Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-10-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Inc AUTHORITIES VI tuc Nubiohoi tuu
scum are preparing to send an agent tc
Cuba and Porto Rico to make collection
OF mementoes of the war. Among other
things, the Museum plans 10 secure
models of the different classes OF vessels
engaged in the naval operations.
Some of you have been to Omaha. no
doubt, and have seen the models on ex-
hibition there These reproduce every
detail in miniature, am told, down to
the smallest parts of the guns. A II odel
from the original plans is made here IN
Washington Navy Yard, to represent
each class of vessel. They are on scale
of one-fourth inch to the foot and cost
from $4,000 to $4,000, so that when you
were looking at these toy-like models
you saw what represented comfortable
bunch of money.
Col. w. j. Bryan has been in the city
for several days in an effort with the aid
OF Governor Holcomb to have his regi-
ment mustered out. 1t is thought,
however, that the War Department has
become weary of granting special dis
pensations and favors to these troops in
order to avoid any appearance OF
partizanship, and that Col. Bryan and
his silver boys will have to keep on
wearing Uncle SANS livery the
Col. cares to resign.
He has. however, had a very tlattering
reception here and been the recipient of
many compliments because of the fine
appearance he makes in Uniform. His
party friends desire very much that he
be in position to take part in this cam
paign. In his present position he can
not well do this. He found time while
here to privately consult with number
Of the leaders of his party and receive
the greetings of a number of friends. II
any one thinks free silver cold and
clammy political corpse, he is sadly mis-.
taken. And if anyone thinks Mr.. Bryan
friendless and forgotten in this section
of the Union, he is laboring under a
painful delusion. The silver issue is
very much alive and unless the electors
this fall give it decided coup, it will
undoubtedly have to be met and fought
over again in 1900. 1t stands therepub-
licans in hand to shake out the kinks
and do business.
Saturday the commission to investi
gate the conduct of the war department
had meeting and organized by electlng
Gen. c. NJ Dodge, of Iowa, chairman
and selecting the necessary clerical help.
A conference was had with the presi-
dent who expressed his views Of the
nature of the investigation and the scope
it should take and gave the members
assurance of his support and CO.
operation. He also asked TO have his
personal attention called to any difficulty
in tie way Of securing evidence or wit.
pesses and said he would DO all in his
power 10 overcome such difficulty. 1t
is now known that Gen. Alger requested
this investigation, largely because of the
charges so freely made in the sensational
journals, The whole conduct OF the war
and organization Of the army will prob
ably be gone into. although the medical
commissary and quartermasters depart
mentS are the ones of which most
complaint has been made 1t is prob
able that, while mistakes have been
made, as could be expected from the
enormous task, and that there has been
needless suffering in places and at times,
most Of the stories will be found TO be
onia par with and aboutAas true as the
glowing accounts of the sterling patriot
ism and immaculate character of the
Cuban insurgents. A sad experience
dispelled this erchantment. but il will
be happy relief if this investigation
shows the horrible stories of mismauage-
ment, neglect aud brutality 10 be
equally false.
During the last session of congress
the Republicans endeavored to secure a
number Of changes and Improvements in
the methods Of organization, which time
has demonstrated would have been for
good, but where ever they could, the
Bailey band Of democrats blocked the
way Mr. Hull labored faithfully TO Sc
cure the consideration of several bills
the passage Of which was thought to be
required for the safety and comfort OF
our soldiers and the energetic, economi.
cal conduct of the war, but democratic
and populistic opposition hampered, de.
layed and defeated his most persistent
efforts and well meant desires.