Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-04
HOW NOT TO DO 1T.

The Alger investigating commission is
dragging its weary length along. 1t
has found out some things that nearly
everybody else knew before, and been
told great deal about the present con-
dition of the camps-which is not an
issue at all. But it has shed no light
upon the disgraceful conduct Of Alger
towards General Miles, or towards Gene
raj Breckenridge. or towards General
Graham.
In short. we have another Illustration.
this time with military accessories. OF
the giant policeman of the stage, who
hears of a riot upon the streets, and goes
out and arrests a 5-year-old boy!
We suspect that the commissioners,
most of whom are good, easy-going.
amiable men. have been cajoled into the
belief that TO expose the misconduct OF
Alger and our generals while we are
negotiating with Spain would be TO in
lure our countrys cause. No doubt that
sort of argument has been used TO in
fiuence them, but, of course. 1t is the
merest pretext. The real reason Tor
coaxing the commission into holding
back the basic facts of the controversy
Is that a publication of them would re-
fleet discredit upon the administration,
and thus injure the cause Of the Repub-
lican party in the pending elections
1t is now clear that the elections will
come and go before we see the letter
that Roosevelt wrote, criticising the
management of affairs at Santiago. The
winter will be upon us before the com
mission learns, as all the rest of the
world already knows, that but for the
grit of old Joe Wheeler Shafter would
have retreated instead Of advancing af-
Ter the first engagement at Santiago. The
underhandedness of Ayers dealings with
Miles has not been touched upon by any
witness summoned by the commission.
Not a word has been said about the mon
strous frauds perpetrated upon our gov
eminent I'm the purchase of ships TO be
used as transports. In fact nothing
but trifiing details have been or will be
put before the public before the elections
come off.
IL all this comes about by mere acct
dent. then we must say that the Repub-
lican party is playing in great luck. But
81. as we guess, the majority OF the com
missioners have permitted themselves 10
be duped into the belief that TO disclose
rascalities OF that sort would injure US
I'm the eyes OF Spain. then we must say
their credulity is remarkable.
That the commissioner have obtained
somo important information We cheer
fully admit This information goes to
show that the embarkatjon of our troops
at Tampa, and their Decentralization at
Guantanamo, was the work Of incompe-
tent officers. We have bat 10 compare
the work there with that done in sending
our army 10 Manila TO discover the DIFF
ference between competence and incom-
petence.
The commission has. also, heard much
testimont showing that our soldiers In
the camps and hospitals were poorly pro-
yided for. though our government pour
ed out its money for the purpose of
caring Tor its men better than any other
government has ever done for theirs.
But the inquiry has not yet touched the
fountain-head. No, indeed. Miles, and
Roosevelt. Breckenridge, Sternberg. and
others. who could tell volumes. have not
been called. And yet they could give
more information IN one day than their
subordinates could give In year,
General Merritt being at enmlty with
Alger thaying had TO discipline Algcr
during the civil war;, and doubtless,
Nearing that Alger would knife him II
he could, refused 10 start for Manila I'M
I'll he was ready TO go; until he was pro-
ssrly equipped for the trip. and had Or