The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-18

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such statements are untrue and unworthy
/ OF moro emphatic denial His statement
/ reilects upon the honor of every officer In
| the department who has contracted for or
| purchased this meat aid especially and
| particularly OF the commissary general
! myself
| In conclusion General Earnn declared
on oath that the secretary OF war had
nothing whatsoever TO do with Tho turn sn.
| Ing of refrigerated or timed meats nor
! has he In any way whatsoever controlled
or attempted TO control contracts, tho
awards or purchase OF these articles
| General Eagan sums up HIS whole con
clusion and finishes hoping that his suitc-
ment will Offset the statements made BY
General Miles, and Will IN some measure
at least do Justice 10 those that have been
wronged
There was u good dcnl OF speculation
as to the composition Of n court martial
to try General Eagans case Genoiai
practice Is tor II majority snf court 10
consist or the peers or superiors lin rank
OF the defendant. This would make the
task al selecting a court hard one bu-
caise IL rs not easy to make sufficient
number OF general officers ranking With
a brigadier general TO mako UP II c3urt
martial. But the latitude lis permitted the
appointing authority Iii such selections.
No officer shall. when n can be avoided,
be tried by officers inferior lii rank,
II win be noticed that tho phrase, II It
can be avoided, leaves opportunity for the
appointment OF junior officers. The, men.
ton OF General Merritt's name us president
is due To the fact that no is The only
available major general of the army. 9th
srs being General Brooke at Havana and
Miles here. Neither are regarded az avail
able. The friends OF General Merritt here
are hoping that he will not be selected,
fearing that he will be accused OF preju-
fra hv nt,a ,arbp hnt "a H.a +
The penalty for the offensc with which
General Eagan probably will be tried, con-
duct unbecominG All officer and GENTLE
man. Is one OF the most severe known In
the army. being dismissal.
Article 81 reads MS follows: ANY officer
who Ia convicted Of conduct unbecoHing
an officer and gentleman shall be dis
missed from the service"
VI the court shall find General Eagan
guilty. even with extenuating circnm-
stances, they must attach this sentence,
then the only hope for the officer viii be
~ the exercise OF clemency By the presi-
don't based perhaps upon the courts rec
Secretary Alger tonight confirmed the
made by the members today
that tho court martial for the trial of
ccmmlssary General Charles y. Engan Will
be ordered He made this statement as he
was leaving the White House with Adj
Iutant neheral CoFnin after conference
Of half an hour with the president AS
% the charges preferred against the com
nissary general the secretary declined to |
Jay anything nor would he talk respecting
he personnel OF the court, adding that |
his would be announced tomorrow night |
bout o'clock. General Eagan has not |
'et been relieved OF his duties In anticpa-
Ion OF his prospective trial. but II Is un- /
erstood the order for his arrest prepare
DRY to trial viii OF itself carry with 1t |
lis relief from official duty
II was said at the war department today
hat the order for arrest may be served ON |
'eneral Eagan by an officer OF the army
ONE time during the official day tomor-
ow. This then will enable him 10 make
ormal application for the privilege of go
ng beyond the limits which ordinarily
'ouid be done aud permit him to come
the department or to go to any other
lace TO which he may find 1t necessary