had not been at school over year. and he now Is
years of age 1t rule at the Academy that all cand
dates first pass medical inspection This Howard
did, and was pronounced TO be physically capaDe.
When his mental scholastic examination took place, IL
was almost q total failure and he was pronounced
against by the Examining Board and therefore cannot
enter as cadet John W. Smith OF South Carolina, was
nominated by Hon. Mr. Hoge and the Board OF Med
ical Examiners unanimously certify to his physca inca
pacty He has affection OF the eyes, ana goes
nearly blind times. He has also an affection OF the
lungs and IL is well known that he is generally in bad
health He is however, very intelligent, having gone
through course OF studies at the Howard University
here and would probably pass the mental and scholastic
examination but the law Of Congress prevents his al
mission on account Of the physical disability These TWO
coored bows have been treated with uniform kindness at
M
upon new corners been omitted in their cases. be-
the cadets thought the people would say they were
roughly handled because they were colored Doys ey
eat at the table with the Others and nave peeh W
the same rules and under the same proteeuoh' Inc
Board of Examiners and Medical Board are composed Oh
gentlemen Of the highest standing in the country ana
render their decisions according 10 the law ana laes
Resides there IL preponderance of Republicans In eaeh
BOARD and Mr. BENJAMIN says the classes now at west
Point are largely Republican in politics, and that me- as
an ex-soder and Republican, knows the Statements "
ferred to are slanderous and untrue
Something more than the ordinary degree OF eAci'e
men was occasoned by the arrest of the correspondent
Of The Ne,o York Erening Post and his arraignment To-
dav at the bar OF the House for alleged beous puDca
tons against Mr. Fitch, the member from Nevada a
few days ago Mr. Smith, the correspondent OF the news
paper mentioned, sent hence dispatch in which MI
Fitch and several other members were mentioned as
having been approached by persons representing the
Cuban interests The most Objectionable portion or
the publication is found in the implication that bride
was offered for the votes Of the members, and INFER
entally, that these members permitted such offers
TO be made without rebuke. Mr. fltch,
one Of the members, whose name was given,
denied the truthfulness Of the publication, and called
upon Gen Butler Chairman OF the Cuban Investigating
Committee TO say whether there was any proof tending
TO connect him (Fitch) with the alleged attempt at br
berry, Mr. Buffers reply II will be recolected was that
there was such proof Mr. Smith, the correspondent,
stantally that Gen. Butler had informed the CORE
spondent that there indirect testimony against Mr.
Fitch To-day Mr. Fitch in his place to personal
explanation had the last mentioned dispatch read and
again called upon Gen. Butter 10 s.a'e
whether 1t was correct account OF what
he had said to the correspondent. Gen. Butler
replied that it not, and was proceeding to make
known that there was no testimony that implicated any
member of the House In any improper conduct IN REFER
ence to Cuban matters but prevented by an obec
ton sustained by the speaker that II is forbidden by the
rules to dvuge in advance of the regular report what
transpires in the Committee room. A rambling
debateJ ensued, in which the proper mode
of disposing of the subject was discussed,
ending in the adoption OF resolution that Mr. Smith
the correspondent be brought before the House to show
cause why he should not be expelled from the reporters
gallery for Hbelous statements rejecting upon the nteg
ry Of members In about half an hour the sergeantat
Arms appeared, having in custody Mr.. Smith, who was
placed in seat near to and Immediately in front OF the
Speakers desk. The Speaker stated to Mr. Smith the
cause of his arrest Mr.. Smith filed a written
reply substance that his first dispatch was based
upon an AFFIDAVIT OF n. b. Taylor, made before
Grand Jury OF the Supreme Court in this District and
that the second dispatch based upon conversation
he had yesterday with Gen. Butler. Upon being ques
toned as to the in which he obtained access to
the affidavit, OF whom he got the official doeu-
ment &C., Mr.. Smith declined 10 answer, upon
the ground that he could not do so without
breach of confidence. Here another discussion took
Mace I'm which 1t was argued by Mr. Brooks that com
muncatons to newspaper correspondents were IN the
nature of confidential communications OF client TO
lawyer confessions TO priests etc. The reverse OF TINS
was held by Mr. Logan. After attempt to amend, 1t
was finally ordered that the whole matter be
referred to a Select Committee OF five, and
Mr. Smith was discharged from custody. Dur
ing this proceeding the hvelest interest was
manifested by members well spectators in the gal
leres In private conversations the members generally
condemn Mr. Smith for placing the names OF Messrs.
Fitch and Mccormick in print upon such vague
statements when there is no proof that
bride was offered to either OF them, and espe-
cially when 1t is notorious that Taylor, the
alleged afant is under charge of perjury to prevent
trial upon which, It is said he ran of to Canada, where
he remains. Shortly after this proceeding ended
dispatch was read in the House, dated to-
day at Montreal, Canada, from Taylor 10
Mr. Fitch, in which Taylor says he never con-
versed with Messrs. Fitch and the others mentioned
upon Cuban 1t is charged In all quarters here
tonight, that Spanish gold al the bottom OF these as
sauts upon persons officials and Others who advocate
the Cuban cause and that the object of the present raid
is ntmdate and prevent free action upon the report
of the Committee Foreign Affairs, relative TO Cuban
matters set for argument next week. and that Mr. Smith
has nwtngly Of the instruments in the hands
of Spanish agents, to consulnmate their purposes.
Nothing of public interest occurred in the morning
hour of the to-day. The great feature OF the
afternoon was the speech OF Mr. Sumner the postal
service in connection with the bill TO abolish the frank
ing privilege. His review Of the history Of the Post
ONCE in England, and the penny post system was most
interesting and there certainly strong points pre-
sented in favor Of reducing postage in the United States
1t is evident that the subject has become great bore to
the Senate for but little attention was paid 10 Mr..
Sumner by the few Senators who remained in the Cham
her Several amendments have been offered 10 the bill,
and the question first REQUIRED that offered by Mr.
Drake continuing present provisions relative TO the
free transmission OF newspapers. Mr.. Trunbul truly