New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-28
THE VIENNA EXHIBITION.
THE CoMsnssIoNERsHIP SCANDAL.


THE NATIONAL REPUTATION IN QUEsrIoN-sERI-
Gus MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN SECRETARY
FISH AND GEN. VAN buren,.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, April 27.-No public scandal
has caused 20 excitement in Washington since the
Credit Mober developments as the suspension OF the
Vienna Commission. The State Department was be-
seged yesterday. by the friends Of the Assistant Com
rnissoners, who in person teegraphed TO the
Secretary In behalf OF those who thus disgraced
without an opportunity TO defend themselves. From
Administration sources it Is learned that the
reports, faint hints OF the nature Of which
have been made public by tho Secretary Of
State, were considered at the last meeting OF
the Cabinet before the President went west and that
degree Of indignation aud shame exists In the Cabinet
such az no other discovery OF dishonesty corruption
has produced. High officials ergue that Americans
already much the reputation in Europe Of be-
ing jobbers and sharpers and that an event like this
following closely the heels OF the Fremont bond
business in Paris will do much to confirm the bad Opn
ion foreigners have OF Although tho purpose OF the
Administration is known enough has leaked ont to
warrant the belief that whatever may be the result OF
the examination now making in Vienna, Gen. Van Buren,
will be removed from the head OF the Commission and
some other man not yet selected put in his place. II
there evidence against the present Commissioner,
as there seems believe there H. he will be
given letter setting HIM right before the country and
the world the department 10
what has already occurred has destroyed the usefulness
OF the Commission first organized. The friends OF
some Of the Assistant Commissioners have already OBJ
tanned assurances from the State Department that GER
tain members are not suspected OF irTegularity The
following letter written yesterday in relation to the
editor OF The Philadelphia NORTH American explains
itself:
STATE DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON. April %, 1873.
WILLIAM MCMICHAEL Phtlddetphid-SIR: In reply 10
your inquiry take pleasure saying that so far az the
TO suspicion OF any irreguarity on the part OF
Mr.. Clayton MeMehael, who was appointed one of the
tioD In his connection with the Commission. A
detailed report OF tue examination when takng place
moment the suspension Of all who shall not be lmpli-
Gated will be removed. HAMILTON FISH.
Tue friends of Cen Van Buren, and Of or the As
sistant Commissioners very Indignant at the action
OF the Administration in suspending the whole Commits
sion They that thus far ground for suspicion Of only
three men has been found, and that such thing
never known to make the innocent suffer with the
guilty, when the guilty ones were known. They do not
agree with Secretary Fish thar the whole Commission
must be considered a unit and that all must neeessa
rly suffer for the sins OF OF three Gen. Van
Burens friends even attribute the summary action Of
the Administration TO personal differences between him
and Mr. Fish which, though 1t did not show itself In
hostile prevented cordial cooperation between them
They say that Mr. Fish did nothing to assist in getting
the 100000 appropriation through Congress- but that he
Presidents favor it is doubtful II Van Buren, would
have had any appropriate ton all They deny the
rectness report that has emanated from the state
Department since the scandal became known, that the
10 Assistant Commissioners were appointed on the recon-
mendaon of Gen. Van Buren,, and assert that Mr. Fish
substituted OF his own selection for the maortyn
not for all the Van Buren, sent to him. The report
that Gen. Van Buren, refused 10 sign bond making HIM
responsible disbursement Of the entire 100000
true his friends that tho refusal arose from the
fact that large part OF this sum was to be paid for
debts 10 contracted In making preparations at Vienna
before his arrival there and he refused to be espon
sible for such expenditure since he had nothing do
with IT, The report OF the investigation which is eI
peeted in few days, and which Will probably be given
t once to the public looked for with great interest
COMMISSIONER VAN buren, CHARGED WITH BEING
acknowledgements OF A VIENNA JOURNAL
LONDON. April %, 1873.
The scandal in relation to the appointment
OF the American Vienna Exposition Commission occu-
pies public attention In Vienna The subject is being
discussed In the journals.
Gen. Van Buren, has addressed to President Grant
strong remonstrauce against his suspension II ia openly
charged he was copnizant Of the exactOns. The
pended Commissioners disposed to deny the author.
ity OF Minister Jay to remove them temporarily.
An editorial In the Neue Freie Presse. quoting Min
lister Jay as its authority, and evidently inspired by
him. alleges that large paid to the suspended
large firms for various concessions Money accepted
on the pre,ext OF subscription for the erection OF
modern schoolhouse, and the journal ironically
marks: "They thus exhibit the fruits OF that iusttu
ton" 1t mentions that two restaurant keepers, Ger
mans paid each $1,000 for the school-house.
Minister Jay and Gen. Van Buren, have evidently been
at variance from the beginning and the delay and disor
ganization in the American department Of the Exposi
ton are necessary consequence. The list OF American
exhibitors and the plan Of the allotment OF space TO
them are not forthcoming II is reported they were sent
from London by express and lost but probable
they are among Official papers that Gen. Meyer
fuses to deliver the newy-appoined Commissioners.
EXCITEMENT AT VIENNA-CHARACTER OF THE NEW
COMMISSIONERS.
VIENNA, April 27-There is much excitement
here over the suspension OF the oorrupy appointed
American Commissioners There is report that an
assistant of the head Commissioners borrowed money Of
the man who obtained the rereshInent contract, and
operated with others in similar way The new men
are already at their duties, aud socially Of better
position,
PREPARATIONS FOR THE OPENING DAY.
TRAVELLING BY WATER AND LAND-sPIRIT OF &C
IIvITY IN THE CITY-yIGORoUs PROCEEDINGS |
OF THE AMERICAN ENVOY. |
fPpou SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSEl |
VIENNA, April IA word of advice to those
who are about making the Journey from the European
Atlantic ports hithe may not be useless even to those
who know the road under ordinary circumstances Asa
standing warning to American travellers should say,
unless they wish especially TO England now, avoid
landing at English port only to escape the passage
~ the Channel on those wreched copies OF the Argo
with steam engine added which serve TO connect the