Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-09-17
THE PRESIDENTS VIEW.
A Thorough Investigation TO be rlade
of the Conduct OF the War The
Peace Commissioners Sail
TODAY
From Our Regular Correspondent

NEfVo Vot hNANhtt NFAftSfthANhNf
WASHINGTON, Sept. President
Mckinley does not believe that the
war was badly managed. On the con-
trary he knows that il was as a whole,
we'll managed--so we'll managed as to
surprise the world by the results ac-
complished in an incredita oly short
time. He has no idea that the most
thorough investigation of the conduct
of the war will uncover any mysteri-
Gus evil or that it is necessary to find
a scare. goat for some great wrong.
But he does believe that a digniiied,
dispassionate and scientific inquiry,
made by men of broad minds and ac-
plishments, will be valuable in
showing up weak spots in our present
system of running the quartermaster,
commissary and medical departments
of the army--a system intrenched in
laws that right or wrong, under ex-
listing conditions, must be carried out
until the laws are changed In other
words, that thorough inquiry will
result in pointing out the changes
that should be made to improve the
system 1t was because Of this belief
that President Mckinley concluded to
order the inquiry made that, was re-
quested by Secretary Alger. The
Com mission entrusted with the duty
of making this inquiry, will be com.
posed of men who are widely known
and whose findings will be accepted
by the entire country. +. Generals
Miles and Shafter, who are both in
Washington, say they will welcome
the closest scrutiny OF their every act,
and the same sentiments are expressed
by Sergt. Gen. Sternberg, and Gen.
Eagan, head of the Commissary De-
partment. The latter is so confident
that his department is all right that
he says he wishes the President would
have the inquiry made entirely by his
political opponents.
| Owing to the rapidity with which
money is accommodating in the Treas
ury, Secretary Gage has notified the
holders of the old CURRENCY. skies,
which will be payable January next,
of his willingness to redeem them
whenever presented. There are about
$I4, ooo 600 outstanding in these
bonds. He has also offered to antici-
pate the October interest on the four
per cent bonds. 1t will be the spec
ial aim OF Secretary Gage to see that
the money is got back into circulation
fast enough to prevent any disturb
ance in business circles.
Gov. Shaw. OF Iowa, came TO Wash
iugton to see about getting the vol
unteers from his state mustered out,
but the matter had been. determined
before his arrival, by the decision of
the War Department to muster out
one-half of the troops from each state.
In reply to question as to the politi-
cal outlook in his state, Gov. Shaw,
said "The political situation in Iowa
is about as satisfactory to the Repub-
licans as they could wish. An cleo
ton is to be held in November for
State Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney
General, and two members of the
Supreme Court, and the verdict will
be in favor of the Republican ticket
by rousing majority. Our State
Convention this year adopted about
the most emphatic sound money
plank that has been promulgated any
where" Representative Cousins, who
was with Gov. Shaw, said the state
would send solid Republican Con-
gressional delegation, as matter of
course.
Commissioner Evans has issued
statement in answer to the charge
made by Kansas Populists, that his
administration of the Pension Bureau
was harsh and unjust. He shows that
the average number OF pensions al
lowed under him has been much
higher than under his predecessor,
and the average number of reflections
much lower, a showing which would
not be possible If the charge was true.
One source Of grumbling has been
that Commissioner Evans has, from
the day he assumed Office, given ap-
plication for original pensions pre-
cedence over applications for an in
crease, on the ground that those who
had no nauSiot1 ehot,1d he xx,a;fad ,,,o,,