The state herald., 1898-09-30
WILL INVESTIGATE.
THE COMMISSION IS. READY
It Is Composed of Representative Men
The Presidents Instructions to Thsm.

Washington. Sept. 25.-The commits
sion appointed by President Mckinley
to investigate the administration Of
the War Department in relation to Its
conduct of the Hispano-American war
will begin Its llabors formally to-mor-
row.
The commission consists of Major
General Granville NJ. Dodge Of Iowa,
Colonel ]. A. Sexton of Illinois, Cap
tain Il. +. Howell Of Georgia, Major
General j. NJ. Wilson, chief Of engi-
neers Of the United States army, Hon.
Charles Denby OF Indiana, late minis
ter to China; Ex-Governor Urban A.
Woodbury. of Vermont, Ex-Governor
James A. Beaver of Pennsylvania, Ma
jor General II. McD. McCook Of the
army (retlred) and Or. Connor Of Gin
cinnati.
The commission effected an organi-
zation yesterday by electing General
Granville NJ. Dodge president, Mr..
Richard Weightmnn secretary and Ma
jor Stephen G. Mills OF the regular
army recorder. The President is un-
derstood to be pleased with the per-
sOnnel OF the committee. II was his
effort to secure us members OF the
commission men of the highest char
ncter and standing In whose opinions
md Judgment the country would have
all confidence. He desired, also. to
have represented on the board all
phases of public and political feeling,
every section of the country and all
classes of business, professional, com
merclal and military.
The men whom he has appointed are
possessed of wide and varied expert
ence, many Of them having served with
distinguished honor to themselves eth
er in the Union or Confederate armies.
The President feels assured that the
verdict of the commission, whatever
that may be, In the inquiry 1t Is about
to conduct, will be accepted and ap-
proved by all right minded and right
thinking American citizens.
That II Is the Presidents desire that
the inquiry should be rigid and search
Ing was indicated by his statement to
the commission when it assembled ut
the White House for conference with
him yesterday. No limit is placed by
the President upon the scope of the in
vestlgation. II is 10 include every de-
partment of the army. and the Prcsi-
dent assures the commission In ad-
vance that he will afford II every facil-
ity in his power for the prosecution OF
the most searching inquiry into every
part of the administration Of the war.
In addressing the commission the Pres
ident said, among other things:
"Gentlemen-Before suggesting the
matters which shall come before you
for investigation, desire To express
my appreciation to each of you for
your willingness TO accept the patriotic
service TO which you have been invited.
You are to perform one Of the high
est public duties that can fall To Il
citizen: and your unseliishness In un-
dertaklng 1t makes me profoundly
grateful.
There has been in many quarters
severe citicism OF the conduct OF the
war with Spain. Charges OF criminal
neglect OF the soldiers In camp and
field and hospital and In transports
have been so persistent that, whether
true or false, they have made deep
impression upon the country. II is my
earnest desire that you shall thorough
- "'''iiGhi' 'h'N' 'hiiEtS anu HlNht
the fullest exposition OF the admins
tration OF the War Department In all
of its branches. with the view to estab
fishing the truth or falsity of these ac-
cusations.
Il put upon you no limit to the scope
or your Investigation. or nll depart
ments connected with the army. I In
vite the closest scrutiny and examina-
tion and shall afford every facility for
the most searching inquiry. The rec
ords OF the War Department and the
assistance OF It's officers shall be sub
Ject to your call.
Il cannot Impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investiga-
tlon shall be 30 thorough and complete
that your report when made will FIX
the responsibility for any failure or
fault by reason OF neglect. incompe-
tency or maladmlnistratlon upon the
officers and bureaus responsible there.
for-if II be found TINT the evils com
planned OF have existed.
''Thc people OF the country are enti.
tied TO know whether or not the citi.
zens who 30 promptly responded to the
call OF duty have been neglected or
misucd or maltreatcd by the govern
ment TO which they so willingly gave
their services. II there have been
wrongs committed. the wrong .doers
must not escape conviction and pun.
ishmcnt."