New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10


the pretence that it sent as an experi-
ment." The old veterans of the public service
see that this cause was entirely inadequate to
produce the wounded roar set up by the Com
missary- General. They therefore reason In this
wise: Eagan had been a party to many quar-
rels, personal and official, far more serious than
this one. He was never known before to be so
violently sensitive about his personal and official
reputation. Why should he all of sudden rave
passionately about his ruined character? 1t
was no very heinous offence even had he issued
canned roast beef as an experiment II General
Miles had testified falsely, or thrown out injuri-
GUS insinuations In mere wantonness, Eagan
had quick and sure remedy In an appeal to a
court OF inquiry, which must have pilloried
Miles.
Why should he choose another and more ec-
centric course? His public attack on Miles was
too exaggerated to be natural; too coarse to be
the outpourng of a wounded, overfowing heart,
which was the trend he attempted to give 1t be-
fore the coIrt-martial. Instead Of being ac-
cepted In that spirit and commanding sympathy
suspicion. 1t was looked on by insiders as
grandstand play for effect only. to divert atten-
tion from more serious things behind
A SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
An incident aided to crystalline these suspi-
cions and doubts. In the midst of Eagan's first
outburst the chief clerk Of the Commissary De-
partment De Caindry, suddenly resigned. leav-
ing the impression that it was caused by some
thing connected with these beef contracts. Then
De Caindry. personally solicited by an Army
officer of the Commissary Department, suDSe-
uuently recalled his resignation and resumed his
place as chief clerk of that bureau. This, TOO
before Eagan had been court-martialled. There
was a plausible explanation OF TINS queer
maneuvre in q local newspaper over De Cain
dry's signature. but this explained nothihg 10
those familiar with bureau affairs. the wonder
of wonders was that an army omcer, WIZ Mno
tha twill
form ne appears, should go far sink his dignity
as personally to solicit De Caindrys return
This evident anxiety about De Canary anu tne
alleged misunderstanding about the twenty-iour
and seventy-two hour clauses in the beer con
tracts aroused the suspicion here, above hoteu,
that there was something further ye. 10 |Ur,,v IN,
,, this beef inquiry What that something may
he has not yet been ascertained, ana perhapss
never will be- But there is geherai o,s.,, os.,vr
among well-informed people that II is son.eunS s,S
serious Had the inquisitor been fuily ihloipe ,nt
when De Caindry appeared before the pee,
Court the other day he possibly mlenl nh'' "Nu
IN answer some embarrassing questions H.
Eagan denied under oath In the most ua
attc and nositiye manner every charge and IN
situation made by Miles. Then, wheh Puuiio
opinion forced his court-martial for conuuo' u.,
becoming an officer and genr,er"iIit nd naiIitarv dis
cinline he attempted to show by the tesuihony
of members of his family that MS mentai equ.,, nn
brium was disturbed by Miles's charge anu .na. Id
his mind was unhinged He was so Wroush. uP
as 70 think his honor was destroyed. 1t was
alleged that he felt so disgraced by this vague
recitation of General Miles that he was ashamed
70 ride in n public streetcar. When ne arrived
home the evening after Miles had been pefore
the War Commission. he flourished paper as
he came thorugh the door, shouting, 1eherdi
Miles has cructed me-! ana much other S'uil
TO the same effect.
What a perfect anti-climax all this is SHOWN
TO have been by the recent testimony peiore tne
beef court! General Miles has been corroDorateu
by witness after witness down to the minu.est
particular while Eagan has been discredited at
every point . IL,
There was every indication that Eagan's orig
inal demonstration before the War Commission
met with the approval of the entire war De-
partment. from the Secretary down through all
the heads of bureaus. One grand chuckle went
ND throughout the higher circles of the Depart
rnent when Eagan so boldly" exploded his
Chinese stinkpot Miles. Now no star bu-
reau officer is found so poor as to do poor Eagan
reverence.
PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY ALGER.
1t is a bad business, although Republicans are
perfectly confident Of the Presidents rectitude
of purpose But whether justly or unJustly, 1t
is undeniable that many of the most clear
headed Republicans at the capital feel that
Secretary Alger is largely responsible for the
situation created by this beef investigation. 1t
is felt by these party men that through General
Ayers influence impelled by those In the De-
partment who control him. the President in
some sort has made himself the champion OF
Eagan by the ill-considered mitigation OF as
righteous sentence as was ever delivered by
q court rendering the whole proceeding little
better than farce
Many practical politicians feel and have OF
late often expressed the conviction that the
President should let go of Secretary Ager.
Some Republicans no doubt admire the President
for so doggedly upholding his Secretary under
fire, but they are not numerous. Few promi-
ent Republicans are found who now think he is
acting wisely in doing so. mere individual is
nothing the party everything. in the estimation
of these men. General Algers protracted re-
tention IN office, now Of questionable policy in
any aspect and so obviously detrimental to the
Presidents personal interests, is becoming a
subject Of deep speculative wonder everywhere
and to everybody.