Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-15
A sHAKY COMMISSION.

The President finds it difficult TO obtain
suitable men TO serve upon his commits
sion TO investigate the work OF the several
bureaus Of the War Department. OF the
nine who were named by him only two or
three have accepted.
Well may there be hesitation on the
part of the gentlemen who have been
chosen for this arduous task. AS the Dis
patch has heretofore pointed out, such a
commission would have no power to com
pei witnesses to testify.
Not one Of the civilians who are sup
posed 60 know all about the locating of
death-breeding camps, or of the purchase
OF rotten food or stale medicines, or of
disadvantageous contracts made with
transportation companies, can be made
10 appear before the commission and give
testimony! Nor can army and navy Off
GERS DE relied upon to appear. When they
are informed that it is optional with them
10 say whether they will or will not make
statements that may work injury to bro
fher-ofilcers most of them will beg to be
excused.
so, about the only witnesses that the
commission could count upon would be
those who are anxious to go upon record
In defence Of the War Office.
Ard then where is the money 70 come
from to pay officers and men who may
be needed as witnesses and who may have
10 DO Brought from Cuba, Porto Rico, or
Manila? Are army funds to be used in
that way? We suppose so, for where else
could the large sum needed be obtained?
But would it be right for the President
10 divert those funds TO such a purpose?
Or. II right. would it be proper to put the
government TO a double expense on this
account?
The President, who Was long a member
OF the House of Representatives, must
know that II is as certain as anything In
the future can be that Congress will in
vestigate the conduct OF the war. 1t Is
not presumable that both the House ana
the Senate will ignore the demands OF
duty In the premises. II the President
has his Investigation, and that is followed
try will be put 10 double cost.
We trust the President will realize that
the best thing 10 be done is for HIM to
reconsider his determination TO form a
commission and leave the whole business
in the hands OF Congress.
II is impossible for presidential COM
mission TO satisfy the country. Try rs
he may the President cannot relieve him.
self Of the charge that will come from
some quarter or other that he is forming
a commission TO investigate his own ad-
ministration. Mr.. Alger is the agent of
Mr.. Mckinley and the President would,
to that extent, be a party 10 the invest-
CATION which his own commissioners
would be expected TO make.
go he would better let the matter drop
lie needn't be afraid that there will be
no Investigation. Oh, no. lie may rest
assured that one Of the very first things
that will be done when Congress meets
In December will be the passage of a
resolution b. one house or the other If
not by joint action. providing for
thorough inquiry into the conduct of the
war, and particularly into the misman-
agement Of the War Office.
IL Is yet time for the President TO re-
trace bis steps, and we give him truly
honest advice when we urge him TO drop
'he commission project altogether.