National Republican., 1883-02-20
A GATHERING STORM.
More Indications Of Trouble in the Region Of
the Weather Bureau.
Gen. Hazen Explains Why He Wants the
Senate to Investigate Him,
And Secretary Lincoln Replies that Hs Gan Gel
Justice Nearer Home,
Hut the General Inslsts-And the End is
Not Yet,

The following Is the later correspondence
between Gen. Hazen and the secretary Of war
in reference to Gen. Hazens request that
senate committee be appointed to investigate
the signal service bureau:
THE GENERAL TO THE SECRETARY.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, WASHING.
TON CITY, Feb. 16, 1eS3-To THE HONORABLE THE
SECRETARY OF WARE ! have the honor 70 ac.
knowledge the receipt OF your communication OF
the ih instant in reply TO mine Of the ionFSeensn, S
quested by resolution to appoint committee CT
lis members TO thoroughly investigate the affairs
retary ask for senate resolution providing for
an investigation Of certain allegations that have
been made against my administration Of the
aud my bureau. If thought that the
desired end could be obtained by court
senate, Ishould ask for that ask for a committe
Of the senate instead Of committee OF the house
of representatives, because the house OF repre-;
sentatives expires on the fourth Of March and
Will not have time TO make the proposed inVesl.
CATION. 1t may be- as the secretary suggests, that
the senate cannot investigate allegations made in
the other house of CONGRESS, but there can be no
doubt the power of the senate to investigate,
generally, bureau concerning which II proposes
To legislato. II is respectfully suggested that
court of inquiry cannot report concerning legisla-
| tion. As the secretary knows, bill Is on the
calendar Of the senate providing for an organiza;
| investigation and fair discussion OF the merits
OF the measure will result in its enactment;
read hts annual report correctly, embodies the
| views of the secretary IL provides for the trans
fer OF The bureau TO the Interior dePartaaehh. ~;
| law with the care of the signal service and with
| its meteorological work. l believe that the SER
vice ought 10 continue to do the weather work,
and am willing and anxious that congress shall
examine the question to the bottom; There Is
nothing here that I want to conceal; there Is
nothing, believe, that any officer OF the service
desires To hide. Charges have been made to the
country through the public press against 2
desire, and assume that the secretary also de
| sres, that the country shall know the whole
truth. A court of inquiry cannot SO well inform
| the country-and, more than that. such O court
| 01ects public opinion against one who is under
charges. know that have done nothing wrong
in aid Of the legislation which 1 think proper
but know also that much wrong has been done
to me and to the service by our enemies in orpo:
sition to that proposed legislation. 1t has seemed
hsvo congressional investigation; that
the question, Of the retention Or, or non,
the war department shall be met squarely and
that the bureau be driven out because 1t ought TO
be, aud not pushed out by indrection. look to
the secretary OF war for his support in my desire
/ feel sure that he is willing to do my bureau
simple justice and that he too desires that It's
my request for this investigation, made us II was
through the secretary, was without precedent, but
was at least courteous. desire TO say that
| informed the Associated Press of the fact of my
application TO the secretary, because 1supposed,
as matter Of course, that there would
| be no objection to my asking an In
quiry into the administration of my
bureau by body having its affairs under con-
slderatiOn. / again renew my request that the
senate be asked TO appoint Il committee to inveti-
gate the administration of this bureau, ana its
proper status iu the public service: and that any
committee that may be appointed have power tC
send for persons and papers. In view of the pub
liCatOn of the two letters preceding this, one Il
the secretary from me dated Feb. a. 1885, and an
'other from the secretary to dated Feb. l5 1888
I respectfully ask that this letter be given to the
press.
am. very respectfully. your obedlent servant,
| w. Is. HAzEN,
Brgader and Brevet Major General, Chief Signal
nal Officer, u. s. A.