The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-13

lan1 70 the pres'uen'
"a ! q. commission appointed by him
ss..ta tho conduct Of the war de-
4. 4 the war with Spain was MADE
~. .-,,.bt The report is unanimous
a !. !, voluminous document, contain
-, mooo words and an official ap-
i g. furnished to the press for its
:.i..s. This abstract says:
..,,,,ssion organized on September
I'm, General Granville NJ. Dodge,
.st. Hon. Charles DENLY. Vice presi-
~ NJ Richard Wrightman, sccre-
I'D, James A. Beaver was designated
..Iyes the examination OF witnesses;
..ut Colonel f. B. Jones, chief quar-
..:., I, volunteers, was detailed by
8, deuartment as disbursing officer,
v,,or j. e. Mills, u. s. A., WIS APP
ia n the president as recorder.
vssday. the 2Sth of September. the
.,..,ou convened In regular session.
z..ssrsnts were made to admit TO the
=. Al journalists, three of them repre-
- IA three established press assoc
'sss Having only two rooms at their
I'M Ma commission could not throw
ss,u 10 the public indiscrlrlinately.
. ~ fevspapers in the country, had ac-
hrough the press ASSOCIATIONS. TO the
sSSaIon Of witnesses and the American
~ ne served in respect of the pro-
~ 81 the commission, exactly as
~ served In all other matters of
~ interest from day to day. Among
~ acts of the commission was to
NJ secretary of war, the adjutant gen
IA ouartermaster general, the COM
~ general and the surgeon general to
lnlt al the complaints received by
touthing the administration of their
aetiye departments. This request was
splly complied with, and from that
ip,sh all complaints were forwarded
~ commission Immediately on their
- Il the war department. In further
la1nw Of this preparatory measure,
ppnission, on September ~, made
= Invitation, through the press. to all
~ having knowledge or belief of
5ut1cIAl wrong or declination to submit
bta&ements In writing, accompanied
"a collateral proof or information
llgit be 1t their disposal. This invita-
nkNith 9 liberal response. Hundreds
1ltyit4 letters, newspaper clippings,
ma articles and sermons were re-
IL Of which were thoroughly and
(glN Investigated, as will appear
~ te6dmony taken by the commission
IN various exhibits and appendices to
&Iksd hereafter.
" secretary OF war was requested
~ the various chiefs of departments
TO furnish the commission with
nent Of the condition of their re-
m departments at tho outbreak OF
n, and the operations of the same
u period Of hosttlities.
~ ecumunication recited In detail the
~ % which information was desired,
fiilns facts touching the mobilization
uroW and their organization; the
~ a1d kind of camp and garrison
lg.ee % hand at the beginning OF the
~ amount subsequently, purchased;
N incarnation with regard to furnish
hoops with arms and accoutre-
mfurmation as to which of the
sef regiments were armed and
- . the various State camps; how
z'lQn o. the camps of general rem
~ determined: full particulars
~ transportation of troops; an ac-
~ tne quantity, quality and kind of
llieed; Information as to the tent
linen. medicines and all other
,es lor the hospitals, as to whether
.s ~ stan was efficient. and as to
!tlons and operations OF the engi-
oldnauce departments.
slements, promptly and intelli-
noae, were Of great service in the
INTO the character and text
,eace books. Having thus ar
preliminary matters which
slsaple TO be determined. the
SSs resolved that all charges spe-
uu9nt before 1t should be made
IN tne examination of witnesses
proiesSed to have knowledge
involved in such charges.
tp1ner determined that In the
OF witnesses. strict rules OF
applied in legal proceedings
- % adhered to, but Considerable
~ Be allowed.
tuefefore. In general, the rules
g were followed. we have not
70 relax their application when
<ss ~ During our session we
: ~ wllnssses. All OF these were
1lImeo, except one. who de-
~ the oath. The chief ex-
~ ~ conducted by the members
mat purpose but each wit
.sseIIogated by every member
s..ps ion who desired to do 80.
U the discharge of our du-
~ sssIise at the facts touching
= tne war. and no effort was
70 reach that result. We
the secretary OF war, the
~ eenerai, heads Of depart.
111i,ss0. oI corps, divisions, bril-
ssssas AND companies, non-com-
ana prtvates, nurses and
many employments In pri-
- man or woman who has
~ srAt ne or she had any ma
0uching the subject Of oul
unicate has been refused
's.S ners OF the commission have
taking testimony, II has
eubcommittees have beer
ring witnesses at four dif.
~ the same time.
Won visited In person mos,
~ inspection was not onI,
et troops and supplies. and
~ snlormation was obtained
Z. oincers and enlisted men
ms piaces we have il.yitet
! before us and testify whs
ny light on the conduct q
ent ~ any of it's branches
g corruption or inti,natior
ssery 10 connection with thu
contract. even hint o.
been carefully inyesti'
ne now, at the beginning O.
~ there has been no owl,
3 that any one ii or con,
var departms nt has ais,
dollar. We have mad,
q secure the sttendanc,