The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-26

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2s-T'he commits
sion appointed by President Mci<iniey TO
investigate the conduct of the war de-
par;ment relative 10 its conduct of the
Hispano- American war will begin us la
hors formally tomorrow The commission
effected organization Yesterday hy elect
Ing Gen. Grenv.ne NJ. Dodge president.
| Mr.. Richard Weighiman secretary ana
Maj. stephen {. Mills. of the regular
army. recorder.
The president is understood 10 be thor
cughly pleased with the personnel of tho
commission. 1t was his effort 10 secure
as members Of the commission men OF the
| highest character and standing. In whose
opinions and Judgment the country would
have all confidence. lie desired, also TO
have represented on The board all phases
of public and political feeling. every sec
ton OF the country. and all classes of huSi-
ness. professional. commercial and mill
tary. The men whom he has appointed
are Of wide and varied experience, many
Of them having served with distinguished
honor 20 themselves either In the Union
or Confederate armies. The president feels
assured that the verdict OF the conmis-
sion. whatever that may be. In the In
quiry 1t Is about 70 start. viii he accepted
and approved by all right-minded and
riGht-thnking American citizens
That il Is the presidents desire that thu
| inquiry should he rigid and searching was
| indicated by his statement TO the commits
sion when II assembled at the White House
tJfcr conference with him yesterday. No
limit Is placed by fhe president upon The
af ma sSursf Is To ssN f.~t Ind
every department OF the army. and the
president assures the commission in adj
vance that he will afford It every facility
IN his power for the prosecution Of the
NEST searching inquiry into every part of
the administration of the war.
President Mrkinley's Address.
III addressing the commission the prcsi-
dent Saii. among other things:
Gentlemen: Before discussing the mat
tiers that shall come before you for inves-
tlgstion. ! desire 70 express my apprcc!a-
ton to each of you for your willingness 70
accept the patriotic service to which you
have been invited. You are 10 perform
one Of the highest public duties that can
fan 10 a citizen. ana your unselnshness in
undertaking 1t makes me profoundly gfate-
fui
There has been In many quarters Sc
were criticism az the conduc. OF the war
of the soldiers IN camp aDt field ard hog
pitals ana IN transports have been 50 per-
sietent that. whether true or false. they
havr made a deep impression npon the
country. II is my earnest desire that YOU
shalt thoroughly investigate these charges
and make the f1lies; exposition or the
administration of the war department In
aH ~ its branches with the view of es-
'ahlishing he truth or fais.iy q These ae-
cusat.ons. p8t upon yo8 na limit TO the
O. 81 -
ments cunnec;ea with the army invite
me clasest * 3n5in8ti9a and scrutiny. ard
shal afford every facility for the most
searching inquiry The records of the war
department ana the assistance II rs offi-
GERS shall be subject 20 your call
Il cannot impress upon you too strongly
nay wash tha' Y9ur investigation ghgil ~
So thorough 1nd complete that yodr re-
port wben made vail tx feSpoFs i'isiy ftor
any failure 0r fauig ~ reason ~ ueTtft,
incomuete ncy ~ mal~adniuis.Ttfi upon
the officers and bureaus raspon@.l5i" ihere-
for-H le found shat the evils CON-
.,lalue5 ~ has. existed.
THE psup!s of the country are entitled
"a kew whffaer ur not The citizens wao
81 rrafuptty gsrpaudeA ~ fn@ csl ~ duty
h44. htea naelectei og g-suseJ or mai
;re&rra ~ lhe governments 70 which they
ea willingly gave theiF AeFF5cee, tf there
Save been ~roaSs committed. the wrong
!oers faust not esCAps conviction and pun
sha.eut
TIE following ara aiagFaphieal sketches
~ all members ~ 3he commission exrfpt
Dr connor. of Cincinnati. who has not ar
rivel in Washington.
wnj. Zen. Dodge.
Ma Zen. C;fsnvti,a NJ Tofee. president
ef fhe r3-ar1 .ss. .ca gvas horn Agr.i l@. 1884;
graagsted frssn Norw1ea VI, university
a. a ciyiI engineer. lie entered me SER
.~. ia, sv.vE} 1851 ~ raufstr. WAs made