Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
EAGAN Is SAFE, but


ter's embalmed beef charge was
such a oalumny that his Eagan's)
righteous indignation got the bet
ter OF him. The testimony before the
beef court, however, goes TO show that
there was a good deal of foundation for
the allegation that Eagan had cores
pended with contractors about preserva-
tive processes for beef. and that he al
tered the contracts so as to admit or the
use OF preserved beef for the army under
a guarantee of sweetness for only twenty
four hours instead Of seventy-two. More
over several witnesses testified that
Eagan told them that he could
not make contracts for beef on
the hoof. but was compelled TO
purchase canned or refrigerated beef
In other words. Eagan declared that he
was not free agent in the matter OF
making beef contracts
All this. SAYS q New York contempt
rary indicates that Eagan's excuse Of
righteous Indignation under a false
charge for his violent language was a
falsehood; also. that the President, when
he modified the court-martial's verdict OF
dismissal from the army to siX-years'
vacation at full pay. was acting under
misapprehenslon. Our contemporary
therefore, thinks that there may be some
thing in the talk in Washington OF an
other court-martal for Eagan.
Unquestionably, Eagans plea in extern
uation that he had been illuminated APP
pears to have been completely knocked
ont by the developments before the beer
court. and our contemporaries deduction
as to the character Of that plea would
seem logical. But talk about again court
martialling Eagan will strike the ave-
rage reader as little less than absurd.
Were such q thing possible any further
proceedings in Eagdn's case would be
liable TO take the form OF twelye-years'
vacation on double pay rather than that
Of another court-martia. If Eagan's
sense of humor Is commensurate with the
violence Of his temper. he must have In
dulged in uproarious hilarity when he
saw the suggestion that he would be
cOurt-martialled again as the result OF
the beef court" inquiry. The same rea-
son that holds good against the rumors
that the President will unload Alger dis
credits the report of a second Eaean
court martial. Further fooling with
Eaean would bo a dangerous piece OF
business The manner in which that
worthy was handled by the beef court
showed plainly that the court did not
oil
knows He was switched off whenever he
manifested a disposition to 90 deeper
than the immediate or surface issue
which was the quality OF the beef fur
nished to the army. The court even tried
| to prevent Eagan from discriminating
himself as far as he did, but his volu-
bnity ran ahead Of the efforts in that line.
| Eagan is vicious and vindictive or no
thing. and it is not to be doubted that
were he put on trial again he would tell
| fully why he was not a free agent in
making the beef contracts. That is 10
say he would disclose the names of al!
J whose behests he obeyed, or who weTt in
any wise responsible for his acts, even to
the highest
Oh no; IT is hardly possible that Eagan
will be brought to the front again and in
terfe1ed with further. If his own state
ments to the beef court and those Of the
witnesses who testified as to what he
/ told them prove anything, it is that from
! the standpoint of the administration and
its advisers it would be wise TO encour-
age Eagan to spend his siX-years' vaca-
ton
I'm some vast wilderness,
Some boundless contiguity Of shade
Another court-martiallng Of Easan
would mean. there is reason to believe, an
exposure that the powers that be could
not stand. Hence, it is safe to conclude
that Eagan has no cause to lose sleep
over the Washington talk. At the same
time, we question not that sooner or
later the people will get at the fountain
head Of the corruption that has dis
graced the conduct Of the war I'm 50 many
directions, and visit just retribution on
all who have been contaminated. There
is growing demand among the masses
that when the administration IN
vestigation farces are over Con-
gress shall take hold of the mat
ter. And this demand should be
stimulated by the leaders Of the Demo-
cratic party-the party Of the people
even to the point of making investiga-
ton by an impartial congressional COM
mission an issue in the next presidential
) campaign, II the present Congress fails
TO do its duty in the premises.