The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-13

Der "A. electsng Gen. Grenville M Dodge.
president: Hon. Charles Denyy, vice pre-
sident. and Mr.. Richard Weigntman Sec
retary. Gen James A. Beaver was dasig-
mated TO conduct the examination OF wit
nesses; Lieut. Col. F.. e. jones chief
quartermaster OF volunteers was detailed
by the war department as disbursing Of
fcer and MAJ. Stephen c. Mills, L. s. A.
was appointed by the president as re-
corder.
ION Monday, the 18th OF September. the
commission convened in regular session.
Arrangements were made TO admit 10 the
room six journalists, three OF them rep
resenting the three established press
sociations. Having only two rooms at
their disposal, the committee could not
throw these open to the public indiscrinl-
inately. All the newspapers in the couu-
try, however had access through the
press associations, TO the examination OF
witnesses and the American people We're
served. in respect Of the proceedings OF
the commission, exactly as they are
served in all other matters of public in-
terest from dag to day.
All Complaints Forwarded To Them.
Among the first acts of the commission
was 10 ask the secretary of war. the ad-
futant general. the Quartermaster general.
the commissary general and the surgeon
general TO transmit all the complaints re-
tion Of their respective departments. This
request was promptly complied with and
from that time forth all complaints were
forwarded 10 the commission Immediately
upon their receipt at the war department.
Public Invited to Testify.
I'm further pursuance OF this prepar-
atory measure the commission on Sep
tember q. made public invitation through
the press TO all persons having knowledge
or belief Of any official wrong or derelic-
tien, 10 submit their statements in writ
Ing, accompanied BY such collateral
proof or information might be at their
disposal. This invitation met with a lib
erai response. Hundreds OF affidavts,
letters. newspaper clippings. editorial ar
ticies and sermons were received ali OF
which were thoroughly and laborously
investigated as viii appear in the testi-
mony taken by the commission and the
various exhibits and appendices TO 90
published hereafter.
Reports OF the Bureau Chiefs.
Next, the secretary of war was re-
Guested TO direct the various chiefs OF
departments under him 10 furnish the
commission with a statement OF the con-
dition or their respective departments al
the outbreak OF the war and the opera
tions OF the Same during the period OF
hostihties
This communication recited in detail
the subjects on which information was
desired, comprising facts touching the
mobilization OF troops and their orsani-
cation. the amount and kind OF camp and
garrison equippage on hand AT the begin
ming 81 the war; the amount subsequently,
purchased: similar Information with re-
gard To furnishing the troops with arms
and accoutrements; information of how
the volunteer regiments were armed and
|. equipped in the various state camps. how
the location Of the camps OF general rem
devious was determined, full particulars
"a 10 the transportation Of troops. am ac-
count of the quality. quantity and kind Of
food furnished. information 10
tentage. beds linens medicines and
all other necessities for the hospi-
tas: 10 whether the nledi
cal staff was efficient ami as to the condI-
lions and operations or the engineer and
ordinances departments.
These statements. promptly and intel
ligentIy made. were OF great service IN
the investigation Of the character OF text
and reference books.
All Charges Were Investigated.
Having thus arranged the preliminary
matters which seemed advisable TO Re
determined the commission resolved that
all charges specifically brought before il
should - made the basis ~ the sxamn-
alton of witnesses who had. ar protessed
- have know ledge of the facts involved
Ia such charges.
IT VAS further determined that in the
examination az witnesses the strict rules
OF evidence As applied in legal proceedings
/ shouid net SO adhered 30, but considerable
Iasitude should 10 allowed.
Nearly Five Hundred Witnessed
While therefore, IN general. tse rules
II evidence have been followed we have
s,..- fss - rel ssr.e.
- shsa though. a3visaele. Dgr.ng our Sec
ssars pe have examined So Witnesses All
q faesn were sworn Og affirmed except cne.
wac declined 20 take the cath. The chia.
examination WIS conducted br tha raern-
hs- designated tor that purpoze. pa. each
witness was tnterrcEated by every Eaerl-
her q ta~ commission who aAetred to 20 50.
sol. furpose TO Arrive Facts.
"Qar purpose 81 tie discharge nf Our
| 50.ies wss 80 syrtTa ri ths facts touching
80 ccraacf ~ ire ~ar an3 10 effort vas
spared by us 20 reach that rysU}t we
haze examined the secretary % w8r. the
c9z1E agss1fHE gsArssgsl heals 0g depart
nsauts afaeers q corps 3iv.a!aas hrl.
| gates regiments ana ccFnpsH5es. ncr-corT3-
rriss.aneet officers aad Tf3satss. fgs5rses and
! pe~se0s from many srnn.ex7-erts ~ p-a-
yac@ Nfa No alau or woman VINO has
sts.s al to ~ that he or she Aas aoy Tn@.ts-
rial matter togeh.nE the slHSact % our Ia
,safry 10 Communicate has been rst4&e,l a
hearing
All the members ~ taa carnrs 5Sz.on
have }aea engaged IN tA&gax teszfrnoav. Il
ass hzTsFsenssi tb&f sso->9rFssEa4 tfses have
/ te~n SccupEa3 n bearing @ita%Ssss AZ four
.Gerxut places a. 1he S&E2s tsnne-
The Camps Inspected.
| 'Tae commission visited n psTSo0 gas:
* fas oza oaaags.
As a yuls. shc insr%ctioz vas ros 0r@y g
| - g44ups. but O. tTDr .ss a@a sspEsas sai
rp~a valuable isteersat4er VS. aeta sSe1
/ ~ co1:Ses wte ot*nsFs ss1a en-lste8 raaB.
Al ~ - these paaess we hAye sav te8.
l GEsaslzzzsz wsia zs~c-x4 instStsEscA. Sge.y