New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-14
CHARGES AGAINST GEN. HOWARD.


UTTERLY GRoUNDLEss AND CAUsELEss-THE
HIGHEST EXPRESSIONS OF ADMIRATION FOR
GEN. HoWARD'S MANAGEMENT.
WASHINGTON, July 13.-In April last, the Hon.
Fernando Wood, upon information and belief charged
that Gen. O. o. Howard, Commissioner Of the Bureau Of
Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, had been
guilty OF maversation ana derection Of duty In the
thirteen specifically stated particulars. Eight Of the
Committee to-day made q report. After examining the
charges seratm, they give in order TO clear under
standing Of the case, brief outline OF the Freedmens
Bureau the necessity that called 1t into existence, the
work be done by It, and the results OF the work as
compared with emancipation elsewhere the great aDor
to be performed its unremitting and eXhausung
anxiees the wide field Of operations, and the obstacles
that nterposed and were 10 be overcome Inc preddln
of mind and sympathy OF heart necessary to the proper
accomplishment OF the task are facts whlch must DO con
sidered In forming just estimate OF Cen howars ser
vices The Committee ask: Has the Bureau been
success and then reply to their own question Success
The world point to nothing like 1t in the history OF
emancipation. No sl3,OCOOOO were ever more wisely
spent Yet from the beginning ts scheme has enconn-
tered the btterest opposition and the most unreehng
hate. scofed at like thing OF shame. shame, SOME no1
ogized for rather than defended, yet with God
its side the Freedmens Bureau has tIlumphed,
OF humanity may well rejoice The Bureau work is being
rapidly brought to close, and its accomplishments VIII
enter into history while the unfounded accusations
brought against will be forgotten There is day and
hour when SANDER lives mott then the passions OF men
sbside. when the dust Of time has well fallen, then
comes the hour Of calmer Judgment. Many -t0ngued
scandal has the briefest OF existence.
that the charges utterly groundess and causeless
that the Commissioner has been devoted honest anu
trust has been performed wisely economl-
cay and most successfully If there be anything IN me
conduct OF affairs which could excite sls
pcion in the breast OF partisan ana personal aatc
own purity intent his great work. has never stopped
10 think Of the appearances which men OF less conscious
integrity much carefully regard Who Is the inven-
tor or sgator Of charges it is not the purpose Of
Mr. Wood as has already been stated disclaims all
personal responsibility for them. The evidence which
he adduced not evidence tending to establish the
accusation, but was nearly all OF merely experimental
the person calling the witness requiring him 10 state the
details OF transactions OF which he seemed to have no
accurate knowledge While the examination was going
with the closed doors under pledge OF secrecy I'M
posed the Committee, counsel and parties incorrect
Statements purpOrting be reports OF the testimony
were spread extensively through the country most in
furious Gen. Howard and utterly without support in
Committee or the House to repair this Injustice to
Pbps s Seense has
him. All that is in our poweris to recommend 70 me
pressing our opinion OF whole case aud act of JUS
tice a faithful and distr guished public servant
and S'i Rsf n Ha Of rs people suddenly ennd By
evil war seeking to RGe ,3% eoG Se@ aG po
cal equality source Of just 6atiSna pride and that & H0 ss
charges preferred against hm and does hereby declare and
with sdey integrity ability the fime9 Bureau WHICH sa.
the accomplishment the first two OF these
great ends be deserving Of the gratitude Of the American people
MINORITY REPORT.
The minority of the Committee on Educa-
ton and Labor TO which was referred for investigation,
the charges preferred by the Hon. Fernando Wood
against the official conduct Of Gen. o. o. Howard, COM
missioner Of the Bureau Of Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands have reported TO the House OF Repre-
sentaves The report recapitulaes the various trusts
and authority reposed in Gen. Howard and the Freed
mems Bureau. 1t presents the opinion that all the
questions that should have been asked respecting the
bank account OF Gen. Howard we're not propounded.
