New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-14
EAGAN SEVERELY REBUKED.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMISSION SENDS
bis STATEMENT BACK TC HIM
FOR EXPCRGATIcN.

Washington Jan 13-The War Investigating
Commission to-day took prompt action on the
sensational testimony submitted TO 1t yesterday
by Comnissary- General Eagan. and sent the
statement incorporating his testimony back 10
him. with the privilege Of resubmitting it II he
chooses to revise the language. Further than
this the Commission determined that 1t could
not and should not proceed The following Is
the text Of the letter sent to General Eagan:
Washington. January 10. 1890
Brgadier- General c. P. Eagan, Commissary-
General War Department
Sir: We respectfully inform YOU tha' ate
your testimony read yesterday the follow
ing resolution was unanimously passed; -o,
Moved INA, me Titbnut comment. that il be
NOT nript cd at once but held for the coDsidera-
ton of the Commission Carried. ,.,.o,,.od
we have determined that in many instances the
yituperative language used by you was not sucn
a ought to have been addressed as WlI vi,
IN this Board We think that the personal at
tacks and irrelevant statements contained-ir the
papers submitted should be eliminated ana pc
fore receiving II AS testimony we request Inae
Won will revise its language, and II you choose
resuhr1it II for our consideration. We herewith
return your papers Very respectfully.
CHARLES DENLY Vice-President'
The Commission regrets that General Eagan
procee ded as far as he did. and 1t Is explained
to-day that the vtuperative nature of the testi-
the rapidty 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 10 order. but decided not to do so. be-
leving from the heated way in which General
Eagan spoke such peremptory action might pre-
ciptate a controversy.
The matter was taken up in executive session
by the Commission yesterday Immediately after
General Eagan finished his testimony, ana eX-
Governor Woodbury. introduced a motion sub
stantially like that made public to-day ana the
rejection of the testimony as II stands was
unanimously voted at the executive session pre-
ceding to-day's public session. At this time
there was considerable discussion in regard to
the use Of such language as taking advantage Of
the wtness-stand but the general opinion was
EXPRESSED that the course taken in not inter
fering with the testimony during its delivery and
then carefully considering its proprety was the
best
At tho ,imo Of the creation Of the Commits
sion the President verbally assured the me mhers
that all witnesses would he immune from pun
ishmont for what they might say before that
body but members Of the Commission say II
rever was Intended 10 indulge In such language
as that given utterance to Yesterday. What
further steps may he taken in the matter. eX-
cept as to the acceptance or rejection or re-
vised statement. If one is submitted lie with
ont tho scopc Of the Commissions work. While
the action taken to-day was unanimous. there
we're three absent members, President Dodge
Colonel Sexton and Ex-Governor Beaver. colonel
DENLY presided and expressed himself vgor-
ouslv sending Maior Mills. the official recorder,
10 General Eagan with the rejected testimony
Immediately after he had signed the accompany
in" letter.