National Republican., 1883-02-16
A STORM CENTER,
Threatening Indications in The Region Of the
Signal Service Bureau.
A Pointed Letter from the Secretary Of
War to the Chief Officer.
A Suggestion that The War Department Can Do its
Own Investigating,
An Interview with Congressman Beltz-
hoover.

Unless appearances are deceptive, Gen. w.
y. Hazen, chief of the signal service bureau,
has put his foot in it again, this timo clean to
the neck. On Wednesday night the press
was given the substance of a letter addressed
by Gen, Hazen to the secretary of war, call
ing upon him to ask the senate to direct tho
president of that body, by resolution, to APP
point committee to investigate the charges
preferred against the writer of the letter by
Representative Beltzhoover, of Pennsylvania,
Oh the floor of the house. AS the informa-
tion did not come from tho secretary of war,
the inference is that it was given to the pub
lie by or through the author In any event,
the secretary was greatly mettled not only by
this apparent breach of courtesy, but by tho
spirit of the letter, and he hastened to reply.
The Hazen letter and the answer were placed
within reach Of the press representatives yes
terday by the secretary of war.
GEN. HAzEN's LETTER
Is as follows:
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1ss3-To THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF WAR--Sir; There was printed
in the Congressional Record on the eighth instant,
speech BY the Hon. Mr., Betzhoover, Of Penn,yl.
Nania, upon the signal service that contained
many statements which, # true, would render
this service unworthy of its present position and
its chief and other officers unfit for the places they
hold, In view Of this iact would respectfully
AK that the president of the senate be requested
BY resolution to appoint committee of its mem
bers to thoroughly investigate the matters alleged
in that speech, nndlauy other matters that any
person may 1T TO bring to its notice relating to
the signal service and to then make n full report
upon the subject investigated, and also a reportas
to what legislation respecting it, II any, they may
think necessary for the best interests OF the coun-
try; and that they have authority to sit during the
recess and to send for persons and papers. am,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brig, and Brevet Mai GEN, Chief signal oniccr
THE SECRETARY OF WAR
yesterday answered this communication as
follows
SIR have the honor to acknowledge tho re-
ceipt of your letter of the fourteenth instant in
which you refer to statements made by the Hon.
Mr.. Bet2hoover, of Pennsylvania, in q speech
printed in the Congressional Record, and ask that
the president of the senate be requested by reso-
luton toappoint committee of its members to
thoroughly investigate the matters alleged in that
speech, and any other matters that any person
may see III to bring to its notice relating to the
/ am unable to consider your request favorably.
am not advised OF a prececent for an application
by the chief of departmental bureau, either di-
rectly or through the head of department, to
one Of the houses of congress for the appoint
Of oficial misconduct made in debate
by member. Your request is, how
9ver subject 10 q still more serious objection,
IN that you wish the senate to appoint commit
mittee TO investigate charges made In debate by q
member of the house Of representatives. The
mere consideration by the senate of your applica-
ton would involve u violation of u general rule of
parliamentary practice, which can be found in
section of Jeiiersons Manual. In speaking of
tue separate branches Of the legislature it is there
said: "They arc, therefore, not to take notice of
any bills or other matters depending, or of votes
that have been given, or of speeches that have
been held, by tue members of either of the other
branches of the legislature until the same have
been communicated to them in the usual par
Namentary manner"
1t is believed that any one of the administrative
departments OF the government Is able to investi-
gate thoroughly charges OF misconduct brought
against the officers. But however that may be,
When the oiicer whose conduct is questioned is
ni officer of the army, 1t would not seem neces.
sary to resort TO tribunals other than those pro-
yided In the articles of war.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, ROBERT LINCOLN,
Secretary of War.
Gen. W. B. HAzES, Chief Signal officer u S. A.
Those who have kept watch of the remark
able controversy Gen. Hazen has involved
himself in by indiscrminate newspaper at
tacks upon everybody who was supposed to
be against him have been aware that Secre-
tary Lincoln has been incenscd almost beyond
measures by the publicity which has attached
to the various phases of the bureau row. He
Is not addicted TO the practice Of doing his
department work through the newspapers,
but he could not well stop lIa2en without the
appearance of mixing in " needlessy. The
very cheeky" letter sent to him by the
general, however, gave him an opportunity to
administer rebuke, and he was not long
doing ii.
1T WAS A MOST EXTRAORDINARY LETTER.
said Secretary Lincoln last evening to "A
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN reporter. 81 am
asked, as secretary of war, to call for I'M in
vestigation of the chief of one Of the bureaus
of my department by u senate committee.
The request in itself is remarkable, and that
it should have been published in advance of
my reply is also very singular proceeding,
ip II M ft.
What do you intend to do, may | in
qurc?"
have not given the matter consideration
yet further than to answer the letter in ques-
ton and cannot say. An officer has right
to demand that an inquiry be made into any
charge OF u grave character which may be
made against him. He can ask this of n
superior officer II Gen, lla2en should ask
Inc to appoint n board of inquiry, aud [
should consider the charges of nature grave
enough to merit an investigation, it would be
lay duty to comply with the request
It i6 not necessary for I'm officer in
the 90. artment to 80 TO congress for an in
Ncstgatlon. lie can be investigated under
the direction of the secretary of war or the
pre- iG,nt. Another mode of inquiry might
be hy court martial, but this is only done
whom charges are formally preferred. I am
not advised that 1t is the intention Of any one
TO prefer charges against Gen. Hazen, |
think You will find that my letter defines my
position fully in this matter"
MIR. BELT2HooyER
was interviewed last evening az have no
personal controversy with Gen. lTa2en," he
said, but shall certainly insist that lie DO
made the subject of official inquiry. Under
the circumstances | do not see how he is going
to honoably get out of it without demanding
an investigation, If he does not not do IL /
will introduce resolution providing for the
appointment Ofa congressional committee to
attend to his cast | will give him ample
time to make up his mind, but if he does not
come to the front like II man by Monday of
next week | shall certainly ask that ho be
investigated on charges OF maadministratiou
and corruption"
"What do yOu think Of movo made by
Gen. HaZeu to get senate committee APP
pointed to investigator
1t looks to me very much like an attempt
TO evade an investigation. II he was in
earnest he would have demanded an inquiry
the day after my speech was published He
has answered none Of the charges, and has
done nothing except to abuse me personally.
/ do not care for that, but he must answer
those charges. His attempt 20 induce the
senate to take up his case is udicrous Of
frontery. That letter TO Secretary Lincoln
was piece of stupid audacity, and / am not
surprised at the way il was treated"