New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-13


the unloading of the vessel seems 10 demand expi@nA
ton.
The evidence shows no taking OF money by any mem
ers OF the Commission excepting Gen. Van buren, anu
Mr.. Mayer In regard TO Gen. Van Buren, the spec'ai
do not hesitate to report that they dissent
from his justification Of the taking OF $500 as loan Iro
Hitzel under the circumstances shown in the evidence
that they held unsatisfactory the explanations given by
Mr. Van Buren, touching the 900 which he received from
Messrs Boehm wehl that they find an utter want OF
rankness incxcusable disregard OF exactness IN
the statements made by him TO the Secretary OF sse I'D
his letters of the 18th and 18th OF March in regard to the
number OF concessions bars, and touching the ee-
egrams from Vienna reporting the character OF corrup
tio and that the Dexactness of the assurances then
given msled the Government into the belief that no
Irregularities had been committed demanding an inVes-
tgation at Now York thus compelled the transfer
OF the inquiry at Vienna.
GEN. MAYER's CASE UNDECIDED.
As TO the Justification set by Mayer that all ne did
in the taking and asking of moneys was done by MIN as
subordinate, with the knowledge and approval OF the
Chief Commissioner and to the various questions OF
yeracity raised by the evidence Gen. Van Bu-
rem and Gen. Mayer. touching the alleged completely OF
the former In the proceedings OF the latter ana the
sharing by Gen. Van Buren, Of the second 900 obtained
from Boehm and wiehl the Special Commission re-
frain from expressing opinion for the reasons:
l. That they deem the discussion Of these points
acts nor partition OF the moneys would in their opinion
render the acts proper, or constitute yad ueiense or
O. That the testimony indicates that additional and
conclusive evidence on these points is attainabe AZ
New York than can be found at Vienna. .
g. That they do not conceive for reasons to be present
y stated that their judgment on this point Is necessarily
embraced in the scope Of their Instructions.
They hold that it the duty of the Chief Of the
American Commission to exercise wise vigilance In
the appointment of each and all Of his assistants. and
especially of his first and confidential assistant and 80
exact supervision OF the management OF the Commits
sion protect 1t from the smallest faint or suspicion
of corruption and enable it to accomplish at Vienna
reasonable and fifty TO represent the integrity
and honor Of the Government.
Were the Special Commission to admit the justice of
Gen. Van Burens defense for acts which ho ac-
knowledges. and they to pronounce unproven
charge made against him by Gen. Mayer OF hay-
ing approved shared his exactons OF money there
would still remain the charge-the gsavest, save that OF
corruption which could be preferred against the chief of
commission appointed to represent In an assembage
OF the nations the industry the culture, and the fair
fame of our Repubc-the charge of having permitted,
through period OF months, from want Of clear
sighted intelligence and due vigilance, the loose man
sgeent indicated by the testimony marked by rregu-
larties which have arrested the Of tue Comms
sion and brought dishonor Oh the Republic
GEN. VAN buren, CONDEMNED.
The Special Commission therefore, without entering
at all upon the charges Of completely made against him
by Mr. Mayer compelled TO regard Gen. Van Buren,
as responsible az the Chief OF the Commission. for the
abuses Of authority committed by his confidential as
sstaut and, apart from charges Of pton. they
ind the management generally Of the Commission,
which Gen. Van Buren, appears to have left to bis sub
ordinates, to have been marked by lack of judgment
andforesigh absence OF effective system and order,
and looseness In contracts in Instructions, and In
accounts calculated to inquire the ruin Of any private
In tpaf AT
inuusted 10 Gen. Van Buren,, to the last degree dis
credable and intoerable, indicating indifference or
incapacity, or both combined
While the injury to our country by the corrupt and
sloveny management OF the Commission Is to great
extent irreparable. rare opportunity having Deea
lost ard an Exhibition having been made SO unjust 10
ourselves in ts character aud deficiencies TO have
posed unnecessarily 10 national Illumination, much
has nevertheless been done by the prompt action OF te
Government and the temporary and succeeding Com
mission arrest the consequences OF tine disaster
The order Of the President lnsututlng an lnVestlga
tion and with complete subecton private cOnsld-
erations to the national interests snspendlng the co
mission TIL it was completed refued the idea broached
by the enemies OF the Republic IN Europe, that the
American people were so accustomed 10 onela cOrrup
ton and 80 nsensble 10 the national honor that they
could hear without surprise ndsnstion the gravest
charges against the Commission appointed 10 represent
American industries at q worlds exposition
The ready response OF the temporary Commissioners
70 the demand of the President for their services is
happy augury showing the ability Of the Executive,
in Whatever crisis to command the services of Ameri
cans whatever land to protect, at Whatever personal
sacrifce the interest and honor OF the country.
The organizing power executive ability, and untirng
efforts OF these gentlemen went far 10 rescue inc Amer
tcan department. from its demorazed condition and to
introduce order and arrangement The la0ors OF their
SUCCESSORS bringing TO bear sound Judgment and pus
ness SKILL under the judcous lead OF Mr. Schultz, nave
done all that could be done to give appearance OF
responsibility to our scant department somewhat en-
TALLY redeemed by admirable Inventions.
The efforts OF these gentlemen nave been comoine1
with those OF Of the Scientific ana Artisan
Commissions to select proper jurymen OF skill and repu
atOn whose characters will dssipate all Tears OF ur-
ther Irregularities In regard TO the impartiaty Of Amer
lcan representations in the distribution OF medals aud
they have secured from experts the promise " series
OF reports such branches OF the Exposition as may De
most important In the United States
The duties OF the Commission appear to be performed
iudiclsy and with conviction OF grave responsibility
and prudence OF the present management are Wen cal
cuated to cause the past rregaIares 70 oe i9rgos1e
son and to encourage the hope that the arr and indus
try Of Europe may DO fairly represented al our own een
The Special Commission further report that there have
been established IN the grounds OF the Exposition Two
American and bars in regard to which no
corruption appears; the one by Knne OF Chicago tne
permit for which was given by the Baron schwarzs Sen
born without the intervention OF Gen. Van Buren,; and
the other by Tracy Jewe under authority from the
American department but without the payment Of the
commission and percentage demanded by Mayer
for Van Buren, aud himself There are in addition two
Pavilion" and the American, indian wigwam." and
third bar granted at Gen. Van Burens special re-
Ss Paace Of fndustry ali three belonging TO Boehm
weh appear 10 have been obtained by them In success
sion payment OF moneys and the promise of an in
The state Department IN the letter quoted, advised
Gen. Van Buren, that the establishment OF single bar
al the Vienna Exposition would lie Of questionable pro-
prety. The Commission are clear that The ground thus
TAKEN ~ shs tSs ae
drinks, however desirable as matter OF curiosity
among me attraoons o. an european expostioh, are
honest pride, which they desire TO propagate
through the agents and with the same sanction OF the
Government.
In Of this fact and Of the further fact these bal
have been multiplied by corrupt practices and b. the
nda al nf! la a.
recommend that the American Commissioner at Vienna
instructed 10 advice she Imperial Manager OF the Elk
position the authority given for the establishment
of said bars given improperly and that the Amer
lean Commissioners will longer sanction, supervise,
ha All or