The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-17
The'Admiaistration in Favor Of Drop
ping the Matter.
THE PUBLIC ARE INDIGNANT
That Court NIartialW Not Ordered
at Oncc-Thc President In an Awk-
ward Prcdicament Senator
Pritchard Introduces n BIN
for Public Building at
Asheviilc.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ls.-special.-Ru
mors OF al kinds in regard to the Miles
Eagan case have been current around the
War Department to-day, out so far as
could be learned no determination had
been reached as 10 whether a court mar
tial would be ordered. Adjutant-Genera
Corbin said this afternoon he had re-
ceiyed no orders In regard to the matter.
and Secretary Aiger declined 10 sly any
thing on the subject. Il is known that
the administration wants neither a caurt
OF inquiry nor a court martial and IL any
possible way exists OF avoiding IT, the
matter will be dropped. Public opinion.
however. as expressed in the press and
in Congress Is almost a unit I'm demand-
ing that the President take prompt e.
fetal notice OF the case 1t Is contended
that General Eagan has disgraced him
self, his office and the army by his
language. without reference To the merits
of the "embalmed" beef controversy and
that he should be brought 10 book.
AN AWKWARD FIX
The administration Is IN an awkward
box any way the case Is viewed. Eagan
and his friends will. Of course. want a
court Of inquiry while Il Is very doubt
ful II the administration will consent to
that court OF inquiry would open tip
the whole beef question. as such ~ourts
arc not bound by narrow limitations IS
I'm the case OF n court martial On IT,
recommendation a court martial some
times follows. but that ls another matter
A court Of inquiry might show up .he
whole beef business from q 10 e. although
as is the case with all military courts. no
civilian can be punished for refusal 10
reply TO questions.
A court martial would be confined to
the specific charge OF conduct unbacOlning
an officers and "A gentleman and would
be confined 10 that charge. which could
only result In his being found guilty.
but just what the punishment would be
would lie with the court
A WEAK PLEA
The plea that immunity from punish.
ment should be guaranteed those testi.
flying before the court applied IN this
case is considered so weak that II has
fallen OF its own weight IL was con-
tended also that Eagan disclaimed re-
sponsibility 10 Miles. but that has car
ried no weight In the public nina.
Every days delay seems 10 odd 10 the
Indignation that an immediate court mar
tial was not ordered. and the feeling that
the administr ltio1 r. not protecting .he
dignity Of the army Is doing II no good.
It rather places the President and his
advisers IN the position OF condonins The
offense
The antagonism existing between the
Office Of the commander IN chief and tho
Secretary H. an old story, and I, H.
claimed by friends OF the army that 'ho
cause should be ascertained and rooted
out But the feeling is growing now that
the administration desires 10 cover up
II stead OF roofing out. White-wa shing
does no good when the object wont stay
and such sewage as pour
ed from the lips OF General Eagan cannot
be excused or purified.
BUILDING FOR ASHEVILLE
A bill has been introduced by Senator
Pritchard providing for an addition 10
the public building al Asffeville. y. g.. 10
enlarge the postofiicc provide necessary
rflces for The clerk OF the United states
Circuit and District courts provide addi-
iiOnai Offices for the Collector OF tho In.
ternal Revenue. the United States Mar
'h9 and The United States District At
iorney The bin carries an appropriation
of ZOO
The Supreme Court today declined
~ SidHt AHt pflAaVu TOT y WITT or CerliO-
-ari 10 the United States Circuit Court
IF Appeals for the Fourth Circuit fn the
,ase of W. Vance Brown &c vs.. the
cranberry Iron and Coal Company.
WILL LIVE IN RICHMOND.
Mr.. A. Cameron GerSler and Miss
Marion +. Oliver were married IN this
'ity during the past week Mr.. Gersler
Who has Cor many years been connected
With the Bureau OF Construction and Re-
'aIr OF the Navy Department has re-
emily been assigned 20 duty with the
uperintendng constructor al the shin
ard OF the ". r. Trigg Company.
after February Isl. t.say will be AZ home
{ No 2l3 east Grace street Richmond.
General Wheeler has found Il necessary
o cancel his New York engagements re-
erred 10 on Saturday night on account
Z the hearing of the Bailey resolution
a tho judiciary Committee OF the House.
his will begin tomorrow.
Tho discharge OF Private Robert T..
helton. Company G. Fourth Virginia. on
december 10Th. has been confirmed
M. T. Browning was to-day appointed
osimaster at Rosedale. Russell County.
"a.