davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
TOO MUCH FRICTION.

Pr esident and Secretary Should Have the
Confidence of Commanding General.
Perhaps the most significant utter
ance in the whole document, so far as
concerns the discipline and efficiency of
the army, comes next:
"For many years the divided author
ity and responsibility in the war de-
partment has produced friction for
which, in the interest of the service, a
remedy, if possible, should be applied.
"The constitution makes the presi-
dent commander-in-chief Of the army
and he cannot transfer that authority
to any other person. The president Sc
lects his secretary of war, who has his
confidence and who is his confidential
adviser. The commanding general is
assigned to duty as such by the presi-
dent and his duties are defined by the
military laws of the United States.
'The president must have the same
power of selection of his general-in.
chief as he has Of his secretary of war
Without this there can be no guarantee
that he will give, or that the secretary
Of war will place in the general-in-chiei
that confidence which is necessary fol
the control of the army. Neither the
president nor the secretary of wal
should have in command of the army &
person who is not working in harmony
with them"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16

on the war department. After SO years
of peace, during great part of which
the army did not exceed $1,000 men. it
suddenly became necessary to arm,
clothe, feed and equip more than a
quarter of a million.
One of the Marvels of History.
"The sudden emergency which called
our people to arms after an interval of
half century of peace with all foreign
powers was met by the war department
with earnestness and energy. The stu
ton found the country unprepared with
any large stock Of arms, ammunition,
clothing, supplies and equipments. That
they were duly provided and the nu.
merous demands on the industries were
met so promptly will remain one of the
marvels of history"
Speaking of the lessons taught by ex'
perience the report says:
1.-The rapidity with which the com
handing officers of CORPS. divisions
brigades, regiments and officers of the
staff departments have profted by the
first six months service is shown in the
improvements in the new camps, theil
location, water supply and sanitary ar
rangements.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
TOO MUCH ROUTINE.
Methods Employed Make 1t Almost Inn
possible to Do Business.

Methods Employed Make 1t Almost I'm
possible to Do Business.
A most important criticism by the
commission is as follows:
"The routine work in the depart
ments. in our opinion, is far beyond
what is necessary and each year seems
to increase it. The methods employed
make it almost impossible to transact
business promptly. The heads of all
departments, officers of large depots,
chiefs of staff, departments, corps and
divisions have necessarily been obliged
to give attention to details which should
have been given to matters Of larger
moment. No well regulated concern or
corporation could transact business sat
ksfactorily under such regulations as
govern the staff departments, and the
fact that every officer of each of the staff
departments holding responsible posi-
tions has been forced to ignore routine
demonstrates the necessity of new
FORM" -
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
ALGER MILDLY CRITICIZED.

Lacked That Complete Grasp of the Sit
uation Essential to Efficiency.
The report now takes up the war de-
partment and its chiefs and subdivi-
sions, beginning with the secretary of
war:
1.-THE records Of the war which have
been laid before us show that the secre-
tary of war extended to all chiefs of
bureaus cordial and full support and
promptly responded to every proper de-
mand made upon him by commanding
officers.
''No testimony has been presented
showing intentional neglect of duty nor
any attempt to serve personal interests.
The charges made that the secretary OF
war was primarily interested in con-
tract purchases and other contracts of
the war department, have been thor
oughly examined and found baseless.
sin the judgment of the commission
there was lacking in the general admin
istration of the war department during
the continuance of the war with Spain
that complete grasp of the situation.
which was essential to the highest eff
cheney and discipline of the army.
1.-THE commission refrained from
criticizing certain of the heads of bu-
reaus for not having acted with fore
sight in preparing their several depart
ments for active war before war was
actually declared, because it has ap-
peared that the national defense funds,
provided by the act of March 9. 1898,
was not available for use except for the
navy and for coast defenses and the
expenditures incident thereto until
after the declaration of war;"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
WOUNDS AND DISEASE.
Deaths in Our Army Only Fraction
Over One Per Cent.

