The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-21
The algerian" Investigation.

Some rather interesting incidents are
coming to the surface in connection
with the investigation into the war
department scandals and from rather
unexpected sources. The sentiment
pervades the country that nothing in
the way Of a report is possible pre-
vious to the election to be held Nov
s. 1t would not be good policy for the
administration even to put forward
whitewash report before that time
But the most beautiful and eff1Ores-
cent feature Of this whole inquiry is
associated with the manner in which
the commission Of nine twist them
selves around sharp angles and avoid
coming up against thoroughly sound
and reliable sources Of information
respecting the subjects with which
they have to deal. The Washington
Post has been, until recently, quite
persistent in it's leanings toward the
administration side Of the question.
When Surgeon Major L. L. Seaman
gave his testimony last week, the Post
apOlogized to the public for devoting
column and a half of editorial space
to comment upon his evidence. A con-
feSSiOn was made that in the first
instance it had not been regarded as Sc
riously as it should have been, because
the witness was thought to be ire
sponsible at the time he made his al
legged statements to the newspaper
press on account of his weak physical
condition as the result Of his severe
experiences, in the line Of duty, during
the summer months in the West Irldies
DR.. Seaman's testimony ali tended to
show that it did not make any differ
ence who might make the acquisitions
upon the government for supplies for
sick and convalescent soldiers; they
would run up against a negative pow
er somewhere In the commissary de-
partment, hence there was no use Of
making the attempt
Now the Washington Post comes
along with an editorial so fresh in its
flavor and so meaty in it's quality, but
yet so delayed in it's introduction that
one is inclined to the belief that It
must have been kept in a refrigerator
during the past four months, to the eff
feet that the decentralization which be-
fell the army in it's cOmmissary and
sanitary conduct, during the campaign.
Breckenridge from the bureau Of in
spection to post of activity in other
lines in the field There is no Doubt
that there was a lack of proper service
which comes under the head and con-
troll of the inspector general By the
transfer Of Gen. Breckenridge to 9TH
er duties, the bureau Of inspection
seems to have tumbIed into a. condt-
ton of absolute uselessness. AS the
Post expresses it, it's usefulness was
largely, if not totally, paralyzed. If
there is any time when an inspection
bureau is Of any value, it is when an
army is in the field and the health of
those composing it becomes one of the
most important considerations. The
government does not accept men in
the service with a view to nursing
them in hospitals; hence, the greatest
energy should always be put forth to
surround the men in the camps with
conditions that will provide the max
1mum of health and comfort in the
circumstances; ard the bureau of the
war department especially charged
with the fulfillment of this function is
that of inspection. The following quo
tation is from the Washington Post
and speaks very forcibly for itself:
1t is true. nevertheless, that at the very
threshold of the war, when the camps of in
struction were organizing; when it was tndis-
pensable to the wtll-being of the troops thar
the inspection bureau should be operated to
it's highest capacity and with the utmost
vigilance. precision, harmony and inteIIf-
gence-it is true that at this critical moment
the work of depopufating the office and de-
stroying its efficiency began. 1t is true that
during the period We have indicated, the in
spection bureau was virtually deserted and
that at times OF greater or less duration there