The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-26

That .the president desires that the
inquiry should be rigidand searching
was indicated by his statement to the
commission when IL assembled for n
conference With him. No limit is placed
upon the scope of the investigation. 1t
Is to include every department of the
army, and the president assures the com
mission in advance that he will afford IL
every facility in his power for the prose-
cution of the most searching inquiry
into every part of the administration of
the war In addressing the commission
the president said among other things:
Before suggesting the matters which
shall come before you for investigation
desire to express my appreciation to
each OF you for your willingness TO ac-
cept the patriotic service TO which you
have been invited, You are TO perform
Que of the highest public duties that can
fall to a citizen, and your unselfshness
In undertaking II makes me profoundly
grateful.
There has been in many quarters Sc
we're criticism 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 would thoroughly investigate these
charges and make the fullest ex-
animation of the administration Of the
war department in all of its branches,
with the view TO establishing the truth
or fals!ty Of these accusations. / pu.
upon you no limit to the scope OF your
investigation. OF all the departments
connected with the administration / in
vtte-the closest scrutiny and examina-
tion, and shall afford every facility for
the most searching inquiry. The records
OF the war department and the assist
ance of it's officers shall be subject To
your call.
Il cannot impress upon you too strong
ly my wish that your investigation shall
be so thorough and complete that your
report when made will fix the response
bility for any failure or fault, by reason
OF neglect, ncompetency or NAL admin
istratton, upon the officers and bureaus
responsible therefor, If it be found that
the evils compliance of have existed.
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 es-
cape conviction and punishment"
The following are brief biographical
sketches OF all members of the commits
sion except DIR. ConnoT.5 Cincinnati,
who han not yet arrived In Washington:
Major General Grenville NJ. Dodge,
president OF the commission. born April
IL. 1891; graduate Of Norwich Cvt.) uni
versity as a civil engineer; entered SER
vice. April. 1851, as captain. In 1861
So assigned to command OF the Indian
campaign. Left the army In 1866. Built
Union Pacific railroad and Texas Pa
cihc. Was member OF congress from
Iowa. Since then he has been connected
with railway systems OF the United
States.
Mats' General Alexander McCook.
United states army, retired. Is member
Of the fghtlng McCook family Of Ohio.
lie was born April %. 1881. and appointed
90 the military academy i'm 1877. When
the Civil war broke out he was on duty
at the military academy. lie was ap-
pointed colonel OF the First Ohio volun-
teers in April. 1861. promoted brigadier
seneral OF volunteers in September. 1861.