Deaths in Our Army Only Fraction
Over One Per Cent.
sThe result of the Santiago campaign
was the complete realization of the sew
eral objects contemplated. This was
accomplished without the loss of pris-
oner, a gun or color and with list of
casualties aggregating in killed less
than $50 and in wounded less than 1 400
Losses which in comparison with re-
suits are less than have heretofore oc-
CURED in modern warfare.
1T should be added, also, that the to-
tai deaths in battle from wounds and
disease from the beginning to the end of
the episode, aggregated less than 5000
only a fraction over per cent"
Should BE Proud of Our Soldiers.
The report closes thus: '.In conclud-
ing its labors it is with much pleasure
that the commission reports that, not
withstanding the haste with which the
nation entered upon the war with
Spain, the resulting and almost newt
able confusion in bureau and camp, the
many difficulties of arming, assembling
and transporting large bodies of hitherto
unframed men, the carrying on of a Sc
ries of operations in two hemispheres.
the people of the United States should
ever be proud of its soldiers, who, CO.
operating with its sailors, in less than
three months put an end to Spanish
colonial power, enfranchised oppressed
people and taught the world at
large the strength and the nobility of a
great republic"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

Its Errors Charged to Omission Rather
Than Commission.
The medical department is dwelt
upon at great length by the commission.
A glance at the commissions summing
up will sufficiently indicate its nature:
"First-That at the outbreak of the
war the medical department was in men
and materials altogether unprepared to
meet the necessities of the army called
out.
''Second-That as a result of the &C.
ton through generation Of contracted
and contracting methods of admins
tration, it was impossible for the de-
partment to operate largely, freely and
without undue regard to cost.
"Third-That in the absence of
special corps of inspectors, and the ap-
parent infrequency of inspections by
chief surgeons. and of official reports of
the stats of things in camps and hospi-
tails, there was not such investigation
of the sanitary condition of the army as
is the first duty imposed upon the de-
partment by the regulations.
"Fourth-That the nursing force dur
ing the months of May, June and July
was neither ample nor efficient, reasons
for which may be found in the lack of a
proper volunteer hospital corps, due to
the failure of congress to authorize its
establishment and to the recognition in
the beginning of the value of women
nurses and the extent to which their
services could be secured.
&1o 4
the resources Of the department in the
care of sick and wounded was very
much greater than had been anticipated
and consequently, in like proportion,
these demands were imperfectly met.
''Sixth-That powerless as the depart
ment was to have supplies transferred
from point to point except through the
intermediation of the quartermaster's
department it was seriously crippled in
its efforts to fulfill the regulation duty
of furnishing all medical and such sup
plies.
"Seventh-That the shortcomings in
administration and of operation may
justly be attributed in large measure to
the hurry and confusion incident to the
assembling of an army of untraine d
officers and men, ten times larger than
before, for which no preparations in ad
vance had been or could be made be-
cause of existing rules and regulations.
"Eighth-That Notwithstanding all
the manifest errors, of omission rather
than of commission, vast deal of good
work was done. by medical officers, high
and low, regular and volunteer. and
there were unusually few deaths among
the wounded and the sick"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
leges there is considerable room for inn
provement in the inspector generals de-
M rfynant
COMMISsARY DEPARTMENT.

Charges of General Miles Regarding Beef
Not Sustained.
"The commission has carefully in
vestigated the subject of the condition,
quality and quantity of food supplies to
the army. Almost without excep-
ton it has been shown by the testi-
mony taken that wherever the troops
were ordered, whether to the various
camps in the United States or in Porto
Rico, Cuba and Manila, the rations pre-
scribed by law were on the transports
and at the camps with the soldiers.
so far as we have been able to ascer-
tain there waA but one occasion, that OF
day in front of Santiago, when the
troops were seriously short of rations;
these had been supplied but thrown
aside whom the men went into action.
At times the vegetable ration was not
of good quality, the potatoes and onions
being sdoiled.
Regarding "Embalmed" Beef.
"This commission was organized the
oath day of September last. Up to the
21st day of December its members had
| taken testimony in II different towns
| and cities and nine camps 1t also had
received many hundred letters, commu-
nications and newspaper clippings from
persons living in all parts of the coun-
| try. Examination of numerous officers
and enlisted men had been made as to
the quality and condition Of the meat
issued to the troops. The testimony,
with some exceptions, showed that the
refrigerated beef issued was pure, sound
and wholesome"
The testimony of General Miles and
Major Daily is then quoted and COM
mented on and the report continues:
| I'm view of the facts above set forth
the commission is of the opinion that NO
refrigerated beef furnished by contrac,
tors and issued to the troops during the
war with Spain was subjected to OF
treated with any chemicals by the con-
tractors or those in their employ"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
LOOKING FOR THE FACTS.

