New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-18
MR.. BAYARD NEEDS INVESTIGATION

MR. BdYARD NEEDS INPES1IGAIlON.
The facts about the Williams Bayard matter
are these: Mr.. George w. Williams was duly
appointed Minister to Havti, and confirmed by
the Senate, at time when it was Mr.. Bayards
duty as a Senator to know what appointments
were confirmed, and when single earnest OBJ
lection would doubtless have prevented the con-
firmation for that session at least. In asserting
that Mr. Williams had not been confirmed Mt.
Bayard stated what proves to be untrue. MI.
Williams applied to the Department In proper
form for Instructions and for fOrty-ive days
has continued to seek them, but no notice was
taken of his applications. Mr. Bayard now
asserts that this violation of official proprlety-
not to say of common decency-wns due to the
fact that charges against Williams had been
brought to his knC Wedge. Yet he does not
claim that he has at any time brought those so
called charges to the knowledge OF Minister
Williams. II he refused Mr.. Williams informa-
ton of them, and yet allowed them to influence
his mind, az he asserts, so far that he was
guilty of breach of Official propriety toward
that official, Mr.. Bayard has for some reason
failed to act the part of a gentleman. Nor does
he now give Mr.. Williams any opportunity to
meet the pretended charges against him, or the
public any opportunity to know what they are.
But he does go out of his way to do thing
which gentleman should not do he ailirms
that Mr.. Williams, being in need, begged for an
advance on his salary, which he, MIR. Bayard
- tried to arrange" and yet he proves that this
account is untrue by also asserting that Mr.
Williams, not having flied bond, was not en-
titled to any salary.
The statement of Mr. Williams, on the con-
trary, is consistent with itself and with known
facts He states that he told by Mr.. Bayard
that there were charges against him, and
he had be tier resign but when he demanded to
know what the charges were, he was again told
by Mr. Bayard that he would have to resign,
and if he would do so at once should have his
pay TO date without delay, but the charges
could not be made public. Then came Mr..
Bayard's clerk, saying" am instructed to have
l." that money paid to You Immediately, ana un-
"derstand that you are to tender your resigna-
@tion" Mr.. Williams declined to be bribed to
give his resignation on account OF charges when
he was not allowed to hear, and has appealed
to the President.
Mr.. Bayard may not be able to overcome his
prejudice against colOred citizen who was
also O brave Union officer, but he might at least
be manly and truthful in dealing with gentle
man of the color to which he objects. His CON-
Trajectory assertions about the matter contrast
painfully with the straightforward account OF
Mr.. Williams The attempt to induce an officer
to resign by promising to have paid at once
| money which was rightfully due, Mr.. Bayard
| should understand, is not regarded rs the con-
Duct of a gentleman, and there seems to be a
doubt whether Ithe President will regard 1t as
fitting conduct for reform Administration. II
there are charges against the Minister to Hayti,
common decency requires that he should have "A
chance to meet them. But i'll any case Mr..
Bayard will not succeed in covering up his own
want of veracity, and disregard of his duties as
gentleman and as an official by using abusive
| language.