The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-30
VIENNA, May II, 1873.

VIENNA, May II, 1879
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In the Washington correspondence ofthe HERALD
of April 20 l find what purports to be certain
charges which led to the suspension OF the "Amerl-
can Commission TO the Exposition at Vienna"
secret tribunal has been In session mere Tor |
weeks, composed OF Mr.. Jay and Thomas McElrath |
1.-THE latter an assistant commissioner appointed by
myselO. or the proceedings OF this inquisitOn
have been permitted to know but very little, but
have been repeatedly informed That, after the most
strenuous efforts, it has gathered nothing which
impugned my integrity in the least. According to
your correspondent, my crime consists in my ''un-
fitness for my position" and 'mistakes have made
in the appointment OF my assistants" II every
ofcial i'm the United States should be removed and
disgraced because OF making
MISTAKES IN APPOINTMENTS"
l take II there would be many vacancies created.
But think it will be found upon investigation that
l am not liable to this charge. The gentlemen
selected by me were, with one exception, entire
strangers to me, and were appointed upon the
strongest written and personal recommendations
OF eminent citizens. The only one l knew was
Thomas McErath, and he is now made Judge over
all the Commission, including himself. These Com
uissioners are residents OF different parts of the
United States, are well known and estimaple gen.
tlemen, and think 1t will be news to their large
circle Of acquaintances and friends that they were
unfit for the positions to which appointed them.
Against one OF them only have heard complaint.
and that one Ia General William Mayer, of Brook
Ign. General Mayer has rendered an amount OF
service to the government and to exhibitors that
entities him to consideration; and that demands
from generous public
A SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT
until he can face his accusers and make his answer.
He may have been imprudent but that he has been
corrupt. 1t will take stronger evidence than any
yet produced to convince me.
"Those who owe their appointment to Mr. Fish,
and not to political influence" said your CORE
spondent, '.may be depended upon as men well
qualified for their position"
II you viii take the trouble to inquire further Of
Mr.. Fish, doubt not he will tell you that some II
not all, OF the very best among the scientific, art
san and honorary Commissioners appointed at
Washington, were selected upon my recommends.
ton. The thirteen assistants selected by me also
received their commissions from the State Depart
ment AS to my unftness for my position, appeal
from the statement OF your correspondent to the
evidence Of 500 exhibitors who have upon my soil
citation, sent their goods to Vienna; to the enor.
nous labor performed at my bureau in New York,
ano to the shipping OF a vast amount Of the finest
specimens Of the skill and industry or our country
IN the most perfect order, each package fully
marked and arranged IN proper groups for exhibit
ivsred az Vienna was owing to the iact thas the
commissioners who superintendent the loading OF
the vessels were not permitted to proceed to
confusion and loss nave ensued.
THE vAsrNEss OF THE WORK.
This vast amount Of work was performed in
eight months, without assistance from any source,
save that given by my assistant Commissioners
without an appropriation by Congress, and in spite
OF q violent opposition from many able writer's and
newspapers on account Of the condition OF the
Austrian patent laws. You aege that entrusted
too much to my assistant Commissioners, neglect
ing matters which l ought to have attended TO
myself" Gentlemen OF the first position in New
York and other cities, who visited my Office and
witnessed the devotion OF time. means and health
ready to testify to the entire ialsity OF any such
statement. But II appears lett New YORK "wlth-
out appointing substitute to attend to the duties
taken my place and been appointed by Mr.. Fish Tor
that purpose. single inquiry OF Mr. Stout would
have informed you that he was appointed an hon
orary Commissioner at my request, and that he re.
manned in charge OF my. Office at my suggestion,
In which he acquiesced. did not leave the United
States until urgent requests Tor my presence in
behind was not expected to be large. am glad
to know that Mr.. Stout has properly attended TO
1t. But the last and apparently the greatest crime
or which have been guilty Ii that OF having been
appointed on
THE SOLICITATION OF GENERAL BURNSIDE
think tins announcement Will surprise General
Burnside as much as 1t dses me. i never knew OF
my appointment until saw IL announced IN the
papers. To relieve General Burnside from any
completely In the transaction venture TO send
you the following personal letter from Mr.. Fish, &C.
companying the formal announcement OF my ap-
DnrAa.Hxss STATE, WASHINGTON. June 81. 1874
NY DrAa sis-ihe President has without solicitation
.cnsIes June y ss subject
so1snsn, y one more comsssicnsr Should YOU ~
the will Be-
ins the cooperation OF competent Deputy or Assistant
Although no compensation authorized services
as the epe IS e Ws 10 b r
comprehensive and its results may be Of importance
. '' country an" my ''"f ST. I GAMIn u3 FIsH
In my first interview with Mr.. Fish expressed
my intention OF declining the appointment. on
visiting the President at Long Branch, shortly
after, reiterated my determination and only ac-
cepted the position after his assurances OF support
refer 20 nus message as proof OF the sincerity OF
his assertions.
Now sir, you are the editor OF powerful and
influential journal. Injustice done in the columns
times. have been disgraced in this strange land
through dispatches sent to the Department
by the United States Minister at Vienna. No
opportunity given me for defence. ' have
borne ali this with the fortltude that
when a leading newspaper fills its columns with
such gross llbes as your correspondent has pre-
ca s 81 The aep
year OF the most arduous and thankless toll for the
people OF the United states: after an expenditure
or q large amount OF my own funds; after sending
TO vienna the material for finer exhibition than
was ever before shipped from our Shores and after
coming here with my family, at large expense, as
the occupant OF q position never sought and re.
luctantly accepted.
THR EXHIBITION A TOTAL FAILURE.
In addition To personal disgrace | am Obliged to
see the exhibition have labored so hard to make
success total failure-to ind all nv labor
frttered away-to hear the complaints OF ex.
hibitors. who came here at my solicitation, and
who are now treated as criminals their spaces
interfered with, their goods placed beyond their
control and their permits treated with contempt
Why has all this been dones Why has this scandal
been made at Vienna, to the disgrace OF our
country and the injury OF our.exhipitiont Why
was not my commission permitted to 20 on and
make our department striking success as II was