Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-01
IN. Hsrr,a.s H-esrII Of Algerian.

The country should never have been
subjected to the infamous outrage Of
Algsrisn. AIeer should not have been
appointed Secretary of War in the FIRST
place, and vhen his Incompetence
began to be painfully manifest, as gas !
the case Immediately the preparations |
for war bsgnn, he should have been
summarily retired. Mckinley found no
difficulty in dispensing With Secretary
OF Stats Sherman when the latter's
physical and mental incapsrity reached
suon stage that 10 could no longer be
concealed from tbs puhlir. How much
more important it vas that he should
remove smother Incompetent sscrsiaSy,
who's. mismanagemsnt produced more
DISASTROUS results than would have at
tandel poor old Sherman's ccntinuancs
ir the cabinet for century.
1t is said that the President is at
last stirred by the scaudslous storiss
of War Department incompeisnee, and
that court Of inquiry will De held. In
vestigation By Congress- would be hettsr.
| IL uuShb nut We 1illNAAb Apt SUI NCeAs
TO learn the awful facts. Every news
paper Of prominence IN the country has
told the fearful story OF Algesism.
Every command in the army can tell
story of suffering through neglect.
Msu have actually died OF starvation
while In the army service of this rich
and powerful county, and tue recital
of suFerings endured by our troops from
the very first is not only appalling. hut
fisrcsly atirs the blood of every citizen
who reflects upon the wealth Of ths
couutry. the extent OF it's resources. and
the absolute lack of ths slightest reason
why any soldier should hare suffered
a single hour for proper food. proper
drink, or proper attention of whatever
kind mis- wounds or his physical con-
oition might nave demanded.
That awful official marplot, red
tape. is said to be responsible for the
horrible record. but Secretary Alger is
surely responsible for the red tape. he
is said to have remarked. after lis per-
sonsl inspection Of The conditions al
Camp wikua, at Montauk Points
location, by the way. within a fsu
hours railroad journey OF the great city
, of New York, where everything need
full can he procured oil hand-that
, there are many small things uoict
cannot be helped. =" Among thsss
small things. the New York Heralc
, cites the following:
: The medical superintendent himself
/ Lscg of storm proof shelter. Insult
eient number Of c0mretent doctors ant
nurses- Inadequate supply of pufi
water, ice and rsfrigerstors 10 ~hics
to keep ice. milk and perishabls deli
cscies. Lack Of cote, sheets and pillow
, cases. Want OF most ordinary conven
, iences for dyssntesy patients. Lack o
:. cooking arrangements and cooks. I'm
. possibility of obtaining not water viii
. which to battle che sick and wounded
+ Inadequate supply OF good whisky AM
: other nesdful stimulants for hospita
a patients.
|. The idea OF sick soldiers. msn wh
/. risksd their lives 10 the service of th
y country, suffering for "smsli things'
4 of this character, 10 this land of plenty
q ia too sxaspsrating. The wonder j
|. that tbs people have pati6ntly sndurol
/. the outrage so long.
!. The sxpsrisncs of all tie regiment
a sent into the various camps tells I'll
Q same story. OF the Fifth MarylAu
b camp at Tampa, Fla. Is related an 10
10 stance where there was an urgent an
10 Immediate need for fivs barrels OF lin
10 as a diginfecfant. The health Of th
70 soldiers required il. The lime va
10 there, but the otsosrs OF tbs regimsr
II were prohibited from touching il mt
II q vast length OF red tape bad ben
a. used. They had to make rsquisitio
IN and that rsqulsition had to be 70
- warded from officer to officer a
il through tho entirs length Of the ci
r. cumlocution office before s. worth
le lime could be used. It required. SO
is reported, eight days to get tn
a. lime. 1t ID also reported that TWEEN
40 days rations we're dumped at the GU
r. skirts of the camp and left witho
a. protection from the weather TIM eaI
ga of meat and vegetables hurst and Il
an contents became a putrid mass smelIil
tie to heaven and breeding disease. IT.
NO officers Of ths Fifth desired to have
a. removed, but were warned that to
bs would bs personally responsible for d
Iy. whole lot If it was removed bsfo
an being condsnnsd. They endeayored
adj have it condemned and got a hoard
er officials TO inspect IL. hut thst boa
sc. could not condemn il. They cou
-. only recommend lis condemnation
al smother board. 1t took. so it has he
reported, eleven days for this matter
- get through the decentralization oft
n There is no mead to pursue tho sic
~ ering details. These instances of II
~ cradle incapaoity are but represent
a. tiyss OF the rect, while rhe story of |
A, hospitals and of the horrors attendi
Isl tho transportation Of sick and wound
=. soldiers sound like the chronicles OF
age of barbarism.
No longer should Algerism be toll
=. ated. The responsible head OF I
sn partment with such record should
any summasily removed. II President
the Kinley does not act promptly the o
Q ragged sentiment of the country will