The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-08-13
The War Department.

Department was withheld as long as there
was any danger that such criticism might
give aid and comfort to the enemy; but
now that peace is within sight, patriotic
purposes can best be served by thorough
exposure of the incapacity of the Secretary
OF War and the great injury he has done
the army by permitting personal and po-
lltical favorities to guide his administration
of the Office Secretary Alger is respon-
sible for the breaking down of the com
mlssary, quartermasters and medical
branches Of the service, simply because he
is at the head of the department, and has
been entrusted with autOcratic power; but
he is directly and personally responsible,
because the breakdown has been due to
the appointments he has made Of incom-
petent or at least inexperienced men-ap-
pointments suggested not by consideration
of the good of the service, but to please
his personal friends, or to secure the sup
port of influential politicians.
The nation gave the President undivided
support and all the money asked for; he
in turn trusted the Secretary Of War i'm
plicitly, and the nation and the President
have been obliged to witness the squand
ering of money, the mismangement OF the
bureaus upon which the health and COM
fort of the troops depend; the subordi
nation of military purposes to the demands
of politicians, and the organization of an
expedition to give a holiday jaunt to one
set of troops while another set suffering
from fevers awaits transportation to the
North. The man primarily responsible for
all the mismanagement and indirectly for
great suffering and loss of life is Secretary
Alger, and the President should not only
recognize the fact, but act upon that recog-
milton. If he should not do so, Congress
will surely make an investigation, for
Congress represents the people, who are
Justly indignant when they find the brave
men, who fought their battles, grossly
neglected without the excuse Of lack OF
means to help them. Even military sue
cess cannot wipe out the disgraceful stain
attached to the War Department by reason
of its gross mismanagement.
With the exception of Acting Admiral
Sampson all the naval officers who have
reported on the various episodes Of the
war with Spain have been lavish with their
praise for the officers and men under them,
and have recommended them for suitable
rewards by name whenever practicable. 1t
is certain that these recommendations are
deserved, and that virtually all who have
had chance to show courage and ability,
whether officers or privates, have done 50;
but it is manifestly impossible to reward
them all with promotion, or in any other
substantial way. In fact, the system OF
promotion in our navy works injustice
when gallant officer receives special rank,
as it necessarily denotes those under him,
who may be his equals in every way and
just as much entitled to the place that is
given him over their heads How to re-
ward brave men without virtually punish
ing others equally brave is perplexing
problem, and Secretary Long has wisely
decided to appoint special board for the
purpose of considering each case on its
merits. Perhaps, in the end, it will
be found that the method adopted
in England and France is the best way
of acknowledging merit. This is the con-
ferring of special distinction like the
Victoria Cross Or the ribbon of the Legion
of Honor, distinction which can be con-
ferred on any desired number without I'M
pugning the rights of any others, and es-
pecially of those already entitled to it.
1t was not three months ago, at the be-
ginning the war, when more or less con-
fusion and delay in transportation were to
be expected; neither was it at Santiago or
some other out of the way place where our
troops have become used to hardships; but
it was within less than a week ago and
within seven miles of Washington that a
Ledger" correspondent found the condi-
ton of things described in the letter from
Camp Alger, printed yesterday-"the ra
ton for breakfast, dinner and supper
was three slices of bread and a pint of
coffee, without milk. This luxurious
bill of fare lasted for four days, except that
on the third day the sugar gave out, and
then it was ''coffee straight And all
this time thousands of rations were lying in
Chicago, packed, tagged and ready for in
slant shi pment as soon as the War Depart
ment gave the word Why did not the
War Department give the word
From the Philadelphia Ledger. August $.
The War Department has profted by
the criticism to which it has been subject
ed, as well as by General Miles thorough
knowledge of his business. The Porto
Rico campaign is being conducted in very
different way from that at Santiago.
There has not been single complaint
about the way Miles expedition is being
conducted. He keeps his artillery with
him, sees that his men are well supplied
with food, medicine and ammunition, and
runs no such risks of failure for want of
absolute essentials as Shafter did at San
tiago. One great part of the difference is due
to the fact that Miles looks after the quar-
termaster's and commissary departments
himself, instead of trusting them to mex
perienced subordinates appointed for polit-
teal reasons And this is the man whom
Secretary Alger tried hard to keep cooped
up in Washington, instead of letting him
take the field.