The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-13

Washington, Feb. 12.-The report sub
mitted to the president last Wednesday
by. the commission appointed by him to
investigate the conduct of the war de-
partment in the war with Spain. was
made public today. The report is an
unanimous one, all the members of the
commission having signed it except
Colonel Sexton. whose death occurred
Feb. T. At its close it says:
1T is with profound regret that the
commission reports that during its
later sessions Colonel James A. Sexton
was prevented by sickness from being
present, and on the 4th of February
our colleague closed an honored and ac-
tive life"
The report is a voluminous document,
containing about $4,000 words, and an
official abstract prepared by the secre-
tary of the commission, was furnished
to the press for its convenience. This
abstract says:
The commission organized on Sept.
"a. electing General Granville M Dodge
president; Hon. Charles DENLY, vice
president, and Mr.. Richard Weightman
secretary. General James A. Beaver
was designated to conduct the eXamlna-
ton of witnesses; Lieutenant Colonel F.
b. Jones, chief quartermaSter OF Volun-
teers. was detailed by the war depart
ment as disbursing officer, and Major
Stephen G. Mills, L. ). A, was appoint
ed by the president as recorder.
On Monday, the 26th of September,
the commission convened in regular
session. Arrangements were made TO
admit to the rooms six journalists,
three of them representing the three
established press associations. Having
81 I,ai, he
committee could not throw these open
to the public indiscriminately All the
newspaper in the country, however,
had access, through the press associa-
tions to the examination of witnesses,
and the American people were served,
in respect of the proceedings of the
commission. exactly as they are served
in ali other matters public interest from
day to day.
Among the first acts of the commits
sion was to ask the secretary Of war,
the adjutant general, the quartermaster
general, the commiSSary general and
the surgeon general to transmit all the
complaints received by them touching
the administration of their respective
departments. This request was prompt
" compiled with. and from that time
forth all complaints were forwarded to
the committee Immediately upon their
receipt al the war department.
In further pursuance of this prepara-
tory measure. the commission, on Sept.
q. made public invitation through the
press to all persons having knowledge
or belief Of any official wrong CT dere-
licticn to submit their statements in
writing. accom- panied by such collateral
proof or information as might be at
their disposal. This invitation met with
a liberal response Hundreds of affi-
davits. letters. newspaper clippings,
Z
ceived. all Of which were thoroughly
and laboriously investigated, as viii ap-
pear in the testimony taken by the
commission and the various exhibits
and appendices TO be published here
after.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS.
Next. the secretary of war was re-
ouessted TO direct the various chiefs of
deDartments under him to furnish the
commission with statement Of the
condition Of their respective depart
1nents at the outbreak of the war and
the operations Of the same during the
period of hostilities.
The communication recited in detail
the subjects on which Information was
desired. comprising facts touching the
mobilization of troops and their Organi-
cation: the amount and kind Of camp
and garrison equipage on hand at the
he2lDDlIG Ol liz y elAs liAC dIllOuill SUD
seGuently purchased; similar informa-
tion with regard TO furnishing the
troops with arms and accoutrements;
information whether the volunteer regi-
rnents were armed and equipped in the
various state camps, how the location
of the camps of general rendezvous was
determined; full particulars as to the
transportation of troops, an account of
the quality, quantity and kind of food
furnished; information as to the tent
age. beds, linen, medicines and all other
necessities for the hospitals; as TO whe-
4her the medical staff was efficient, and
as TO the conditions and operations of
the engineer and ordnance departments.
These statements, promptly and intel
lieently made, were of great service in
the investigation, being of the character 4
of text and reference books.
Having thus arranged the preliminary
matters which seemed advisable to be
determined, the commission resolved
that all charges specifically brought be-
fore ii should be made the basis of the
examination of witnesses Who had, or