The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-13
FX-PARTE REPORT.

passed.
EX-PARTE REPORT.
1.-The senior major general of the army
and the inspector general of the army" he
continued do not seem to be content or
satisfied with that with perfect propriety and
within the law, and as contemplated by reg
ulations, samples OF everything furnished
the army now in existence can be obtained
examined. analysed, and every statement for
or against the food furnished verified. This
is not enough. I have not felt at liberty to
object to this method of procedure. for the
reason that my objection, however well
founded however we'll based on law and reg
uations, | feared would be given to the
world as an evidence that | and my depart
ment feared an inspections; and this, TOO,
when and while l and the whole department
cOurted it, But we did not court eX-parte
reports made at the instigatiOn of people
well known to be hostile-parties whose ac-
tons already. and whose statements here
before your committee show but too plainly
what animus is behind all.
Referring to Inspector General Brecktn-
ridges investigation, General Eagan pointed
out various reports of officers that have been
published and quoted telegram ne re-
ceived on Jan. from Lieut. Col A. y.
Smith, depot commissary at Havana, as foi-
lows:
"Commissary General, Washington: Guild,
inspector Seventh Corps. ordered by Breck-
inridge to inspect and report on all meat and
request samples. l will, without further
Instructions decline to recognize Breckin-
all stores desired unofically."
Colonel Smith is an old experienced ofii-
eel" said General Eagan. and, not know
ing there was anything like game in prog
ress, he stood upon the regulations, and
from strict military point of view prop
erly refused this improper course, unless
he had evidence that it was authorized, as
he should have been. by the secretary of
war. For, it can be readily seen that If
this sort of eX-parte examinations are made
and eX-parte reports solicited, no mans rep
utation is safe; every mans character may
be put in jeopardy. Designing people might
ruin Christ even. if He were here to-day.
But, as l believed this course not only i'm
proper and not contemplated by the regula-
tiOns, believing further that it was a trap
to produce just such a refusal as Colonel
Smith made. l replied to Colonel Smith the
same day saying. You will not stand on
meats and every article of subsistence stores
to be inspected by Guild, and, if necessary,
to be inspected twenty times day In
form Guild of this dispatch. Furnish copy
of this dispatch to every commissary in Gu
ba for their guidance, and in compliance III
similar cases
Il had no right" General Eagan ex-
planned Ito send that dispatch, but took it
upon myself to send out this authority
fearing q refusal would be interpreted by
the world at large that the department was
afraid of any and every kind of inVestiga-
ton. When | Informed the secretary of
war the following day. and he understood
and realized that the inspector general.
doubtless at the instigation of the senior
major general of the army, was inaugural
plated by the regulations nor authorized
by proper authority he promptly informed
me. be would not have approved my course,
although he thought perhaps | was right.
BRECKINRIDGE CRITICISED.
inspector General Breckenridge has re-
Gently addressed l. ters direct to officers of
my department calling for reports to him
about the various articles of food furnished
during the past year to the army. He does
this without the authority of the secretary
of war. In effect we have in this two Off
GERS Of the army-Generai Miles and General
Breckinridge-who take upon themselves to
investigate matters pertaining solely and
exclusively to the secretary of war; to call
for eX parte reports. and to do this directly
not through the adjutant general of the
army, but direct and without the knowledge
OF the secretary of wef or the adJutant
general of the army. Your committee will
readily see at once how far the thing has
gone and TO what extremes these men go
70 estaDllsh ana make case. Genefai
Breckenridge has also addressed ! am cred
IDLY informed, a similar letter direct to the
surgeon general. / and my department, who
are concerned in this matter. are being
tried not with sworn evidence, nor with OPP
pOrtunitY to confront the witnesses, still
less the opportunity to refute any state
ments made, because they refer to things
gene to things consumed. things not in eX-
istence, and. therefore, every one is given a
free hand and q free license to comment as
they please, because of the inability TO re-
flute with any evidence whatsoever the
statements that have been made by people
who know that their statements cannot be
controverted because the evidence in the
case is out of existence"
General Eagan said it appeared from the
seeking Of these reports that the subordi-
mates were inspecting their superior. trying
him by ex parte reports obtained at their
own instance. He referred TO the reports
from officers and submitted by General Miles
as irresponsible statements, and said that
few army officers would take advantage Of
knew there was no power nor means upon
earth to disprove because the substances
they speak of have passed out of existence
the proofs are gone. One of these officers
goes outside to tell about competition for
contracts and what was used in canning,
If General Miles had Informed himself as
much about army rations as he pretends to
have informed himself about refrigerated
beef which he falsely calls "embalmed
beef" then he should have been ena bled to
inform YOU that this very timed beef We
are speaking Of has been part of the army
ratiOns since FEB g. 1883. Whether General
to say, but he takes it upon himself when
asked who fixed II as a part Of the army
ration TO say: You will have 10 ask some
one here In Washington. This application
shows how reliable his statements are
General Eagan went on to say that Gen
Miless chief c0mmissary selected by him
over experienced officers had public sub
sistence funds in his possession but could
not use them for lack of a check book
though Colonel Sharpe chief commissary on
General Brooke's staff, who because he did
not happen to be a selection of General
with a check book. He questioned the
,-fof7t of General Miles divert fhe r.lfefonaa