West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-01-26
Our WASHINGTON Letter.
A Court Martial for Gen. EaSan.
discussing the Army Biz III the
House


House
Correspondence OF TIE Argus.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 2l. 1899 -
No man deserves any credit Tor
doing the proper thing under COM
pulslon, and there never was
rlearer ease of official action under
compulsion than MIR. Mckinley's
order for the court martial of Com
missiry General Eagan, for his
filthy abuse of Gen. Miles. MIR.
Mckinley was disposed TO allow
Secretary Alger to try TO hush il up
IN his own way, which would not
have huShed it up at all. until he
began to hear from influential men
OF his party, in Congress and all
over the country. Therefore he
deserves no credit for doing when
he found it absolutely necessary
what should have been done the
day that Eagan's filth was dunn ped
upon the public. Although he has
been turned down, Alger has not
resigned, and those who know him
best do not believe that he will.
unless forced by Mr.. Mckinley to
do so. The court martial is bound
to fud Edgan guilty. and the pun
ishment is dismissal from the
army. Whether Mr.. Mckinley
will dare to modify that sentence,
Is yet to be seen.
-"
Senator German has { tken charge
of the Democratic opposition to the
ratification of the treaty. unless it
Is so amended as to make it i'm
possible for this country TO perma-
nently govern the Philippines. AT
n meeting presided over by Mr..
German all the Democratic Sena-
tors. except six, we're present, and
decided to work together.
-
Senator Bacon made strong
speech in favor Of his resolution
declaring the policy of this goYsrn
an mt to be against controlling the
FiIipinos by force. The keynote of
ms speech was the following: "Of
all the great powers of the earth
The government 0f the United
States is the only one that con-
tends for the right in all people Of
self government. When they a5au-
don in practice this principle, when
they impose their domiaion on an
unwilling people, in the majestic
snarch Of free institutions, the hand
upon the great dial of the clock of
the world will have been set back
slu hundred years"
-"
Senator Butler, of North Caro-
lima, got the Schley- sampson con-
troyeFsy before tho Senate for a
few minutes by Offering rosolu-
ton when the nomination of those
two officers to be Rear Admirals
were reached, in executive session,
calling upon the President for his
reasons for making the promotions.
1t was a very diplomatic discussion,
especial care being taken by the
friends OF each OF the officers to
avoid offending those of the other.
Action on the resolution was de-
fcrred ON account of the absence of
senator Hale. who is Chairman Of
the Naval Committee. The object
of the resolution is to show that
Sampson and Schley were both
promoted, because Sampson could
not be promoted for what was done
by Schley, if Schey was not also
moved mp. According TO all the
official reports. Schley did nothing
TO be prono,ed for.
-
Senator Sullvan's amendment
20 the Nicaragua Canal, limiting
30 50, 200, 600 the amount to be tho
Maritime Canal Company, as com
pvnsation for its coAcession or re-
endorsement for its work, struck
the Senate as being so sensible and
timely that 1t Was adopted without
q division, before the bill was
passed.
It's not difficult to point out
defects iu the naval bin pissed by
ho House ihis week. Some Of
thom. notably tho premiam that
will Dr offered for retirement on
three quarters pay Of officers. were
pointed ont by Representative
Bailey, but The order to jam the
bill through was obeged, as usual.
10y the m tjorl'y. The best feature
about tho OIL is that which will
pat an end 10 the clsshiug be,ween
the $40 ciasscs IF naval officers
the lioe. and The engineer officers
10y putting them 900 iu ono class.
The bill increases the p1y Of u4vH
,o,licers, On the plea Of cQualizino
,thom with army officers 10 increases
uhe Marine Corps by 1.3OO men.