The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-13
orpoRr OF WAR COMMISSION.
.rprxcEs MADE TO MILES ARE
HI Most NOTICEABLE.

If the Generals Course in
aitiDg Too Long to Tell ADOut
,oa Reef-NO Corruption Found
u" ,action with Any Contract.
,napdation of the War Depart
ucuort Indicates Things
name as Well as Possible.
junction. Feb l2.-The report sub
e3 ~ The President last wednesday
nm commission appointed by him to in
...ieate the conduct of the war depart
lin the war with Spain was made pub
lie tonight.
rt. reoort is an unanimous one, all the
hers Of the commission having Signed
:. cent Col. Sexton, whose death oc-
~ nrred Feb. A. At its close it says:
o1t is with profound regret that tha com
.,..;,,, reports that during its later ses-
,,or COL James \. Sexton was prevented
~ sickness from being present, and on
r.b 4 orr beloved colleague closed an hon.
ored and active life"
The report is a voluminous document
.or,aininc about 5000 words, and an Of
eoal abstract prepared by the secretary
q the commission was furnished to the
nrass for its convenience. After
aotaune the composition of the commits
son the general methods pursued, the
svnopsis furnished the press says:
Scope of the Examination.
"rbe commission resolved that all
charges specifically brought before 1t
81 1,1s min
lion Of witnesses who had. or professed to
have knowledge of the facts involved in
such charges.
examination of witnesses the strict rules
If evidence as applied in legal proceed
mos should not be adhered TO- but consid-
ar3hle latitude should be allowed. While,
therefore. in general, the rules of evidence
have been followed, we have not hesitated
n relax their application when thought ad-
visable.
"During our sessions we examined 49o
Witnesses All of these were sworn or
affirmed except one, who declined 10 take
the oath. Our purpose, in the discharge
of our duties, was to arrive at the facts
touching the conduct of the war, ana no
effort was spared by US to reach that le-
sult We have examined the Secretary of
War: The commanding general; heads OF
departments, officers of corps, divisions,
brigades regiments companies, non-com-
mssioned officers and privates; nurses
and persons from many employments in
private life No man or woman who has
stated to us that he or she had any ma
terial matter touching the subject of our
inquiry to communicate has been refused
q hearing.
Testimony Taken Everywhere.
Testimony has been taken in Washing
ton D. c.; Jacksonville, Fla; Fort Nc
Pherson, Ga; Admission, Ala; Huntsville,
Ala: Chattanooga, Tenn; Knoxville,
Tenn. Lexington, KY; Chicago, ILL.,; Gin
cnnad, o.; Detroit, Mich; Harrisburg,
Pa; New York city, Boston, Burlington,
VI; Tampa, Fla and Fernandina, Fla.
The commission visited in person most of
the old camps; Jacksonville, which was
occupied by the Seventh Corps; the sites
Of the camps at Tampa, Fernandina and
Camp Thomas; the new camps at Annis-
ton, where the First division of the Fourth
Corps was located Huntsville. where the
Second and Third divisions and cavalry
division of the Fourth Corps were locat-
ed Knoxville, where the Second division
of the First Corps was located; LeXing-
ton where the headquarters and First
division of the corps were encamped, and
Camp Meade where the Second Corps was
encamped
Al all of these places we have invited
every person to come before us and testify
who could throw any light On the con-
duct of the war department in any of its
branches.
Not Dishonest Dollar.
Any charge OF corruption or intima-
uon OF fraud or bribery in connection
win the letting of any contract, even a
mint OF wroing-doing, has been carefully
investigated.
may be said now, at the beginning
Vi THIS report, that there has been no evil
ueuce before us that any one in or con-
nec'eo with the war department has dis
honestly received dollar. We have made
persistent efforts TO secure the attendance
OF persons to whose names runnor had at
tdcheu an allegation that they knew of
corruption of officials in the war depart-
-, put these men have either denied
,,.e!ta' ilerts attributed to them or have
-ialiItaihed silence when invited to tell
what they knew"
.4 cure proceeding to specific descrip-
tb o' " .he conduct and MANAGEMENT of
s,,o- "aI, the report gives comments and
wbio, o touching certain matters
cal co,1H allie uIlder consideration as a logi-
e.e commission. Referring to the o,,estioI,
u .I Teured officers, the report saws:
or Choer existing laws, the officers Of the
Of ei are retired when they reach the AGE
Oh d. 1t does not appear reasonab ,se t hs9
Oh %a arbitrary law should prevent durire
oIe existence of war, the use Of exnerie
age" 'H account OF their
vi" Oihcers Worked Best.
cornrois..Ilt yer OF regimentaI officers the
r rUmllillSslon found that all volunteer com
, narto othcered by men of military ex-
t peaiehce and training Jared much better
Thn tnose differed by amateurs
ca m soldiers We're more effectiveiv
ana Tor enjoyed better health
Goa ~ We're better clothed ana
~ ne commission recommends for the
a u.uie strict examination into the ouaIi-
arr a.,on oil all officers appointed 10 the
r1 MY regular or volunteer The establish
reri1.- Oh schools of instruction for mex
- nd officers taken from civilian life
We "eet the emergency created bv the
ber - nlShy commended Quite a num-
co,,- vi regular officers assigned to the
e0,nIland Of volunteer troops adopted This
tory. e iesults We're satistac-