The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-20
AN AFTERMATH.
Curious System of Naval and Military
Rewards and Punfshments.
PhiIadelnhia Times


General Miles, commander-in-chief of the
army ana the one military officer in the
west Indian campaign who has never been
accused~of military mistake gets as his
reward a fioodtde of venomous accusations
from treacherOus accusers and is to-day
practically on trial before a military trf-
DunaI for having told the truth about the
endangered health of the army by fraudu-
lent contractors.
Admiral Dewey, who won the first great
battle of the war and one uneXampled in
naval history, is yet without the honor of
ADMIRAL that the country as with one voice
h mas oeetnanaed Tor MIN His promotion has
Deen hlndered by the juggling of naval pre-
tenders who want the rank of vice admiral
for man who never fought battle in the
war, ana who is most conspicuous in seek
ing 10 rob another of his just honors for the
naval victory at Santiago.
Admiral Schley who was formally
charged with command of the fleet al Santi-
ago by Admiral Sampson on the morning Of
july ., ana under whose command he en-
tire Spanish squadron was destroyed. is
cused to-day of incompetency or cowardice
70 ala IN the unjust promotion of Admiral
sampson, and his nay mas been reduced
SZco a year by his retirement from service
at sea.
Captain Clark. whose achievement in the
great cruise of the Oregon from San Fran
cisco to Key West Will be always famous
in naval history, and whose vessel under
his command was the most potent of all in
destroying the Spanish fleet at Santiago. is
reduced IN pay 100 year by assignment
to shore duty.
General Eagan, VINO was No. SIS on the
sHp
of the war. who was promoted to a brig;l-
der generalship by fdVprtism ard in his
efforts to reward the favor!si3m that pro-
NOTED him exhibited The most hagrant
blackguardism and was I;shDn0rahIN dis
missed from the 'ervice | Y a military c,urt,
has been relieved of mis- sentence AMI gwen
full pay i'm fdleness for six years.
Adjutant General Corbin, who by like ia
voritism was promoted from No. A on the
list of colonies to brigadier generalShip
and given the highest position under the
secretary of war, and who when Gen Miles
was ordered to Santiago telegraphed Gen.
Shafter not to obey him. is now seeking to
be made a major general by act of Con-
gress.
If the policy that seems to be adopted to
punish or delay hOnors for those who have
rendered the most heroic service in the war
and to promote those who have been least
efficient in battle and most offensive in de-
moraliZing both the army and the navy. is
10 be maintained, then General Corbin
should be made major general by act of
Congress. but If rewards are to go to those
who have justly earned them and punish
ment to those who have disgraced the army
and navy. Congress should promptly and
unanimously reject the proposition to pro-
motto Corbin
Such is the fearful aftermath of our brief
but victorious war with Spain. and such the
distribution of rewards and punishments re-
versing the order of all enlightened govern
ments. which ever advance the heroic and
degrade the blackguard the sneak and the
pretender.