Commission Heard Everyone Whe De-
sired to Testify.
After reciting in detail the efforts
made to secure all information ON the
subject, the report says:
"Our purpose In the discharge of our
duties,was toarrive at facts touching the
conduct Of the war and no effort was
spared by US to reach that result. We
have examined the secretary OF war,
the commanding general, heads Of de-
partments, officers Of corps, divisions,
brigades, regiments and companies;
non-commissionedo officers and privates;
nurses and persons from many employ
ments in private life. No man or wo-
man who has stated to US that he or she
had any material matter touching the
subject.of our inquiry to communicate
has been denied bearing.
"Au the members Of the commission
have been engaged in taking testimony.
It has happened that.sub-committees
have been occupied in hearing witnesses
at four different places at the same
time.
No Evidence Of Dishonesty.
"Itmay be said now, at the beginning
Of this report, that there has been no
evidence before us that anyone in or
connected with the department has dis
honestly received dollar. We have
made persistent efforts to secure the at
tendance of persons to whose names
rumor had attached an allegation that
they knew of corruption of officials in
the war department, but these men
have either denied the statements at
tributed to them or have maintained
silence when invited to tell what they
knew"
Before proceeding to a specific de-
scription Of the conduct and manage
ment of the war, the report gives COM
ments and suggestions touching certain
matters which came under considera-
ton as logical consequence of the in
quiry pursued by the commission.
Referring to the question OF retired Off
GERS the report says:
One of the Mistakes Made.
Under existing laws the officers of
the army are retired when they reach
the age of ga. We have had before us
many suggestions made by officers on
the retired list, who are men of expert
ence and distinction, that this law
should be so amended as to give the
president the right to call into active
service any retired officer during the
time of war. The right exists as to the
retired officers of the navy and it seems
to us there is no reason why it should
not be extended to embrace retired army
officers
During the recent war many posi-
lions were filled by the appointment OF
civilians, to which retired officers could
have brought professional training, val
liable knowledge and large experience. !"
In the matter of regimental officers,
the commission found that all volunteer
commands differed by men Of military
experience and training Jared much
better than those differed by amateurs.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
AS TO The WAR
Report of the Commission Ap-
pointed by the President
Made Public.
Some Departments Criticized, But
on the Whole All of Them
Did Well.
Friction Between Those High in
Command Greatly to Be
Deplored.
Alger's Department Lacked Full
Grasp--Charges Of Miles Not
Sustained.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-The report
submitted to the president last Wednes-
day by the commission appointed By
him to investigate the conduct of the
war department in the war with Spain
has been made public. The report Is a
unanimous one, all the members of the
commission having signed it except
Colonel Sexton, whose death occurred
Feb. 4. The report is a voluminous
document containing about 81. 900 words.
An official abstract, prepared by the Sec
rotary of the commission. was furnished
to the press for its convenience.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
OUARTERMASTER'S WORK.

