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,
ox-Mayor Fernando Wood, this report has
much Importance:
In conclusion the committee find on tho
whole case that tho charges are utterly
groundless and causeless; that the Com
missioner has been devoted, honest, and
able public servant. The committee find
that his great trust has been performed wisely,
dislnterestedly, economically and most sue
cessfully.. If there be anything in the con-
duct OF the affairs Of this Bureau which
could excite 4 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
moro 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, disclaims all responsibility for them.
Tho evidence he adduced was not evidence
tending to establish the accusation, but was
nearly all of it mere experimental, an in
quiry by the person calling the witnesses
into the details of transactions of which he
seemed to have neither accurate knowledge
~ information. While the examination W as
going on with closed doors under a pledge of
sefie.y imposed on tho committee, counsel
ana parties, incorrect statements purporting
60 be reports of the testimony were spread
y -ni NH
furious to General Howard and utterly with
ut support in the evidence. II is not il, the
power Ut the committee or tho House TO re-
pair this injustice or to compensate this faith
.ul public officer Tor the indguity, anxiety
aud expense which his defense has entailed
upon him. All that is in our power is to
.ecOmmend to the House the passage Of tho
blowing resolution rs expressing our opin-
n Of the Whole case. as an act Of justice to
i faithful and distinguished public servant.
March >, 1871. Mr.. Townsend moved to
suspend the rules aud pass the following
esoluton of the Committee Of Educati
and Labor, viz:
Resolred, That the policy pursued by the
United States towards four and half mill
lion Of its people suddenly enfranchised by
the events Of Il great civil war 10 seeking to
pioVluc lOr tnelr cuuCdIlOn, 10 renQer CneIn
independent and self-supporting; and in OK
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
causelcss 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
a vote Of l34 ayes to 50 hayes.
SAMUEL M. ARNELL,
JOHN BEATTY,
GEORGE F. HOAR,
WASHINGTON TOWNSEND,
CHARLES M. HAMILTON,
SAMUEL s. BCRDETT,
JAMES n. TYNER,
LE0RAND w. PIERCE.
Committee.