Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-09
The Beef Verdict.

The Beef Verdict.
The court of inquiry in the army beef
scandal acqiits the refrigerated beer. but
condemns on some counts the canned beef.
II criticises Eagan for buying too much OF
the canned beef, an untried ration: 1t
crusures Miles and Maus for ueglectiug to
tell about the alleged Unhtness of the beef
promptly and regularly. and it pronounces
thoroughly bIameless only the meat pack
ers. Finally. it finds no sufficiently
guilty To require further proceedings in the
nature of punishment.
The Presidents memorandum of ques-
tinns. submitted 10 the court. is pointed and
searching and well calculated TO elicit the
truth The court of inquiry has evidently
undertaken to answer these questions thor
oughIy and conscientiousIy.
On most points the conclusions reached
by the court meet public opinion and eX-
pectation. II is not strange that on a few
points there should be decided difference of
opinion concerning the degree of sound
judgment shown in weighing the evidence
Courts and juries human and fallible;
and 50 is the tribunal of public opinion
which sits in judgment in the republic as
the court of last resort.
The canned roast beef was absolutely I'M
fit for food in the West Indies campaigns.
sickcned our soldiers. II is of small conse-
quence. If true. that this beef might be
used somewhere else, in conjunction with
other foods and under other conditions.
when it would not be 81 Objectionable. The
overwhelming weight of testimony from our
soldiers. both officers and men. is reflected
in the finding concerning the unfitness of
this ration. 1t is we'll that their evidence
was not disregarded. Public opinion on
this point was fixed.
Censure of Gen. Eagan for vast ''unwar-
rsnted and reckless purchases of this I'M
tried and, as it developed. unfit ration fol-
lows naturally the finding of its unsuitable
ity. Verbally the courts severest criticism
relates to Gen. Eagans colossal error,
Tor which there is no pdliiaton' Public
opinion. which cOncurs III the condemnation
Of the ration fully assents to the justice of
vigorous censure Of the official or officials
responsible for its
The court finds the charge Of chemicaliza-
tirn brought against the refrigerated beef
To be not established The evidence of the
use Of preservatves in connection with This
beef related TO an extremely small percent
age Of the entire supply and was not so
direct clear and convincing as to justify
d verdict of guilty the criminal charge
of poisoning for money our soldiers in the
r.!a fusufficiency of the affirmative evil
d-uce and not any special strength in the
negative evidence, which in part relates 10
present conditions and is to this extent
irrelevant and uncorvincing, will furnish
TO the general public the reasonable foun-
dation of assent 10 the courts verdict ON
this point.
The main disappointment of public ex
recitation concerning the report Is to be
found in its failure 10 crlticise in any par
ticular the meat men who sold TO the gov
eminent the large quantities Of naust atIns
canned beef and the small quantity of sus-
pected chemicalized refrig srated beef The
canned beef is condti1naliy condemned.
the official who recommended its use as
field ration is blamed and the official who
purchased II in large quantities is severely
cersured. but the In-n who got together in
great haste this enormous supply of unfit
and nauseating food are not found To be in
the slightest degree responsible for its de-
fects or for the loss and waste of the gov
ernments money which was paid 10 them
for it
The public generally will indorse reason
able criticism of the irregular course of
General Miles in his method of campaign
ing over the beef issue. But it is easy to
overdo this line of censure. and to get out
VI touch with rea sOnabie public opinion In
following It. The feuds and jealousies and
personal prejudices and ambitions which
explain much that would otherwise seem
mysterious in the relations between Gen
era. Miles and the leading officials of the
War Department are pretty well known by
this time TO the general public. And they
are taken into the account in Weighing
whatever he may say or do in respect to
H--rr1 md hat ne her han tbay-
may say or do in respect 10 him.
II Is well. therefore. that the court did
not enable Gen. Miles to assume the
martyrs robes by proposing his punish
m-nt- 1t acquitted the men accused of
poisoning Uncle Sans soldiers. and there
would have been an obvious iucongruity in
striugiug W the prosecuting witness for
hardness in giving a false alarm. Only d
Gilbert and Sullivan verdict would find that
no murder had been committed and at the
time punish the prosecutor for not
yelling Help, Police soon enough.
The President Of the United States can
and doubtless will utilize the facts ELECTED
by the inquiry for the benefit of the army
and of the people of the republic. The po-
IiIical manoeuvring of the Miles. and anti
Miles factions wisely be dsregarded.
The commander in chief OF the army will
In the light Of the evidence elected upon
the vital point Of the inquiry protect the
soldiers Of the republic against the evil of
unfit food. The Improvement of the ration
for the tropics Ii already in an advanced
stage Of consideration. Either in pocket or
in fame. every one. including the meat
packers. who has been at all responsible
FOR the SuTerings Of our soldiers from unfit
rattOu-, has received some measure Of pun
i~hment. The effect Will be- wholesome.