His Department Hampered in Prepare
ton for War by Lack of Funds.
In treating of the work of the quar-
termaster's department the commission
finds it was hampered by law until the
actual declaration of war, 'but as soon
as funds were available the quarter
master general threw the energy of his
department into the work and that his
officers labored faithfully in their efforts
to aid him is plain to those who have
CAREFUL studied their work"
The report adds that many COM
plants were made in reference to un-
necessary delays and lack of promptness
on the part of the quartermasters de-
partment in moving regiments and in
the care of sick and convalescents re-
turning home either with their regi-
ments or alone. For this the railroads
are held mainly responsible.
Transportation to Santiago.
Referring to the Shafter expedition
the commission finds that many of the
transports were poorly equipped with
sleeping accommodations: the sinks in
many instances were inconvenient and
insufficient and some of the vessels
were badly ventilated and filled with
disagreeable odors. 1t has been stated.
that had the fleet encountered severe
storm while en- route to Cuba I dis.
comfort would have been intense AM
there might have been loss of life. The
quartermaster's department oughi tC
have been able to more thoroughly equip
those vessels and surely it should have
been more certain of their carrying
capacity.
CONTRACTS covering millions of dol
lars were made by the quartermaster's
department during the period between
April and Oct. 1, and although indefi-
mite charges have from time to time
been made of fraud or of collision, nc
evidence has been produced before the
commission to substantiate these
charges, although the parties making
them have been invited to appear"
The report praises the efficiency of the
adjutant generals department, but al
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
Temples For Christian Scientists.

CHICAGO, Feb. 2.-Chicago Christian
Scientists have subscribed $4,000 in
the last 10 days towards the erection of
two costly new temples, one for the
North Side and the other for the West
Side congregations, to be dedicated
some time before the close of the pres
emit year, and will be equal architecture
ally, to the First Church in Drexel
boulevard, on the South Side, dedicated
one year ago.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
AN IMMENSE UNDERTAKING.

war Departments Work in Raising
and Equipping Troops.
The great increase in the army at the
beginning of the war is recited, with
the following comment:
"These figures of themselves indicate
that an immense work was thrown up
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
To MAKE Dewey an Admiral.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-The senate
committee on naval affairs has decided
to report favorably the joint resolution
reviving the rank of admiral, in the in
terest of Rear Admiral Dewey. The
resolution was so amended as to extend
the time of his retirement 10 years.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
Two hundred men who had I

Two hundred men who had been en-
gagged in roadmaking in the Santiago
district are on strike. They had been
receiving 81 per day and want $1.s5
with rations.
United States Senator Knute Nelson
of Minnesota, and the American com
missioner to Bergen exhibition, O. A..
Thorpe of Chicago, have been gazetted
knights of st. Olaf.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16

A Kafir's religion consists mostly in
singing and dancing.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16

The American Steel and Wire COM
pany has advanced the price of wire
and wire nails 50 per ton.
A severe cyclone visited Northern
Madagascar ON saturday night, the dis
trict of Menjata, on Bentakbe bay, suf-
fering severely.
A general advance of 10 per cent in
wages has been ordered for the 5000
employees at the Cambria (Pa.) Iron
company's works.
Prince Alfred of Sake oburg- Gotha
is dead. He was the only son of the
Duke of Saxe-C oburg and Gotha, second
son of Queen Victoria.
Representative Stallings of Alabama
has introduced into the house bill au-
thorizing the president to appoint Gen
eral Wheeler "a major general in 'the
regular army.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16

William Laird of the famous ship
building firm Of Laird Bros. at Birken-
head, Eng, is dead.
Mrs. Mary Williams, her son and two
small children were drowned while
fording Clinch river, near Middles-
boro, KY.
The United States cruiser Raleigh,
which sailed from New York on Dec
Is for Manila via Suez, has arrived at
Port Said
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
l.R.ftRR@.
LEND US YOUR EAR.

We want to tell you of the fine laun-
dry work we are doing, and give
everyone that appreciates beautiful
color, and fine, medium finish on their
linen the benefit of our experience and
expert workmanship.
BEN sCHOENHOFF,
0auk Centre, Mimi.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-02-16
The Club Fee is One Dollar !:
As AN ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1t PRACTICALLY well
LATEST and MOST SCHOLARLY contains 80 900 Eneyc.e
de whole human knowledge condensed for INSTANT
The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-04-14
FROM wHEATlEY.


