The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-26
WHAT SECRETARY FISH SAYS.
General Burnside Responsible for
Van Buren's Appointment.
THE STEERAGE PASSAGE.
Treasury Clerks Sent to Report on the
Treatment Of Emigrant Passengers.

Van Buron's Assistant Vienna Commits
sioners Removed-What Secretary Fish
says Now-Burnside and His Austrian
Axes.
The sweeping charges against the American
Commissioners at the Vienna Exposition as first
published in the HERALD cable despatch from that
city, have been fully borne out by the latest advces
received at the State Department. Secretary Fish,
always inclined to take charitable view OF those
who are ''under a cloud.n at first thought that
there were only one or two black sheep among Van
Buren's chosen fold OF thirteen; but alas shep-
herd and sheep alike have gone to the bad.
the secretary, who was inclined to
take the report OF the HERALD Vienna
correspondent with the proverbial grain
Of salt, is undeceived. He admitted this even
ing, with his usual frankness and magnanimity,
that the charges against Van Buren, and his tlir-
teen are more serious than he expected lie con-
sders the whole affair very painful one, as being
calculated to bring, temporarily, great disgrace
upon the American name. The Secretary, always
jealous of the national honor thought that this dis
credtable piece Of business could be smothered IN
the archives of the State Department and there be
buried in oblivion. He was in hopes that 1t
could be settled before 1t got into the
press, and thus the disgrace consequent upon
public erpOse would be avoided. He therefore
considers 1t very unfortunate matter that the
ubiquitous HERALD correspondent should have got
hold Of the ugly facts and given them worldwide
circulation Now that The cat is out Of the bag the
Secretary is willing to satisfy the greed Of an insa
tiate press. He courteously informed your CORE
spOndent this evening that the Committee OF In
quiry, consisting of Minister Jay and Mr. McElrath,
have, alter careful investigation, found that there
was ground for serious charges OF irregularity
against General Van Buren, and his Assist
n
recommended their suspension, and Secretary Fish
thereupon telegraphed 10 Vienna ordering that
they be all suspended. Those OF the Commission
ers who may be able to clear themselves will be
instated, but it is highly probable that in the ma
iority Of cases the present suspension amounts to
removal.
80 far" says Secretary Fish, "there has been
evidence Of corruption against General Van Blu
rem" and he hopes that further developments Of
the investigation win show that there really Is
none. The impression here Is that Van Buren, is
mint for the position to which he has been
appointed. In the first place he has made great
mistakes in his choice OF assistants. He not only
selected some bad men, but entrusted too much to
them, negecting matters to which he ought to
have himself attended, and giving the utmost lati.
tude to his chosen Commissioners. Having charge
OF an office in New York for the transaction Of the
Vienna Exposition business he left it without
providing substitute. Fortunately Mr.. Francis
b. Stout took his place. and has, with zeal
and dsinterestedness that cannot be too highly
commended, attended to all his unfinished bust
ness. Secretary Fish has now formally appointed
him to do in New York the duties which were in
cumbent upon General Van Buren,.
1t Is said that General Van Buren, owes his ap-
ment to the urgent solicitations Of General Burn
side. who asked it as special favor of the Presi-
saan rity linda ~ civ
General Burnside's military prestige covers null
titude of schemes which he has fathered; and
report has it that 1t was with view
to grind some OF his axes at the
Vienna Exposition that Burnside procured Van
Buren's appointment. With regard TO the other
commissioners, 1t is but fair to add that the arti-
xans, scientific men and honorary commissioners
are as yet free from all reproach; and those who
owe their appointments to Secretary Fish, and not
to political influence. may be depended upon as
men well qualified for their positions. II all the
appointments had been made through the State
Department, 1t is said the disgrace Of the present
exposure might have been spared to the country.
Treasury Clerks Sent to Europe to Re-
turn as ssGrecn hOrns'-A Thorough Re.
port the Storage Question Prom
Used.
A delegation OF Treasury clerks, consisting Of ].
Frederick Myers, OF the secretary's oflce; Thomas
B. Sanders Chief Clerk Of the Navigation Division;
Horace L. Piper, of the Second Auditors Office, and
Charles Colne, Of the Comptrolers ONCE have
sailed from New YORK for Europe as cabin passen-
gers on government business, to return In the
steerage Of various transatlantic lines disguised az
emigrants. They are charged with the duty
OF observing and inquiring into everything
connected with the treatment OF emlgrants
In their passage across the ocean, whether
relating to the accommodations Afforded them, the
wholesomeness and sufficiency OF their food. the
separation OF the sexes the conduct Of officers
and crews, the sanitary provisions, hospital ac-
cOmmodations, &C. DR.. B. F. Craig, Analytic
Chemist in the Army Medical Museum, has been
secured by the Treasury Department for the pur-
pose Of undertaking several voyages on the differ
emit lines carrying emigrants, and will analyze and
report upon the food, air and water supplied to the
steerage passengers. These Investigations
set afoot under resolution passed last March
by the Senate at the instance Of employees
OF the Treasury Department, requiring the collec-
lection OF information by that Department, be-
tween then ana september next. The subject will
be submitted to Congress in the form OF reports
from the quasi detectives and the chemical ex.
perts next December, accompanied, probably by
the draft Of a bill extending the protection
Of the national government over the emf
grant as far as legislation can effect It.
Strict secrecy was intended and enjoined
by the Treasury authorities in reference
TO this whole subject; but, to the chagrin OF the
Department, seine of the persons selected could
not refrain from giving air to their Importance
before leaving this city, The agents OF the several
lines OF steamers at New York are understood to
have been furnished with accurate descriptive lists
Of the amateurs OF the middle passage, and every
provision will be made for the comfort OF the dis
tinguished voyagers and their fellow passengers Of
the steerage for the time being.
The Pacific Mail Service.
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company has SUBJ
mtted the question to tile Post ONCE Department
whether pay can be obtained for trip TO be made
On the LIST OF June in an English steamer, the loss
OF the America necessitating such a substitute