The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-26

TO START.
Begin Their Work at the National
Capital.
A SEARCHING INVESTIGATION.
This Is What the President Urges of
the Men He 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 Unearthed.
Washington Sept. 26.-The commits
sion appointed by President Mckinley
to Investigate the administration Of the
war department In relation to it's con-
duct Of the Hispano- war be-
gan It's labors formally today. The
commission effected an organization on
Saturday by electing General Grenville
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 Grenville M. Dodge, Of
Iowa; Colonel j. A. Sexton, of Illinois;
Captain f.. =. 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. Med. McCook u. S.
A. Cretired); DR.. Phineas 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-
fidence. He desired also to have rep
resented on the board all phases Of
public and political feeling, every sec
tion of the country and all classes Of
business-profession commercial and
military The men whom lie has ap-
pointed are possessed of wide and va
ried experience, many of them having
served with distinguished honor to
themselves either in the Union or Con-
federate armies. The president feels
assured that the verdict of the COM
mission, whatever it may be, in the
inquiry It is about to conduct, will be
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 1t assembled at
the White House for a conference with
him on Saturday. No limit is placed
investigation. 1t is to include every
department of the army, and the presi-
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
into every part of the administration
of the war.
Addressing the commission the presi-
dent said among other things:
Gentlemen, before suggesting the
matters which shall come before YOU
for investigation, I desire to express
my appreciation to each of you for
your willingness to accept the patri-
otic service to which you have been
invited. You are to perform one Of the
highest public duties that can fall to
a citizen, and your usefulness in un-
dertaking it makes me profoundly
grateful
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
a deep impression upon the country.
L
thoroughly investigate these charges,
and make the fullest examination of
the administration of the war depart
ment in all its branches, with the view
to establishing the truth or falsity 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
subject to your call.
II cannot impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investga-
tion shall be so thorough and complete
that your report, when made, will nix
the responsibility for any failure or
fault, by reason OF neglect, incompe-
tency or maladministration, upon the
offices and bureau responsible therefor
If It be found that the evils COM
| planned of have existed,
1.-THE people of the country are en-
titled to know whether or not the citi-
zens 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
committed, the wrongdoers must not
escape conviction and punishment"
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Leading oyster cafe in town. Served in al
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