Regular correspondence.
Day Bros. & Outlaw are running
a hoop-polo industry near Wheat
10y.
Sunday scheol sina prosperous
condition. j. r.. Hawkins is super
iutendeut
Very little gardening hes been
done in this community, 4n fHct
few gardens have been planted.
Rev. John Baucum preached at
Crooked Creek Sunday forenoon,
and Rev. Mr. Cole preached at the
same place Sunday evening.
Whore it was not affected blythe
recent overflow wheat is looking
reasonably well, aud it isTeryIiSe-
/ ~ that great deal that was under
water is not seriously INFUSED
Hawley Garner, who iell from
the river bridge at Danville last
Saturday, is seriously injured, but
it is thought that he viii recover.
| He was the seventh man to fall
from the bridge since-last August
(only one being killed., and the
fourth to fall from the same place
. since January,
[ We have had nothing to say IN
regard to incorporating Camden,
: but now that it is a fact, we are
! pleased to know that good men
4 have been selected to conduct the
g municipal affairs, though it does
e not concern the boys down this
way very much, for when they want
8 whisky they can getitnearer home.
II Tits mainly the good people in and
y around Camden who will suffer af
% a result of whisky and an inferior
d system of government. We hope
II however, that the people of Cam
den will all pull the same way a
the same time, and that their uniteC
IS efforts may beasuccess and in some
way a blessing to the town,
&c WHEATLEY, April.l1.
The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-04-14
FROM MeEELWAIN.

Special correspondence
w. G.. McIllwain mourns theloss
of Fido.
A. Fry, of Coxbufg here
Saturday.
Alb Yickrey is reported on the
the list Of sick.
Rev. Erastus Franks preached at
Flatwoods Sunday.
Oscar Merrick made his regular
trip~to Holladay Sunday.
Aunt Linda MaIin,. who rs very
sick, is reported no better.
McIllwain has two new business
houses and new dwelling.
Owing to so much bad weather
farmers are late with their crops.
An enjoyable entertainment was
given at the home of J. R. McIll-
vain last Wednesday evening.
| McILLwAIN April II.
The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-04-14
TRUSTEES SALE.

BY virtue of the power and authority
vested IN me by trust deed OF James ~.
Alsup and wife, Nancy Alsup, dated De-
cemBer 23. 1896 and recorded in Book
EF, page lC2, iu the Registers office of
Benton County, Tcnn, ] will ollerlor sQle
90 the highest bidder at the court house
door at Camden iu said county Of Benz
ton, Wednesday April 10 1899, between
ihe hours of ~ md 2 O'Clock lhe follow
ing described property:
& certain tract Of land situated in the
eighth civil district range section g, con-
tanning l04 acres Beginning on a stake
with beech 5nd.swcutgum pointers runs
south 20 poles 20 % stake hickory and
sussafras pointers; thence west 20 poles
10 stake thence sonth GA poles to a red
oak thence west 36 poles 10 poplar.
posloak pointers; thence south 20 poles
tO the northeast corner of an entry in thc
name of 10. Wygul; thence west00 poles
thence north with the east boundary line
OF an entry IN the name of Beverly Her
rem 66 poles thence east so poles thence
south poles thence east 20 poles; thence
north poles; thence east 10 poles to a
stake two poplar pointers thence noru
/ IL east lou p0leS 10 NhlltodA oNtlAllir
on the south side OF Greenbrier Greek
with oak dogwood and elm pointers
thence up the meanderings Of said creel
south 60 east 25 poles thence in an east
ern direction with the meanders Of sale
Greenbrer Creek to the beginning. BE
ing The land conveyed by j. p. Smalle,
to j. N. Asup by deed recorded il BooI
M, page 221, in the Registers Office O
said county.
/ Said property is sold to foreclose a trus
deed given bv J ~ and Nancy Alsup t
the Farmers Savings and Building an
Loan Association, of Nashville, Tenn.
/ TERMS or SALE,
Cash. free from the equity of redeml
ton and the right Of dover and home
5 stead.
! March 20, 1899
w. Ii. RAYMOND,
= S. l.. PEELER, Truste
f Solicitor for the Farmers Savings an
Building and Loan Association 1915