The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-06
Another Commission.

Although three different committees of
Congress are now investigating the so-callcd
Mexican question. and with the fullest pow
ers to send for persons and papers, the sub
committee OF Foreign Affairs, headed by
Mr.. SCHLEJCHER of Texas. have succeeded
In getting new Commission. consisting of
two army officers, to be appointed by Gen.
ORD, and one civilian, to Ice chosen by
Gov HUBBARD of Texas to examine into
the San Elzario affair The alleged purpose
Of this Commission is to inquire whether any
Mcxicans were concerned in the disturbance,
with a view Of fastening quarrel on
Mexico
This proceeding on the part Of the Fraudu-
lent Administration Is Il direct aflront TO the
authority of the committees of Congress
though ostensibly adopted at the suggestion
OF n part Of one Of them 1t is an attempt to
take snap judgment 10y means Of precon-
ccrted report Perhaps already written. and
thus to thwart the intention of Congress in
Its aim To secure n searching and impartial
inquiry. To select twoolccrs who have min
glcd in these scenes. and Commissioner on
the part Of Gov HUBBARD. who stands
broadly committed to the EXTREMIST opin-
ions, is substantially to pack the jury which
Is 10 try the case
The country has already had much expo
rience In commissions sent to the Rio
Grande, and without the least advantage.
Reports proved to be false in their alleged
facts and fabricated In their figures are
the legacies they have usually left, to be re-
vamped by INSCRIPTIONS partisans in Con-
gress as official charges of bad faith against
Mexico This present Commission Is clothed
with no more power than any three ordi-
nary persons could exercise, and il will
represent nothing but the organized ma
chinery Of faction. seeking to involve the
country in war for the profit Of speculative
schemes and schcmers.
The causes of the uprising at San Elzarlo
are now perfectly understood, and any at
tempt to give them different meaning. or
a false direction, will signally fail 1t was
entirely local question. within the State Of
Texas. in which the local population was
alone concerned with the possibility Of a
few struggling McXicaus from across the
border estimated In the last military re-
ports not to exceed five These people
and their forcfathcrs had been accustomed
to take salt from the lakes. for domes-
tic use, a. public privilege never
questioned, until n secret sale was recently
made and Judge HOWARD became the agent
of the purchasers In that capacity he at
tempted to levy royalty on this hitherto
free article. and the people refused to pay
tle tax LoUIs Cords, a member Of the
Legislature of Texas was their leader. ana
when he called on HOWARD TO expostulate.
CORDS wasbrutally treated, and Subsequent
Iy killed 10y HOWARD. This inilamed the ex-
element. and the friends Of Cords rallied TO
revenge his murder and drove HOWARD
from the county He promised not to re-
turn, but did return, in violation Of this
pledge backed 10y body of Texas rangers
His bad faith led to the recent out
break. in which HOWARD forfeited his life
This Is the whole story in a nutshell which
the jobbers and contractors and adventur-
ers are seeking to transform into an out
rage on the part of Mexico.
Mr.. EvARTs has from the first played into
the hands Of the Annexation and War Ring.
and this last device Of Commission Is a
small exhibition Of malice and resentment,
intended 10 ufisct the committee which Mr.
CoNKLlNG moved and carried through the
Senate before the recess. That committee
will get authentic Information. either by go-
ing to the spot OF the recent disorder. or 10y
sunimoning the most trustworthy witnesses.
and demanding all the papers bearing
upon the transfer II these lakes to private
individuals, without notice to the commu-
nifty. The whole truth must come out, and
when it does the bottom will probably fall
out Of the job Of making war IN the inter
est Of a speculation.