Washington sentinel., 1898-12-10
WHY We Should Have a Congress
stOnAl Investigation.

WHY We Should Have a Congress
siOnal Investigation.
1t is evident that the present
session oil Congress will inau-
gurate an era Of Investigation
Charges affecting the conduct oi
the war itself. accusations against
various departments and by name
against sundry officials intrusted
with responsible duties, accumu-
late. The Democratic party should
have sought to make more politi-
ical capital out of these charges,
and right there is where our Dem
ocratic National Committee made
its mistake. We know that deep
down in the hearts OF our people
there always abides a sentiment
in favor OF fair play. Although the
public prefers to wait the result Of
official inquiry before rendering its
verdict, it will not stand for this
whitewashing process Of the pres
ent Alger Relief Commission.
They have the right TO insist, and
~ insist, upon rigid Congress
sional investigation OF every
charge worthy of consideration.
The duty Of Congress is obvious,
and we have no doubt that at least
Leader Bailey and all his Demo-
cratic associates will contribute
their services to make the investi
cation entirely satisfactory. (Mr.
Bailey sta IDS on the Democratic
platform, and his position on the
annexation and other questions,
in spite of the mean calumnies of
the New York T0nyNaL and other
misleading undemocratic sheets,
is the correct and proper one.)
Among these accusations is
more than one in regard 70 army /
and navy contracts. For some
reason not clearly understood, the
very responsible and exacting task
of leasing and buying transports
and other vessels required for the
use of the Government was CON-
mitted, not to army and navy off
GERS, upon whom such a duty
would naturally devolve, but to an
individual called from the ranks of
private lite and entrusted with the
expenditure of millions OF dollars.
The transport service was probably
one Of the worst that has been crit
icised. 1t is said that transports
were purchased and rented at the
most exorbitant prices; that in
some instances steamers which
were claimed to have a speed OF
sixteen or twenty knots, and which
were bought on that basis, while
the troops were never
able to exceed thirteen knots; that
these steamers were hired at ex-
travagant rates per diem, but were
not placed under the command OF
naval officers, and that their COM
manders deliberately planned to
delay their voyages so as to extend
the period OF the lease to the ut
most. The history Of the score OF
transports which went 10 the Phil
ippines was most discreditable to
those who were responsible for the
Iul6lment OF their contracts, and
he owners Of comparatively worth
ess vessels readily got rid of their
property by selling il to the Gov
rnment at extraordinary prices. !
These charges are of such a nature ;
hat a rigid investigation is de-
And the end is not yet, !:
or it is said that an organized
:abal Of politicians long since :
damned to secure from the Gov =
.rnment concessions and contracts :
n our new possessions that will
,ield to the favored ones enormous
Nothing would be so de-
itructive OF the success of this Ad- !
as failure to prove the l.
innocence Of those who have been
lnjustlv charged with guilt, and
o prove the guilt Of those who are
esponsible for squandering public !
or for needlessly sacriie-
ng noble lives.
AN American girl who married q
title has written book warning q
Ter fellow countrywomen against Q