The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-27
THE VIENNA SCANDAL.
What General Burnside Has to Say On tho
Subject-He Doesn't Know Whether He
Endorsed Van Buren,, but If He
Did He Did 1t Strongly"

In consequence of recent alleged developments
with reference to the expose concerning the action
OF the United States commission to the viennese
Exposition, coupling the name OF Major General
Ambrose b. Burnside with that OF General Van
Buren,, and stating that General Burnside not only
secured the appointment Of the latter gentleman
but had an interest of a certain character in so
doing, HERALD reporter yesterday called
upon General Burnside at his Office in
Liberty street to request his statement
OF the affair. The General was engaged at the
time, but in few minutes the reporter was con-
quoted to his private office and the business was
at once entered upon.
General" said the reporter, 81 have called to
ask whether it would be agreeable to you to grant
me an interview in reference to the allegations
made concerning your influence in securing the
appointment OF General Van Buren, as United
States Comm;ssioner-in- Chief to the Vienna Expo
sitlon.r
The General smiled, asked the reporter to be
seated, and said -"Well, sir, have no objection at
al-none whatever-and III doing desire to
state that shall con1ne myself strictly TO tho
facts Of the case. SO far as have any recollection
whatever Of them, and as they Will be verified by
the records II verdcation should ever be required.
Now, wait just moment and I'll get paper"
The General stepped into the ante-room and re.
Seating himself he adjusted his spectacles and
turning to the Washington correspondence he
said, as he perused it casually
''Now to begin with--lt Is stated in the HERALD,
here, that General Van Buren, was appointed at my
urgent solicitation. am not now sure that
ever wrote Il letter to the President upon the sub
Ject OF General Van Buren's appointment, but am
quite positive that
NEVER SPOKE TO THE PRESIDENT
personally or to the Secretary of State upon tho
subject. knew, however, of General Van Buren's
application tor the appointment, and 1t Is not at all
unlikely That wrote TO the President the same
kind OF letter that have written to him in hun
dreds OF other cases TOR Officers ana soldiers
whom thought competent TO I'LL the positions
for winch they applied. II did write to the presi-
dent letter favorable to General Van buren it
was assurediy very strong one, because had
lull faith in his integrity and ability, and ! stil
it VIII be demonstrated the future, perhaps, by
an INVESTIGATION, and shall be very sorry for it,"
"rhen there IS still another allegation, GEN.
II coming to that interrupted General
Burnside "ihe correspondent also says that 1t is
reported that sought TO secure the appointments
OF General Van Buren, with a view to grinding
some OF my own axes at the Vienna Exposition.
that | know of nothing appertalning to
the Vienna Exposition which is OF any
Island Locomotive Works have determined to send
to that exhibition one OF their locomotives. do
or not but KNOW that they talked oil doing So My
interest In that concern amounts to Just one tieth
Of It's capital stock, and ! am quite sure that any
advantage to accrue to me In that direc-
ton by any action taken at the Exposition
could not influence Inc. 1t is further stated by
your correspondent that, as charity covers null
titude OF SINS, General Burnside's military
prestige covers a multitude of schemes which he
has at various times iathered. With reference to
that l can only say that l feel quite sure the cor
respondent has given his impressions based upon
WHAT HE HAS HEARD
stated by people around him, and has endeavored
to reflect those opinions correctly But, as matter
of fact am interested in no scheme which is in
opU Hnn fnnf Innn fhn n IN
ment, either in it, legislative, judicial or executive
capacities or departments to the extent OF one
penny. ask no charity or consideration on ac-
count OF my military prestige. During the war
l endeavored to do my whole duty, and my
polntments; ana in view OF the great results &C
complished consider 1t OF no great Importance to
SHAY | ask, General, without intruding too
closely upon your personal affairs il you have often
had occasion to recommend persons for appoint
ment by the PresidentP' asked the reporter.
81 have never asked the President for any office
for myself or Tor any OF my KIM replied the Cen
| era. son three or Tour occasions l have made
personal application to him to have persons APP
If MY MEMORY SERVES ME Alright,
none Of those appointments have ever been made.
Remember, do not make this statement in any
manner as complaint. because | am convinced
that the President was actuated by proper motives
In declining to make them. am quite sure that in
no instance have ever urged the appointment OF
anybody with any degree OF pertinacity, or in
manner calculated 10 embarrass the President in
the slightest degree"
war, General ~ asked the reporter.
II am not sure that can give you In detail his
exact military record. He served during the early
part OF the war as colonel ol the 1920 regiment Of
Infantry OF the State OF New York, and resigned In
iss tn eeye he then became
"Did he at any time serve IN subordinate
capacity upon your star or in your command 20
"No, no, never. He was introduced to me and
had heard OF him as man OF considerable ability
| and my subsequent acquaintance with him proved
these assertions TO be correct, and were called
upon or sought to recommend him should express
high opinion OF him. may say too, In this con-
nection, that have
SLIGHTEST IDEA
that he has done anything wrong In his presens
| action may follow Will only serve to vtndicdte my
| appreciation of his character
.'Do YOU understand, believe, General that
| there were other influences besides your own ex.
erted to secure his appointment as Commissioners
in-Chef?'
| EYES," replied the General, 81 have no doubt Of
1t. believe there considerable influence apart
| from mine, and that mine was a very small proper
| ton OF it. i can scarcely see why tile President
| should make such an appointment upon my appli-
and General Van Buren, was New Yorker and
appointed as New Yorker, and 1t Is scarcely prob
able tnat q small State like Rhode Island
could WELD much power In behaf OF the
citizens Of other states. Still II | am asked to
recommend an ex-soldier and find that his record
was good one, generally do It, no matter what
State lie belongs to, and II was asked to use my
influence for General Van Buren, have no doubt
but that did so use It, though l don't remem-
Der IL.
This substantially closed the interview, and the
reporter took his leave.
BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT AND AUDIT.
D..u