The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-08-03
\. N.ALGER'SFAREVELL
Retiring War Secretary De-
tends His Administration.
ANSWER TO HIS CRITICS.

.uies the Charges That Omccrs For
Inc Volunteer Army Were Selected
through Political Influence and Asks
THAT HSs Accounts BE Made Public.
Washington. Aug. Lone of the
t official acts of Secretary Alger,
ho today relinQuished his portfolio.
Is to prepare statement covering
yeral matters regarding the conduct
the war which have been the sub
ct of criticism in the public press,
lrticularly with reference to the ap-
ointment of staff officers In the volun-
er army. The statement follows:
Il am led to make the following
atement on account Of the many crit
isms which have been made by the
ublic press. and especially on ac-
bunt OF a recent article which ap-
Jared In the London Times contain
g assertions which have no founda-
on of truth.
AT the commencement Of the war
ith Spain. and for several years prior
that time, the regular army con-
Isted Of only $4,000 men. with the
inimum number Of ofiicers prescribed
law. The situation can be partial
appreciated when It is remembered
bat within so days from the declara-
lon Of war the strength Of the army
Eas increased to 275.000 men, and
verything for the equipment Of this
reat force, including clothing. tents.
tansportation, medical supplies. camps
md camp eQuipage. and all that per-
bins to equipping an army for SER
tce. had to be manufactured. trans
|orted and distributed for use.
From the statement referred to the
Sublic might be led to believe that the
kolunteer army was oflcered by men
elected through political influence by
be secretary Of war by special favor.
md without any regard for fitness for
be duties they were to perform. As Is
yell known, the volunteer force. with
he exception Of three regiments Of
ngineers, three regiments Of cavalry
Ind ten regiments Of immune infantry.
Fas made up of regiments from the
(srious states. the ofhcers Of which
Iere all appointed exclusively BY the
Iovernors Of the respective states
tom which the regiments came, and
my oflcer found united for service
Ind discharged was replaced BY an.
ther in the same manner. The presi-
|sut had no voice or control in the
batter. g.
For q little over Q thousand ap-
Untments made By the president the
humber Of applications was over 2s.-
no. and each application was accom-
banied by q certificate Of bis ability.
b the number appointed there were
\ major generals. Of whom 10 were
aiken from the regular army and seven
fom civil life. OF these seven oil but
bne were graduates Of West Point mill
)tary academy. and al had distin-
rushed themselves i'd c6mmihd' dur
ng the civil war. OF rhrigadier gen
rails there were 1o2 appointed. SC
bonn the regular army, and IS from
kivil lifs." Those from civil. life had
IN seen service during the civil war
br on ovr western frontier. and all had
broveo themselves competent to COM
hand.
1T has been stated. and repeated
many times, that the secretary Of war
made these appointments. when the
ruth Is that very few were made upon
bis recommendation. I would be only
loo glad to have had the honor to
have made these apointmpents. No
better. no more loyal or more patriotic
bet Of men as Q whole ever served their
ountry, and their appointments were
b credit not only to the appointing
power, but to the country they served.
Criticisms as to the amounts and
methods Of expenditures which could
Imply the wrong or careless use Of
money were also made BY the London
Times. This charge is false. So far
v the conduct Of the service was con-
ferned no person with any knowledge
f the facts can ever charge truthfully.
hnd no ono can ever show that q dol
Jar was misappropriated. stolen or en-
|bezxled out Of the hundreds Of mill
pions of dollars that were expended.
The records are an open book. and !
will be glad to have them rigidly exam.
|lned and ask my successor to open
those accounts to the country when
ever properly called for. in order that
kbe entirs truth may be known"