The minority think that the first charge is proved by
the evidence that Gen. Howard used more than half
million dollars OF funds of the Freedmens Bureau for
the Howard University, Hospital and Lands They say
that in his written he admits this, but denies
any improper motive. The minority cite the objects and
uses University, mentioning the KIND or education
which there given to coored students and the ex-
penses Of such education They do not rest their OJec
lions upon the legal question alone as 10 whether the
acts OF Congress justify this Of the Bureau funds
they claim that the object OF the erection or the UNI
versity had reference 10 political preferment and was
step taken by Gen. Howard to procure popularity As
candidate for the Vice Presidency of the United states
The second charge is that land or the university was
disposed Of Improperly 10 members r o. Cen lod Syon
a broker officers OF the Bureau were among lhe
purchasers. The minority state that some evidence
l. nnconradiced 10 the effect that thesepurChases were
made at minimum price, and that the General got Ills
Under other specifications it was charged that
portion Of this land sold was paid for IN me bonds 81
Church OF which Gen. Howard was reasuier ana that
he raid from the funds of the Bureau $4,000 taking the
bonds Of that Church therefor. "TheSe charges though
stated separate heads have reference ~ the same
subject" To the first of these points Gen. Howard re-
piled that it not true; but that IN any case he coud
not officially account the Government for the property
of the University. This the minority sglnatze as the
best specimen Of cool audacy or the most stpld gIl
ance of duty that ever characterized even Government
official" ,..,
Other charges reference to the alleged interest OF
the General in brick manufacturing company and the
defective structure OF the University buildings cohse
quent upon the use Of this brick Ihe minority are OF
opinion il has not been proved that Gen Howar9s
Interest company had been disposed OF before the
contract the building made, and state tIat ne
has offered evidence to prove MS g0ou llIh III ~ ~
matter ana belief the seryceableness Of the brick lie
also charged 18th consent and knowlease concern
ing the improper disposal OF lumber bought Tor tnese
buildings This charge is met by denial on the part OF
the General, and the Committee refused 10 eAainihe te
matter; but the minority are OF opinion tnt tnee ME
evidence enough 10 justify an investigation. Inc
circumstance that the Government pays rent 10 ,he
University for some portion used by Gen Howard tOr
Government purposes, - is Official head uarlers Iors
charge not denied and Is GemmSnted aLOm NY ,e
tives are limited IT. occasion .,, .
admits was fully sustained. The minority oneet
that the Committee declined 10 hear evidence on tls
point concerning salaries or sources O income not e
Toned i'm the charge. There charge that large
sum from Bureau funds was advanced 10 the Young
Mems Christian Association 10 Washington then h9hos
being taken in payment ana sent as, bureau !as ~
Tennessee. The Generals answer 10 this was lha he
ward transferred IL to Fisk University The evidence
only concerns matter OF $500, bat tue minority con
sider sufficient testimony wa NOT ected rom thc
Association There war charge that A" an officer had
received Of money for certain landed properly IN
4 school ia North Carolina instead Of sum OF
money appropriated to IT, Tie minority saf ihat .ls
officer was Gen. Howard and consider the proof OF
the transactior and that the title IN his name sum
cient show that the affair WAS "a palpabie li"uu on
the public treasury" -.
The Barry Farm transactions, aside from Whhl nas
already referred Ia, arr considered by te lhi!
as being indefensbe in Jaw The appropriations OF the
Government IN aid this enterprise. which wac man
age, by Board of Trustees aud lfas reirrenee " p
yiding homes for the freedmen II regarded In the ltPpt
az evidence that the whole affair wa TrsoIa sasus
hctxeen Gen Howard and the Barry Farm are yleN.u
with suspicion. Moreover, tue denchl w. 1890 ex
this report liable for cmbeII'ene"t Oh MI '"' '
pended IN tins enterprise. :. .,a, lnovn
The npal charge was that =" he 10 one :" ''