The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-14
Gen. EAGAN IS REBUKED
The War investigating Commission Passes
q Vote Of Censure.
HIS TESTIMONY WAS RETURNED 10 alM
~ He Expursa,es the vituperntive
Phrases He Mny Resnbnif II II
lie Chooses.

NeStXating commission To-Day LOOK prompt
action on the sensational testimony sub
mitted TO It yesterday by Commissary
General Eagan aud sent the statement In
cooperating his testimony back to him
with the privilege OF resubmitting It II he
chooses to revise its language. Further
than this, the commission determined II
could not and should not proceed
| The commission regrets that General
/ Eagan proceeded as far as he did. and 1t
| is explained today that the vitupsraive
nature of the testimony was a complies
| surprise to the commission and that but
| for the rapidity with which General Eagan
read his long statement and the absorbing
vehemence OF its delivery he would have
been checked at the time.
One member of the commission said to-
day that he was about to move that the
witness be called to order, but decided
not to. believing from the heated way in
which Eagan spoke such peremptory Az
ton might precipitate some controversy
| The matter was taken up In executive
session by the committee yesterday and
ex- Governor Woodbury. OF Vermont Intro
duoed motion substantially like that
made public today and the rejection of the
| testimony az II stands vas unanimously
| voted at the executive session preceding
today's public session.
| AT this time there was considerable dis
cussion on the point OF the use of such
language as taking advantage of the wit,
ness stand but the general opinion was
expressed that the course taken in not in
terferipg with the testimony in Its deliv-
cry, and then carefully considering Its
propriety, was the best.
At the time of the creation of the COM
mission the president in instructing the
commission verbally assured the mem
bers that all witnesses would be immune
from punishment for what they might say
before that body. but members of the COM
mission say 1t never was intended to In
dulgc such language as that given ut
terance to yesterday. What further steps
may be taken In the matter, save as to tho
acceptance or rejection of the revised
statement, II one is submitted. lies with
out the scope OF the commission. II the
statement is returned with the vitupera
tive and Objectionable language entirely
stricken out and with only temperate and
conservative Language used, the commits
sion will accept 1t and consider 1t as tes-
timony.
While the action taken today was unan-
imous, there were three of the members
absent President Dodge, Colonel Sexton
and Ex-Governor Beaver. two being i'll
with the grip and the other. Governor Bea-
yer, having business h Pennsylvania de-
tanning him.
Colonel DENLY, the ex minister to China
presided and at the executive session to-
day expressed himself very vigorously,
dispatchiag Major Miles, the official re-
corder. over 10 Commissary General Ea-
gan with the rejected testimony I'm
mediately after he had signed the accom-
panying letter.
This was signed during General Woods
testimony and was made public inlme--
dintely after the papers had been placed
in General Eagan's hands
Following is the commissions letter:
Brigadier general c. p. Eagan. Commits
sary General War Department
Washington. y. G.. January 1S.-Sr: We
respectfully Inform you that after y-ur
testimony was read yesterday the follow
ing resolution was unanimously passed;
Moved that the commission receive
ment. that it be not printed at once, but
held for the consideration Of the commits
sion. Carried"
Having now considered the questions
involved, We have determined that in
many instances the vituperative language
used by you WAS not such as ought to- have
been addressed as witness to this body
We think that the personal attacks and
irrelevant statements contained in 1.-THE
papers submitted should be eliminated and
before receiving II as testimony we re-
quest that you will revise Its Language,
and If you choose sesubmit 1t for our con-
We herewith return your papers. Very
respectfully. Charles DENLY,
Vice President.
The war investigating commission prob |
ally will close the taking of testimony by
he latter part of next week and Its re-
sort IL expected to be finished by tho last
" this mon:i, or early in February.