The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-10
ATTEND TO YOUR BETTER M
pIISFS. MIR. NiKINLEN.

At last the coal of fire has burned into
The terrapin's back until 1t has made him
move Secretary Aleer has requested the
President to order an Interrogation of the
War department. and the gentleman gem
erallv supposed 70 be second devil Adju-
tant-General Corbn. has Joined in the
request.
No well vlsher Of Mr Mckinley. and
re has many millions of them, will hope
mat he will ignore or refuse this request
Whether the War Department has been
incompetently or corrupuy administered
or not the people have been made 10
believe that one and perhaps both oondi-
,ions exist. The people are tho masters
in this country. and the people ought 70
have a fun exhibit OF the case made to
them. II there is nothing there. all the
excitement will come 10 an instant end
ing. But though nothing is there. II no
investigation is made, tho undercurrent
vii continue 10 DOW. and 1T will finally
overwhelm all that are within its reach.
innocent and guilty being swallowed mp
together.
Mr.. MCKINLEY has been beset by ad-
visers. who have told him that many
Of the charges against the War Depart
ment were false. as he himself knew, and
that he should not dignity these charges
by ordering an Investigation into them.
But these are very poor advisers. A lie
well told and persistently stuck to will
.rfrql
could do. The injury TO be done by the
lie is certain. therefore. the consideration
against exposing II nothing but a matter
Of pride. Pride and dignity are matters
- be thrown 20 the wind when the
question is Of informing the people Of
what concerns their nearest interests
and In matters respecting which they
have a right 10 be informed. MIR. Nc
Kinley viii make the colossal blunder
Of his career If he fails TO order this
Investigation. II there is nothing 10 be
investigated the people will be made con-
tent II the authority and resources Of
the Government have been nrostituted
the guilty parties will be brought to JUS
tice.
And in ordering the in estigation the
President must take care that IL is a
real Investigation. lie must put upon
the investigating board men only in whose
character and judgment the people have
confidence The matter had better be
left as 1t Is than that there should be a
sham and whItewashing investigation.
IL aT.L fVf fb.V.
upon his investigating committee men
only who are trusted by the people, and
he must arrange that their enquiries shall
be made In the open day before the whole
public. Their sessions should be open
20 all. they should be directed 10 explore
every transaction that was questioned,
and the testimony Of witnesses should be
given in public, that It may be all re-
ported to and read by the people. Let
US have no Dreyfus trial-no Bordeaux
or Esterhazys and secret examinations.
Let it all take place in the open day, and
before all OF the American people. There
are no concealments 90 be made from
them. The War Department as we'll as
any other department OF the Government
Is their department. and they have right
20 know all that goes on IN any OF them
Come. Mr.. Mckinley. yield TO your bet
ter impulses and deal with the American
people. not as a diplomat. but as com
Fade- They are kindly disposed towards
you. and they believe you have an honest
heart and an anectionate disposition
Meet them as man OF this sort IS
naturally disposed to treat his associates.
and you will gather crop Of confidence
that will grow into affection. which will
be worth more to you than all the
eervility OF all the politicians ever can
be 10 you.