New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-13
VIENNA SCANDAL REVIVED.
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION.

GEMS VAN buren, AND MAYER CHARGED WITH RE-
CEIvING MONEY MPRoPERLY-GRoss MIsMAN-
AGEMKST OF THE AMERICAN DEPARTMKNT-THE
BARS" TO BE DIscoUNTENANcED.
WASHINGTON, August 1.-THE Special Com
mission have sent 10 the Department Of state the full
report on the irregularities charged against Gen.
Thomas b. Van Buren, and the replies thereto, together
with the correspondence. evidence and reports con-
nected Herewith. The correspondence Is extensive.
Minister Jay. writing and teleraphng to Secretary
FISH, refers to concessions for bars and restaurants
corruption among confidential Assistant COM
mssioners," "letters purporung to emanate from
Gen. Van Buren,, written, signature and ALL by his as
sstant" person the Exposition grounds was heard
10 say; Il wish some Commissioners were coming
that man would be ashamed to give his hand to-
Inc Commission pool Of corruption" Money paid
to Gen. Mayer for privilege Of erecting restaurants,
bars, &C." Evidence Of Encouragement easily OBJ
tanned at Vienna" startling charges OF corruption
connected with bars lease known in New-York" Three
thousand dollars paid by firm for three bars and
promised monopoly of exhibition" "HItzel Co.
arrive with new grants for bars and restaurants"
Corruption and bad faith" Statement by Boehme
d wiehl and Htzel q Company to money paid
Gen. Meyer" Contract for roofing the American
Court for $4,000" flames. instructed by Gen. Van
Buren, to construct machinery hall for 5000" "Mr
Wiehl declines to make valuation statement as to
money paid Gen. Mayer for bars and restaurants" As
to monopoly Of bars being given to Boehm and similar
grants subsequently, given to Hltzel Boehm said. It's
money" "Hitzel said TO James. You get q first
rate situation and will make all right with you"
Secretary Fish wrote TO Gen. Van Buren, to withhold
Decentralization opening bars restaurants &c, and to
furnish the department the OF parties TO whom
licenses for such places had been granted.
GEN. VAN buren, IsDoRsEs GEN MAYER.
Gen. Van Buren, replied that permission had been
granted Messrs Jewett Htzel The disagreement
between Jewett and Htzel explained. Messrs. Boehme
and Weh granted permission to erect building for sale
OF American drinks. Gen. Van Buren, reports all the
facts adding "No has paid this Commission for bars
anything else" He denounces foul and false the
accusations relative to bars and restaurants reported by
Mr.. JAY Mr.. Fish wrote to Gen. Van Buren, ordering
the suspension OF Gen. Mayer until he shall satisfy the
Department OF his innocence. The Secretary says he
hopes the charges may be the result OF jealousy and dis
appointment the part Of his accusers. Gen. Van
Buren, strongly opposed the suspension saying Mayors
services simply invaluable, and his suspension now
will work great harm" He, however. would obey in
structl0ns.
Mr. Jay gives 10 Mr. Fish an account Of the interview
between Gen. Mayer and Mr.. Jay. Gen. Mayer wished
to speak conhdentally. Mr.. Jay declined TO receive
confidential communications, but would hear anything
Official Gen. Mayer accepted the condition, and said he
and Gen Van Buren, received each $500 from Htzel for
bars TO contribute to expenses Of the Exposition He
stated that he afterward returned his to Hitze Cen
Mayer was reluctant 10 let Assistant Commissioners
at Vienna share the "glory of the work" He asserted
his entire innocence OF all the charges against him. He
refused surrender the books papers, &c. OF the CON-
mission.
Gen. Van Buren, writes to Secretary Fish that Gen.
Mayors suspension was "great wrong TO worthy
man." lie had implicit confidence in his integrity The
questions propounded by the Special Commission were
personally insulting the highest degree" AT first
he was assured that there charges against him,
but subsequently, informed that 1t would not DC
well to defend Gen. Mayer, make himself liable for
his acts The money borrowed by Gen. Mayer for
the expenses Of the Commission. Gen. Van Buren, re-
plies to the charges against himself
Gen. Van Buren, also sent address TO the President
OF the United States, relating Ddigntes to which he
had been subjected.
Messrs Jay and McErah write TO Secretary Fish that
the evidence against Van Buren, and Mayer demands
their suspenson and they recommend the suspension
OF the whole Commission aud the appointment Of tenn
porary Commission, suggesting III persons
Gen Van Buren,, writing to Mr. Fish, pronounces the
charges false and infamous" and says the Commission
was palsied aud work retarded by the special In
| QUESTION.
Mr. Fish informsMnister Jay that the Assistant Com
mi-sioners had been suspended and temporary Com
mission appointed. The suspension was not to reflect
on any particular Commissioner suspended.
Gen Van Buren, writes to Mr. Fish that he has been
" degraded condemned. and punished without charge,
trial. or proof" he respectfully asks that he may be
| righted as publicly as he has been wronged'
He saws the Special Commission endeavors to convict
him of mismanagemeDt" etc. He appeals from their
decision and explains the action OF advisory COM
mittees The temporary Commissioners were 70 receive
the congratulations from the Austrian authorities Tor
| work which his hands and his means performed. He
Ands no parallel to this outrage In all history HIS
character having been beled and destroyed, he hopes
IN obtain hel unbiased verdict Of the great American
| people"
Mr. Fish SAYS TO Mr. Jay that the Commissioners not
mpcated In Irregularities are 10 be Vlndcateu as sooh
as possible. The temporary Commission was expected
to recommend the reappontment OF former Comtnis-
.,oners not i'm dictated. Justice demanded this Gen.
Van Ruren must not excluded from his position at the
opening OF the Exhibition unless respohsiHe report
| be made a wing the reasons THEREFOR
Mr. Jay writing to Mr. Fish, again incioses the report
n, the speca Commission to the President saying that
| Con Van Buren and one more Assistant Commits
.,oners are proved have taken money from grantees
q, hars and restaurants 1t Is recommended that the
Commission now suspended restored In whole or
| In part -. ,,,rs
| GIN VAN buren, MAKES CoUsTER-cHARGEs'
osn Van Buren to Mr.. Fish says the Exhibition is in
confusion: Great is Jay and McElrath his prophet
| spies and nformers employed TO accomplish Inc
| .n.nen.ion Of the American Commission. witnesses
80. .,,oa IN m , ke statements adverse TO Gen. Van
puren An agent of an American firm was solicited 10
uste charge. against him. Mr. Jay and other members
q, tho ,emporary Commission largely interested In
| one or more sewing machines.
Mr. Fish informs Mr.. Jay that Mr.. jackson g. Schultz
has been appointed Commissioner in place OF Cen Van
Ruren. Schultz accepts the appointment as Commits
ripchef MI Fish also Acknowledges the receipt
| Of the letters sent to him BY Gen. Van Buren,
The correspondence is volumnous and touches on all
tho points involved In the management OF tne American
| densrtment The last witness examined on the
I'D Of July. Acting Secretary OF State Davis July 80
autographed Mr. Jay close the Special Commission ct
| dope FIXTURE ipyeeRationa