The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-18
EXPERT EVIDENCE
On Algcr-SaIn Small Snys Volunteer
Hayr M Eiclr rnm;np

Have no Kick Coming.
Sam w. Small, who Is soldering in
Cuba, writes as follows to the Atlanta
Constitution: Our volunteer soldiers
now in Cuba are jubIlant over the news
of their early return to the United
States to be mustered out. At the
same time they are most ofithem glad
they came, and will carry through their
lives valuable memories of their Gu
ban soldering.
Whatever may be the concert and
character OF the criticisms launched
against General Alger as secretary of
war In the United States think 1t safe
to say that but few of these volunteers
from Cuba will join the chorus. Next
to the name Of William Mckinley. the
President so universally esteemed by
them. stands In their praise the name
or the secretary Of war. 1t may be
said that they know nothing of the
facts In the case made against him, but
that is farcical thing to say. These
men arc as rule. well educated, sem
sible. newspaper reading young Ameri-
ccnS Their eagerness to devour the
contents of magazine articles and news
papers coming into camp from any part
of the Union Is one of the omnipresent
manifestations of theic camp life. They
understand the facts developed By the
press, by Congress and by the various
investigating commissions about as
well as the average congressman or
journalist Of the states, besides having
had from eight to ten months actual
experience under the administration OF
the war office. They have slept in the
tents. handled the guns. fed on the ra-
lions, been dosed with the medicines
and have right to their opinions or
all the points urged against the wisdom,
humanity and sufflclency OF the provi-
sions made for their welfare.
It Is pleasant, therefore, after talking
with numberless volunteers In these
regiments, haiiing from north and
SOUTH east and west, to hear them,
when asked: What DO YOU think of
Alger?" reply with eagerness and en-
thusasm: I
"Alger? Why he's all right. I've
got no kick coming on his account"
And that plain. familiar. American
built response Is n verdict from jury.
man whose sincerity, opportunitie; and
experiences give him u right to be
heard and believed. I want him to be
heard and believed, and that Is why I
write about the matter.
There are absolutely no personal or
partisan reasons why 1 should take up
space on behalf OF General Alger In
this affair. l do not owe my place in
the army to his favor, and politically
our courses have been contrary one to
the other. Yet, ! am 4 square-toed
American. and like fair-play in any sort
or a'iight. The vehemence and coher-
ency OF the conspiracy to run Alger
into his hole" has seemed to me most
evident. was curious to know II there
was any basis for this crusade In the
current sentiment of the soldiers, and.
so far rs I have been able to do so
among the soldiers now in Cuba, can
safely state there Is no such feeling
or sense of outrage. On the contrary,
the soldiers feel that Secretary Alger
has been faithful In his care for them,
that he has sought to use the machln-
cry of his department to minimize
and not to aggravate their expected OK
pericnccs, and that no lack OF comforts
In camp. on transport or In garrison Is
chargcnble to his Indifference. neglect
or lack OF administrative energy.
Scarcely any OF us wero ever in n war
before this one. but II the stories told
OF the civil war by veterans Of both
sides of that struggle are not fearfully
exaggerated. the soldiers Of to-day have
had godfather In Alger.
Inc AilicIicali peOple are honest at
heart and ch!valrous In conduct. When
they know the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth from these
returning volunteers. they will be
ashamed to have taken stock In the vir-
ulent assaults OF the bomb-proof edl-
tors and stay-at-home brgadlers seek
ing to make Secretary Algcr the scapc-
goat OF their venom against the Pres
ident. and his conduct OF war which
they could have scarcely wished to see
successful