Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-09-08

| b'N"'"h .-------.---....
A SHOCKING ARRAY OF FACTS.
Under the above caption o letter
was given out for publication last sun
day, written as IL is stated by star
officer at Camp Thomas, said and gen.
orally acknowledged to be Judge Theo.
Botkin Of this city, which has for ltS
purpose the wlping off of the white.
wash applied by General Boynton TO
the affairs In the hosSltals at Cblca-
manga. The letter 10 as strong 0 de-
nunclatlon as could have been penned
and closes with the following words
addressed to General Boynton; at 10
due to the division, brigade and regl-
mental commanders that Ii be said
they responded nobly TO the cry of
shame and distress that came up from
those hospitals as soon as they became
aware Of the true state Of AFFAIRS but 10
many things they found themselves
powerless. Didyou In making your in
spection seek information from theseY
Did anyone tell you these truthsY--
That man ofthe Fifth Missouri, sick
with the measles was permitted to lie
on the ground without proper atten-
tion until he diedp That one man had
died, and his body was permitted to
remain from thirty to thirty-slx hours
IN close proximity to the sick. That
another man had been neglected 80
long that he became hy-blown, and his
body covered with maggots for hours
before death came to his relief. That
another man was discharged from the
hospital and died soon after returning
to his quarters. That during all the
rainy season there were no floors In
the hospital tents and that sick sold.
iers were compelled to stand in bare
feet upon the damp ground while their
beds we're being changed. That dis.
infectants we're for many weeks not to
be had at all, or In such limited guam
titles as TO be almost useless. That
the location of the Second Division
Hospital, Third Army Corps, is In the
immediate vicinity of the most malar.
ial infected spot In the State Of
Georgia. That regiments against the
protest Of their officers and brigade
division commanders were kept on
camped upon the same spot 80 long
that at last there was no more fresh
ground upon which to dig new sinks.
That for weeks the ranks were 80 ter
rorized by the facts-naked, solid, in
disputable facts-comlng from hos
pitfalls, that scores and hundreds of he
roes have concealed the truth of their
own extreme Illness and have gone on
regular duty rather than be reported
sick and sent to hospitalp"
We understand full we'll the enor-
nous and arduous dnties of the war
department. We understand that un.
der the best management of superior
officers, some subordinates will be
found incompetent or negligent of
duty. But with all this, II just one
half OF what Is reported and appar-
emily supported by good evidence, is
true, then somebody In authority de-.
serves hanging. 1t is In fact the chic
requirement and qualification of a
good executive officer that he locate
such incompetence or negligence In
'ubordlnates and correct it, But Pres.
dent McKinly and the war depart
nent seem to be making no effort-ex-
,ept to conceal their shortcomings.
We are reliably informed that some
If our Reno County boys who have
been home on furlough, will, when
hey have been discharged and recov.
cred their liberty of speech, tell tales