The times., 1898-06-06

gret at the step they have taken. 1t isn't
because of the necessary hardships incl
dent to war, or on account of the dis
cipline required to fit one for effective
service. 1t is simply because of the
shameful neglect and disregard of the
primary conditions of deceney and health.
The Question of Food.
Again, we owe it to those soldiers to
see that they are properly fed, and we
owe it to ourselves to see that they get
the food we abundantly provide.
The same physician who testified In re-
gard to the cesspoois learned that there
was great complaint in some quarters in
regard to the food. In one company some
OF the men had their rations carried to
the colonel that he might see the sort of
ciet they were expected to do duty on.
The, colonel summoned the responsible
party and demanded an explanation of
the meagerness of the allowance Ii
turned out that the order for provisions
was ample. but the thrifty official through
whose hands it passed disposed of the
larger portion and put the proceeds in his
own pocket.
If there is any offense for which 1
would nave man court-maritaled and
shot it is this
Dishonesty and exploitation are always
hideous elsewhere as they do in robbing
the men who are fighting our battles"
Ihe speaker then read extracts from
press dispatches to show that this condi-
flon of affairs is not confined to Camp AL
ger alone, but is also said to prevail at
Chickamauga and continued
This consuming greed which disregards
every consideration of right and justice,
and even uses the garb OF patriotism and
plety under cover of which to hide the
lniquity and enOrmity of its reasonable
schemes; this is the social cancer which
mas spread its deadly root through every
part OF the national organism, and threat
ems today the national life Unless we can
XIII this, and put in It's place a kindly hu-
man interest in each other. all our fight
ing in behalf of liberty will be vain II is
not TO be wondered at that suffers and
contractors and officials of minor grades
conspire to defraud the common soldier
Men high in place, both in church and
state, have set the pace. These small fell
lows are only doing their best to keep in
the procession. They don't want TO get
left. and now is their chance Many of
these men have had their training for this
sort Of business in politics. and they count
on the dirty work they did there for some
OF the big fellows to protect them against
ana very serious consequences in their
present ventures.
The wide prevalence of this spirit in
what we call the world Of business is the
nations greatest peril.
The Military Leaders.
Again we owe these soldiers competent
leadership. 1t is simply murder 10 put
them in the hands of men who are known
TO be deficient in the qualities requisite for
such a task. What business have birth
or breeding or money TO weigh feather
in matter Of this sort? Not any. Men
should come into office in the army only
on evidence of peculiar fitness bv CONNIE
alton in service, not by competition of
pull The only thing that should count
IS fttness-determlned by the best and
fairest methods known and with an eve
single to the efficiency of the service. You
cannot expect soldiers to be at their best.
when they are inwa rdly chatting under a
sense on the incompetency and asininity
OF tneir superiors in command but their
interiors in knowledge and ability.
But We owe our soldiers something more
than competency, or capability in their
leaders. We owe them sobriety. trust
worthiness Many battle was lost in the
civil war, 1t is said. through the drunken
OF the commanding officer | do
not mean through his inability TO be on
the field. This would often be an advan-
taSe' FOR the responsibility would then
fall on another and possibly on one more
capable of discharglng it. BUT most men.
perhaps. when under the influence of IL
quor. grow opinionated and obstinate and
incapable OF recognizing all the facts Of
the situation long before they lose the
power 10 ride horse or issue orders.
lnere is need of careful and wise su-
perYlsion in this matter throughout our
entire army. Our soldiers are entitled to
DTDfRrflHn Fn1I 1
and pig-headedness of intoxicated lead
ers or commanders
Further they ought as far as possible
TO have the selection of their command
ing officers. At least, men should not
nave officers placed over them who are.
Tor any reason. obnoxious to them.
II the feeling has no other root than
false prejudice it may not matter. for a
worthy officer will soon be able to remove
such prejudice; but if it has real ground
IN the arrogance or tyranny or incompe-
tency of the men, then there is little
chance Of any real coming together
ii was a matter of regret to many
w Nashington people that their bows had
TO go out under a colonel for whom MANY
Of them cherished a positive dislike II
remains to be seen whether he will so
pear himself toward them as to win their
confidence and respect, and so command
not only their ready but their hearty and
theerfui obedience. We hope that he will
Hy al accounts he has one of the finest
regiments in the force. 1t will not be
wholly their fault If they do not give a
good account of themselves in every way
Morale of the Troops.
Again, we should see that the soldiers
are comfortably and beautifully clothed
suitably for the climate in which they are
salled to fight or camp. Further they
should be promptly paid, and the money
n which they are paid should be as good
IS that which the bondhoIder gets as in
crest on his loan, or as that which the
Government asks in payment of import
iuties.
The soldier should be protected against
ne eXtortion practiced upon him by the |
iaFpleS VINO follow the camp for profit,
whether they deal in liquors or LETTER na
'er The soldier should be able IN rot Oh
hings that he really needs at the Lowest
,rice. e''
1hese young men who have so pronnt
y responded TO their countrv's cali arc
iery largely the brightest and hest of
ne nation. We should so care for them
every way. while engaged in this peril |
'us and arduous duty, that their love of
ountry and humanity will be auickeued |
md deepened by the experience through
which they pass.
impressions of the camp are extremely |
aVorable in regard to the general morale
intelligence, order. inven ion. show the |
presence OF mind. alert. active and cana |
lie of great things. We have thousands |
II Hobsons in the army as well as in |
he navy; men who are capable of ris- |
ng 10 any emergency and meeting the |
iced in the shortest and simplest way. |
he act of our young officer at Santiago |
will give new meaning to Hobson's |
hoice, as well as a fresh impetus to |
eroic action all along the line.
" 1t is pleasant to note, too, as our pa