The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-12
OUR SICK SOLDIERS.
Timely Sermon by Rev. E. ]. Root
IN ElmwoOd Temple.
Spoils System the Source OF All EVIL IN
our Political System.

At the Elmwood temple last evening
Rev. E. II. Root preached TO large
audience on Our Sick Soldiers. or the
Worst Foe of our NationS' and his
very interesting discourse was most
closely followed. and IL was evident
that his hearers were I'm close sympathy
with the Views so clearly expressed by
Mr. Root. who said i'm substance that
these soldiers that had gone to the front
had been selected by test of physical
condition and was the best army ma
terial ever seen.
These same men who performed deeds
of valor by main strength. these rugged
soldiers are now pale. feeble, emaciated
by exposure, disease and starvation.
Was there no food in America, no medi-
cine, no skilled physicians, no rooms
no nurses, no sanitary science, no ad-
ministrative talent competent TO fore
sec and provide against emergencies
and give the soldier every possible safe-
guard? OF these we have boasted. let
i'm Just these things have we failed. NOT
only in Cuba. which was known 10 pe
hotbed OF disease, but in our own coun-
try camps have been unwisely located
and have lacked proper sanitary care
WHY this mismanagement? The natlon
is asking and will ask with increasing
indignation until those who neglect or
incompetence is responsible are discoV-
cred and feel the public wrath.
Evidently the careless, incompetent
officer OF the volunteer army and IN
competent officials I'm the medical ana
commissary departments. making all
due allowance for exaggeration, ana l
~ hnon In6ntl Dt ed
ly criminal neglect and stupidity. But
how has IL happened that incompetent
men have been appointed? Simply De-
cause I'm accordance with the worst
tradition Of our political life, men have
been commissioned not because OF tnelr
fitness, but for political reasons and py
social influence. What is Gen. Alger
defence? Did we have incompetent
men in the commissarv and quarter
masters departments? Yes. but who put
them there? Alger was but the cats
paw for hungry politicians. he can
say that congressman. governors, pos
sibly the president. demanded the APP
pointment of civilians and beardiess
youths TO posts Of responsibility.
Public attention and INDIGNATION are
now thoroughly aroused. and IL Is NOT a
political. but moral question. and the
pulpit may and must explain clearly
the bearing OF the teachings or CHRIST.
The spoils system assures that othces
are for the benefit of the office holder:
that offices are the legitimate spoils OF
party victory. 10 be distributed. not ac-
according TO fitness, but according to
marty services. Mr.. Root then said:
IT solemnly indict the spoils sy~teni
as the source of evils Of the American
political life. 1t Is the cause or the
failure OF our municipal government.
The Tammany rule Is sample. Our
new acquisition will see the same spoils
system in vogue. and IL the United
States should attempt to hold Porto
Rico and the Philippines in some wav
making official appointments. then Is
the foothold OF our party politics. the
failure OF our colonial administration
our shame. degeneration and ultimate
ruin assured"