The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-26
lAusYlC REVIEW or DEVELOPMENTS.
I'LL Advised, Unfortunate and Incompatible
with the Duties Of His orr.
cial Position
SPEECH OF Mr.. HEWITT, OF NEW YORK.
How Widows, Clergymen and Halliday
Officers Were Robbed.

WARRINGTON, May rs, 1870
In the House to-day Mr.. Hewitt, OF New York, from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, submitted the fol-
lowing report In reference TO the connection of General
schenck while Minister to England with the Emma
Mining Company
xEPoRr or THE COMMITTEE
On the 2sth day OF February 1876 House adopted
aresoution in thu following words (page ~
ss 70 on ss sa ,.
pscson e The United states NsMs. The Court Of S.
sS % re S s :. Ss TO said
The correspondence which had taken place in refer
70 this subject between the Secretary OF State and
General Robert q Schcnck the Minister OF the United
states the Court OF ST. James, and the communica.
ton Of tho Secretary Of State accompanying the cor
respondcnce had been previously referred back by
House 70 tho committee for further consideration
This correspondence developed the fact that in the
month Of November. 1871 the American Minister at
director Of the Emma Silver Mining Company Of Lon.
don corporation formed in Great Britain, the
mine in the Unned Ststcs, which he represented as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentary SO
Tar as tho committee have been able ascertain, and
they believe to be true this is the first in
which diplomatic representative OF the government
Of the United States has allowed himself become
sociated while acting MS Minister, in private enter
prise, carried in his country, but offered for
alo In the country TO which he Is accredited Tho
questions presented therefore, for inquiry and coLsd
l. Whether il IS proper for an American Minister to.
allow the use OF his name and consequently OF his OIL
cia position for tho two cannot be separated TO fur
sheT the sale OF American property the open markets
OF the country to which he Is accredited
Whether his relations 10 the vendors Of the prop
efy have been such as TO cast suspicion upon his mo-
tivcs and subject his action TO unavorablc criticism
Whether his subsequent action in connection with
the company or It's shares by dealing in them other
wlse is compatible with the proper exercise of his
diplomatic functions and the maintenance OF position
Dt honor and usefulness NJ his post of duty.
III the committee right their of inquiry
submitted 10 them II viii be that the question OF
The real value OF the Emma mine has no special bear
ing upon tho conclusions to be reached They have
however, felt themselves com PEELED take a largo
amount OF testimony on this subject because evidence
bearing upon that point had been taken prior tho
arrival Of General Schenck, who, therefore, insisted
that IL was necessary for his defence and vindcaon
that further testimony should be taken and they
unwilling 10 deny to man long and eminent in the
public service any privilege which he might feel dis
produce evidence giving tho whole history Of tho enter
PRISE and the result tho volume OF $40 printed pages
which 10 herewith submitted to the House part OF
Ibis report
The report then gives resume OF tho facts as they
appear from the evidence which has already been pub
ishcd in ertcnso in the HERALD including the corre-
Spondence had between Secretary Fish and General
Echsnck ON tho subject OF the connection Of the latter
with the company, and concludes with tho following
THE rlSprxc
The committee therefore find as TO the inquiries
announced at the beginning OF the report
Evst-Upon the authority OF the despatch OF the
Secretary OF State that proper Tor the Ameri
Minister Al The Court of st. James connect him.
self - director with the Emma Mining Company OF
London. This position confirmed by the authority
Of Phillmore lvol. 2, page lo4). who says:-
viii. sacred 0s
this point deserves 20 Be imiatsd-Enim g gaioae ,S
gr nqss clients neqne proprs ngots 80 insponers de-
Secondrhat the relations or General schenck to the
vendors Of the Emma mine were OF such character
y
action to uniavorable criticism But the committee
believe that he was not guilty Of fraud or Of any
fraudulent intention IN his connection with the COM
pany the vendors OF the minO
Third-That his subsequent speculative dealings in
The shares O. The company were not compatible with
tion OF honor and usefulness at the Court near which
he was accredited.
The committee therefore, submit tho following reso-
uton and unanimously recommend its passage BY the
House,
Resolved That this House the action Of GEN.
era Robert c. Schenck United sates Minister the
Mining company q London and his in eonnee
sion With the shares OF the said and The vendors
the dutiss Of his oicis position.
The report having been read Mr.. Hewitt addressed
The House a. folows:-
SPEECH or Mr. HEWITT.
Such, Mr. Speaker, is tho unanimous verdict Of the
Committee ON Foreign Affairs reference TO the con-
nccton OF General Schenck lao the American Minister
suoh doubtless will De the verdict OF this House and
the general Judgment OF the country This verdict has
il which General schenck has had every possible op
portuniy for his defence and for his viudicaton The
committee have performed their duty with profound
OF tho consequences to General Schenck, alter
OF over forty years the public service apd
With desire, Il possible, TO shield him al the
close OF that from the which they
now reluctantly constrained TO nllc n his rcputa
ton had aonc concerned, the mantle OF charity
shs asr but the honor and dig
nifty OF tho people Of the United states became
sary involved in tho affair, when upon the receipt OF
copy OF General Schencks letter Of resignation the
ADM distraction failed TO recall him at from his
mission having deliberately violated IN this letter.
after explicit notice from the Secretary OF State,
the well settled principles which should govern the
conduct vi our representatives In foreign countries.
Tho committee would failed their duty II they
had admitted by their silence the doctrine that an
American Minister may use his Official station Tor the
purpose Of promoting private gain, and be allowed 10
life the ambassador occupies The delicate tho
most responsible the most honorable. He represents
Into foreign lands an absolute immunity from arrest.
The flag OF his country makes his domciIc sacred from
Intrusion. No matter what crimes he may commit, lie
country. upon tho soil Of which he Is supposed
10 stand wherever his loot may
But while no harm come to him personally by
any act OF his he con commit no ACT Whether noble
y infamous, which does not directly affect
THE HONOR THE NATION
which he represents Hence his gulding rule OF action
must necessarily DO to subordinate ali personal anu pri-
interest 10 the national honor and his immunity
prosecution - the NcTy itasoh why Shou'" ~
tram engaging any operations by when others
may sustain loss while he protected from personal
responsibility % all places n The pubic service
most conspicuous and honorable. On tho
pther hand, SO delicate Is his position tnai the
slightest intimaton from the Power 10 which he IS ac
credited tnat his unacceptable Is held 10 be
The warrant for his recall without demurrer aud with
out explanation. IL true that foreign nations cxcr
eise discretion subjects Of much deicacy,
ana generally iorbcar g. intimate dissatisfaction, even
when there good ground Tor ~ but this all the
stronger reason why proud and sensitive people
should not be huailiated before the civilized world
by the continuance IN Office Of representative
who has fallen below that high standard Of honor which
va desire 10 MAINTAIN among the nations. Caesars
wife should bs aDove Suspicion" The honor Of tho
oil the United states should their
own acts become the subject OF criticism In tho news
papcrs the clubs aud tho social circles OF the
10 which they accreditcd anu above all, when nd
monishcd OF fault which would be vcnal II promptly
and publicly confessed, they should aggfavatc the
o1ence by repeating H. ne General schemes in his
letter OF suffered 10 90 upon the records OF
mo state Department without prompt and Just rcbnkc
s-s.~ covcrnu1c0t when could only thus rcIicvc