Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-05-29
HOW AMERICA HAS BEEN DIS.
GkACED AT THE EXPOSITION.

Con. Van nuren's BarterInI for Places
IN the BotldinR-lntervievv with o
""n whom lie Attempted to Bleed.
New York MAY 10y Dispatch to tho Chicago Times.
Tho letters Of Gen. Van Buren,, late
United Statas Commissioner to Vienna,
to President Grant and the State De-
Partment ut Washington, published on
Thursday last, have been the subject
of much comment. The reporter of
the Times called upon Mr.. Sutherland
TINS evening at his place of business,
ana made some inquiries into the mat
ter. III answer to question whether
the report thar Mr.. Van Buren, had of
tered him stand in the exposition
building on condition that he would
divide profits, was true, Mr.. Sutherland
replied Some months ago, a
few days after Mr.. Van Buren, received
ms appointment, q gentleman whom
nad OFTEN seen in my saloon and dining
called upon me and introduced himself
us Gen: Van Bcren, chief commissioner
to the Vienna exposition. After few
minutes conversation of an ordinary
nature, Van Buren, informed me that
he wanted saloon opened in the
American department of the exposition
at which liquors could be dispensed in
the American style. The establish
ment OF such q saloon, he gave
me to understand, would necessitate
considerable outlay, but there was no
doubt large amount of money would
be made by the enterprise, especially
as he had power to locate the saloon in
the most advantageous position. Ap-
Parentiy to impress upon me that the
idea was q good one, he produced the
ground plan of the American depart.
ment, and pointed to the position he
considered the most suitable for bar.
room: He did not say that if accept.
ed the offer I must agree to
divide my profits with him, but he did
give me to understand that either he
himself or the assistant commissioners,
or both, would expect to receive some-
thing for the privilege they were will
ling to give me. / listened quietly to
all he said, and finding he expected me
to give him an answer, I told him
that never did business in that kind
of way, and that my present restaurant
fully occupied my time, and that I did
not want to 90 to Vienna or any.
where else to open a now saloon.
With this he left me, and although /
did not think seriously of the matter
at the time, as soon Is he had zone the
thought flashed across my mind that
America and her people, il Van Buren,
PERSISTED in his efforts, would be dis
graced ut Vienna. A few hours after
he left, relative of Secretary Fish
casually dropped in to take lunch. He
told me in the course of conversation
that he was going to Vienna, as we'll az
to make tour through Europe, but he
was almost ashamed to travel as an
American, as he feared from all he could
learn that bis country vas sure to be
disgracel at the Vienna exposition.
Upon hearing this, I told him about
Gen. Van Buren's visit and his offer ia
me, and when I partioularized the fac,
that he had offered me room for q
consideration" he exclaimed: eyes
for one-half the profits" This he said
as he was leaving the saloon, aud az
the swing-door shut upon him,
had no opportunity to say to him
that Van Buren, did not actually name
the proposition in words, but that h<
gave me to understand as much. Thu
more I thought of my interview with
Van Buren,, the more became i'm.
pressed with the monstrosity of his
scheme. I told several prominent gen.
tlemen of my interview, and detailed
it at length to three gentlemen Of
position and integrity on the, evening
of the day that Gen. Van Buren, called
upon me. All of them were consider.
ably surprised at my statement, and
hoped I had mistaken the purport Of
Van Buren's remarks. I assured then
that I had not, but still I could not
convince them that the intentions o.
the chief commissioner seemed to b,
corrupt. If I am subpenaed on tn,
return of Gen. Van Buren, to this coun
try by the State Department I canno
say more than I have done now.
The reporter found that Mr.. Suther
lands story was we'll known dow
town, and 1T was the subject of mucl
discussion in the saloons and luncl
rooms. It was generally agreed tina
neither the President nor Mr.. Fish en-
terrain any doubt regarding the truth
fitness of Mr.. Sutheriand's assertion