The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-11
CAPT j. r. u. STUART ON GEN ALGER
A Defence of the Late Secretary of War
AKninst Various Accusations.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUS-Sir: At the
| beginning OF the War Secretary AlRer was
charged with errors In the selection OF volun-
teer offlcerst with errors In the selection OF
camp sites; with failure to provide suitable
and sufficient food and equipment; with being
personally interested in Army contracts. and
| with iavoring railroads In the transportation
| oftroops.
wish to invite the attention OF the thinking
people OF this country to another view OF this
subject First. when war with Spain was de-
| clared. n large number OF officers were needed
at once. The majority of these commissions
were issued upon the recommendation OF the
| Senators. Represen tatives and Governors OF
| the different States. They, in turn. were in
| huenced by the representative men OF the dif-
| ferent States. or by personal acquaintance with
| the applican ts themselves. | submit that IL Is
| not reasonable to expect that Secretary Alger
| should have made all these appointments from
a personal knowledge Of the fitness and capac-
ity for military service OF the applicants Trial
| alone could determine their fitness No rail-
road president. man ufacturer. or employer OF
men. could select the same number OF men in
| the same period oftime and make no Mistakes.
Secondly some Of the camp sites were found
| to be unsuitable for large bodie s OF troops
Most OF those were recommended after perso-
dents Of the place would have been %t m iss
each OF these sites. and even IL he had done
40. he could not have foretold the amount OF
cality., It was necessary to concentrate the
Army In the south during the sickly season.
to neTfn ffe S2de
llve In camp without the conveni ences OF home
life. and enjoy the same health they had at
Thirdly, the ration for the regular army is
hxed by Congress. At the time, this was done
tropics; was not contemplated. The pre-
scribed ration could only be changed by Con-
When S he 10 Vim in
store Of provisions the demand was so sudden
and SO heavy that large Quantities were pur
the heat OF the southern climate some Of these
provisions deterioated. Was this the fault OF
Foprthly. he has been accused OF being inter-
ested In Army contracts, yet none Of his accus-
nor have ! secn any testimony to such elect
from any OF tho numerous witnesses who have
accusations had had any foundation would
not ms enemies have produced some evidence
the absence of proof is it not fair to assume that
they are simply slanders2
Fifthly. during the concentration OF the diff
ierent bodies OF troops. many changes OF plans
we're necessary These changes were due
partly to the uncertainty as to the plans Of the
enemy; partly to the desire to avoid risking
the health OF troops by transportation to Cuba
unless necessary for the conduct Of the war
OF sick ness.
Sixthy mistakes were made but is it right
70 saddle all the mistakes OF an undertaking as
large as the last war upon the shoulders OF any
one official?
, am great believer in the final Justice OF
the American people, and believe that when
due allowances have been made for all circum-
stances connected with the war. the sudden
ness and lack of preparation. their final YER
dict wi be that Secretary Algcr did all IN his
power to take care of the volunteers and save
their health and lives
The foregoing is the conclusion arrived at
BY the writer after eight months service in the
Volunteer Army. j. T.. Is STUART
Late. CAPTAIN and Commissary of Subsistence
L. s. Volunteers.
NEWPORT NEWS. Va, Aug T.