The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-26
{ WAR INVESTIGATORS
Begin Their Work at the National
Capital.
A SEARCHING INVESTIGATION.
This Is What the President Urges OF
the Men lie Has Selected For That
DUTY, That Punishment May Follow
Any Cases of Neglect Unearthed.

the Men He Has Selected For That
Duty, That Punishment May Follow
Any Cases Of Neglect Uncarthed.
Washington, Sept. 26.-The commits
sion appointed by President Mckinley
TO investigate the administration of the
war department in relation to its con-
duct of the Hispano-American war be-
gan its labors formally today. The
commission effected an organization on
Saturday by electing General Grenviile
M. Dodge president. Mr.. Richard
Weightman secretary and Major Ste
phen c. Mills. of the regular army,
recorder.
The full commission is as follows:
Major General Grenvile NJ Dodge, of
Iowa; Colonel j. A. Sexton, of Illinois;
Captain e. p. Howell, Of Georgia.; Ma
jor General j. W. Wilson, chief of en-
gineers of the United States army;
Charles DENLY. of Indiana, late min
lister to China; Ex-Governor Urban A.
Woodbury.. of Vermont: Ex-Governor
James A. Beaver of Pennsylvania;
Major General A. McD. McCook. U. $.
"A. (retired); DR.. Phneas S. Conner. Of
Cincinnati.
The president is understood to be
thoroughly pleased with the personnel
of the commission. 1t was his effort
to secure as members of the COM
mission men of the high character and
standing In whose opinions and judG-
ment the country would have all con-
didence. He desired also to have rep
resented on the board all phases Of
public and political feeling. every seq
ton of the country and all classes Of
buslness-professional commercial and
military. The men whom lie has ap-
pointed are possessed of wide and va
Tied experience, many of them having
served with distinguished honor to
themselves either in the Unon or Con-
federate armies. The president feels
assured that the verdict of the com
mission, whatever it may be, in the
Enquiry 1t Is about to conduct. will he
accepted and approved by all right
minded and right thinking American
citizens.
That it is the presidents desire that
the inquiry should be rigid and search
ing was indicated by his statement to
the commission when it assembled at
the White House for a conference with
him on Saturday. No limit is placed
by the president upon the scope of the
Investigation. 1t is to include every
department of the army. and the prcsi-
dent assures the commission in ad-
vance that he will afford every fa-
Cility in his power for the prosecution
of the most searching inquiry into
lnto every part of the administration
of the war.
Addressing the commission the presi-
0ent said, among other things:
, "Gentlemen, before suggesting the
matters which shall come before you
for investigation, l desire to express
my appreciation to each of you for
your Willingness to accept the patri-
Otic service to which you have been
lnvited. You are TO perform one Of The
highest public duties that can fall to
a citizen, and your usefulness in un-
dertaking 1t makes me profoundly
grateful
4 "There has been in many quarters
severe criticism of the conduct of the
War with Spain. Charges of criminal
neglect of the soldiers in camp and in
the field and hospital and in the trans
ports have been so persistent that,
whether true or false, they have made
q deep impression upon the country.
1t Is my earnest desire that you shall
thoroughly Investigate these charges.
and make the fullest examination of
the administration of the war depart
tnent in all its branches. with the view
TO establishing the truth or falsty Of
these accusations. l put upon you no
limit to the scope of your investigation.
OF all departments connected with the
army invite the closest scrutiny and
examination. and shall afford every
Facility for the most searching inquiry.
The records Of the war department and
the assistance of Its officers shall be
subject to your call
II cannot impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investiga-
tisn shall be so thorough and complete
that your report, when made, will fix
the responsibility for any failure or
fault, by reason Of neglect, incompe-
eency or maladministration upon the
Offices and bureau responsible therefor |
ii 1t be found that the evils COM
pIained of have existed.
! 'The people of the country are en-
titled to know whether or not the citi-
sens who so promptly responded to the |
call of duty have been neglected or mis- |
used or maltreated by the government |
to which they SO willingly gave their |
services. If there have been WRONGS |
the wrongdoers must not
escape conviction and punishment"