The times., 1899-01-16
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1899.


II ought to be source of qualification
to President Mckinley that the leading
press Of the country has with nearly a
unanimous voice assumed that he would
DO and do at once the obviously right
and necessary thing in connection with
the Eagan outrage, and subject the OBJ
scene disgrace of the American Army 10 a
court t-martial. Mr.. Mckinley should dis
tinctly understand that this newspaper at
titude has been assumed in spite of the
most distinct and widespread assertions
on the part of the Alger- -Eagan-C Corbin
ring that he has been seen" and fixed
in favor OF scheme TO protect Eagan, and
at the same time, if possible. TO besmirch
the general commanding The army.
Under the circumstances of this peculiar
case the President is under some obliga-
tion to the press for the confidence 1t has
SO far shown in his sense of dignity and
honor. II has been not so hard for it
10 do so for the simple reason that an i'm
preston prevails TO the effect that the
real infamy underlying the whole matter
has been carefully concealed from him.
and that he still reposes faith in persons
who have been found out by everybody
else.
1t IS time, however, that he should
wake up TO the facts and to the burning
Indignation which is felt throughout the
country. IN any other army in the world
the blackguard who should say things
such as Eagan uttered before the Alger
Relief Commission would be degraded ard
kicked cut Of the establishment within
twenty-four hours, and in most countries
would be given a term in a military Irison
tc boot.
We need not go beyond that cons!dera-
tion in showing the Commau ier-in- Chief
where he stands II is not only unneces-
sary but improper 10 assign any reason
beyond the one that Eagan has covered
his commission and uniform with unut-
terable filth, to indicate that ne should be
expelled from the service. as he already
has been frcm the society of gentlemen.
II Eagan had remained quiescent there
might be other grounds upon which he
should be called to account, and it is
morally certain that there would have
been occasion for a court of inquiry in
connection with matters which for weeks
have been the common gossip of the War
Department. All such thing should be
left for consideration when the facts are
presented through the proper channel.
At present there is a single duty pre-
sented in the case, and that is to order a
court martial forthwith. This duty in
wolves the secondary one of constituting
The court in a way to command national
confidence in its Integrity and freedom
from departmental coercion. 1t would not
do to make it up entirely OF the friends of
Pagan, as might possibly be done. since
there are said to be just about enough
officers like him 10 go around the table
a mistake OF that kind was made in favor
of Alger when the Alger Relief Commis-
sion was formed. and it has not resulted
pleasantly TO the Administration.
What is wanted is a court martial made
up Of officers and gentlemen; men with
clean records and regulations, and not OF
persons of the sort who have been com
PEELED 10 leave army posts for cheating at
cards, or have been accused of the crime
for which lynching is the remedy in the
South. or who have been publicly horse
whipped in San Francisco Such people
might BE- useful for whitewashing purposes
but they viii not do for the court and Jury
in question.
The country waits and the army waits.
What are you going 10 do about il. Mr..
President?