New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-01
General D. q. Howard.

The following we publish as the concluding
portion of the report Of the Congressional
Committee that investigated charges against
General Howard last year. In view of the
howl against the philanthropist that is being
made under the lead Of that pure patriot,
ex-Mayor Fernando Wood, this report has
much importance:
In conclusion the committee find on the
whole case that the charges are utterly
Sroundlcss and causcless; that the COM
missioner has been devoted, honest, and
able public servant. The committee find
that his great trust has been performed wisely,
di,interestedly, economically and most sue
ccssiully. II there be anything in the con-
duct of the affairs of this Bureau which
could excite a suspicion even in the breast
Of partisan or personal hate. it is owing to
the fact that General Howard, conscious of
his own purity, intent on his great work, has
never stopped to think Of the appearances
which men of less conscious integrity much
more carefully regard
Who is the inventor or investigator of
these charges, it is not for the committee to
inquire. Mr.. Wood, as has already been
stated, dsclaims all responsibility for them.
The evidence he adduced was not evidence
tending to establish the accusation. but was
nearly all of it mere experimental, an in
qulry by the person calling the witnesses
INTO the details OF transactions of which he
seemed to have neither accurate knowledge
or Information. While the examination was
going on with closed doors under pledge of
secrecy imposed on the committee, counsel
and parties, incorrect statements purporting
to be reports of the testimony were spread
extensively through the country most In
furious to General Howard and utterly with
out support in the evidence. 1t is not in the
power OF the committee or the House to re-
pair this injustice or to compensate this faith
full public officer for the lndiguitv. anxiety
and expense which his defense has entaied
upon him. All that is in our power is to
recommend to the House the passage of the
'"ilowinS resolution as expressing our opn-
n "f the Whole case. as an act of Justice to
'iai,'ful and distinguished public servant.
March ,, 1871. Mr.. Townsend moved to
suspend the rules and pass the following
resolution OF the Committee of Education
and Labor, viz:
Resoleed, That the policy pursued by the
United States towards four and half mil
ion of its people suddenly eufrauchised by
the events o. great civil war in seeking to
provide for their education, to render them
independent and self-supporting; and 10 ex-
tending to them civil and political equality is
source OF great national pride, and that
the House hereby acquits Major General
Oliver o. Howard of the groundless and
causeless charges lately preferred against
him, and does hereby declare and record its
opinion that in successfully organizing and
administering with fidelity, integrity and
ability the Freedmen's Bureau, which has
contributed so much to the accomplishment
of the first two Of these great ends, he is
deserving of the gratitude Of the American
people.
Whereupon the resolution was passed by
vote of l3i ayes to 81 naves.
SAMUEL NJ. ARNELL,
JOHN BEATTY,
GEORGE +. HoAR,
WASHINGTON TOWNSEND,
CHARLES NJ. HAMILTON,
SAMUEL S. BCRDETT,
JAMES n. TYNER,
LEGRAND W. PIERCE.
Committee.