The Elbert County tribune., 1898-09-29
WILL INVESTIGATE.
The COMMISSION IS READY.
&c IL Composed Of Representative Mos
The Presidents Instructions TO Them


Washington. Sept. 25.-Tlle commits
sion appointed by President Mckinley
TO Investigate the administration Of
the War Department III relation 10 its
conduct OF the Hispano-Anerican war
win begin its -labors formally to-mor-
row.
The commission consists OF Major
General Granville NJ. Dodge or Iowa,
Colonel j. A. Sexton OF Illinois. Cap
tain T.. T.. Howell OF Georgia, Major
General J. ". Wilson. chief OF cngi-
nccrs OF the United Sfates army, Hon.
Charles DENLY Of Indiana. late minis
ter TO China; Ex-Governor Urban A
Woodbury. OF Vermont, Ex-Governor
James A. Beaver OF Pennsylvania. Ma
jor General II. Med. Mccook OF the
army tretIredl and DIR. Connor Of Gin
cinnati.
The commission effected an organi-
zation yesterday by electing General
Granville NJ. Dodge president. Mr..
Richard Weghtman secretary and Ma
jor Stephen G. Mills OF the regular
army recorder. The President is un-
derstood 10 be pleased with the per-
sonnel OF the committee. II was his
effort to secure as members of the
commission men OF the highest char
ncter and stumbling, In whose opinions
and Judgment the country would have
NIL confidence. He desired, also, TO
have represented on the board all
phases of public and political feeling.
every section OF the country and all
Glasses OF business, professional, com
mercial and military.
The men whom he has appointed are
possessed OF wide and varied expert
ence. many OF them having served with
distinguished honor TO themselves eth
or In the Union or Confederate armies.
The President feels assured TINT the
verdict of the commission. whatever
that may he. In the inquiry II IL about
to conduct, Will be accepted and ap-
proved by all right minded and right
thinking American citizens
That II Is the Presidents desire that
the inquiry should be rigid and search
ing was indicated by his statement to
the commission when II assembled at
the White House for conference with
him yesterday. No limit is placed by
the President upon the scope of the In
vestlgation. 1t IL to include every de-
partment OF the army, and the Presi-
dent assures the commission in ad-
vance that he will afford II every facIl-
ity In his fewer for the prosecution of
the most searching inquiry Into every
part of the administration OF the war.
In addressing the commission the Pres
ident said. among other things:
"Gentleincn-lseforc suggesting the
matters which shall come before you
for Investigation. l desire to express
my appreciation to each of you for
your willingness to accept the patriotic
service to which you have been invited.
You are to perform one OF the high
est public duties that can fall TO n
citizen: and your unselfishness In un-
dertaking II makes me profoundly
grateful.
There has been In many quarters
severe citiclsm 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 fii1se, they have made n deep
impression, upon the country. 1t Is my
earnest desire that you shall thorough
ly investigate these charges and make
the fullest exposition of the adminis-
tration of the War Department in all
of It's branches. with the view TO estab-
fishing the truth or falsity OF these ac-
cusutions-,r
-'.r put upon you no limit to the scope
- > VtsAe tctiHdAioAis III MI utDNEl-
ments connected with the Nnrlny, I In
vite the closest scrutiny and cxamIna-
tion and shall AFFORD every facility for
the most searching Inquiry. The rec
oryis of the War Department and the
assistance OF Its officers shall be SUBJ
ject to your call.
II cannot Impress upon you too
strongly my wish that your investiga-
tIon shall be SO thorough and complete
that your report when made will fix
the responsibility for any failure or
fault by reason OF neglect. incompe-
tency or maladministrntion upon the
officers and bureaus responsible there
for-if 1t be found that the evils conf
planned Of have existed.
"The people OF the country are enti-
tied TO know whether or not the cItI-
zens who so promptly responded to the
call of duty have been neglected or
misued or maltrented by the govern
ment to which they 80 willingly gave
their services. II there have been
wrongs committed. the wrong -doers
must not escape conviction and pun
ishment."