Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1903-08-28
rnn.s.rlr ro ons snAL alLs..

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Tlirt The American people would re-
sent the studied insult and the discour.
tesy Of The national administration to
General Nelson A. Miles upon his retire.
mentfrom the commandoithearmy might
have been expected in view OF the fact
that as u nation the Americans love fair
play, When, after years OF splendid
service to his county, taking leave Of
the officers and men under him in an
address that must have thrilled every
loyal American heart, the great com.
mnnder retires by reason OF having
reached the age limit, not n word Of
commentator is offered him by the
acting Executive Of a people whom he
has 80 long and so Loyalty served, 1t Is
but natural that the great heart OF the
nation should beat i'll sympathy with
Miles and turn in disgust from the
emallness and vindictiveness OF one who
reached an exalted station by "the road
that leads through "A cemetery"
Press Pud people in every state OF the
Union have naught but praise for the
retiring head of the army and caustic
criticism for the insincere acting EI-
e~cutive, who luuds undeserviug favor
ties, but who peglects to utter Il word
i'll commentator OF the sterling, val.
orous commander whose life has been
devoted TO a defense OF flag and coun.
try and whose bravery and heroisnI
have been demonstrated on many a hard
fought field. After an active career OF
forty-two years III the army three cam-
paigns and four wounds, General Miles
was at least rs deserving OF conmenda-
ton from the present administration as
was General Schotleld, who was retired
during Mr.. Cleveland's administration,
high tribute OF praise. Why was Gen.
eral Miles marked rs Il target for insult,
studied and determined? Was it be.
cause he charged, in substance. i'll 1895,
that half a million pounds Of heel came
in one ship to Porto Rico alone which
was unfit for food, and which made the
soldiers OF his army sick when they ate
it? Was il because his charge was Gus.
tanned by a board OF inquiry, which re-
ported that the beef had been embalm-
ed and was otherwise unfit for men or
dogs and that nothing alive could eat
it?
We're the GOODNESS OF General Miles
retirement and the insults flung at the
gallant veteran due to the fact that he
sustained lie opinion OF Admiral Dew.
cy on tho Schley-Sampson controversy
that Schlcy, having been ON the spJt at
Santiago while Sampson was not, was
probably correct in his version OF what
took place IN 'llat naval battle!" Or
was it because he said that he had no
sympathy with the efforts which have
been made to destroy the lonOr of an
officer under such circumstances?7
Was it because he expressed only his
personal views that he WAS officially
and severely reprimanded 10y Secretary
Root, despite the fact that ms express
ion Of opinion was male under the i'm
preston that "there was no improperly
in expressing an opinion the same us
any other citizen upon u matter Il such
public Interest,"
Was the discouHtcEy due to General
Miles charges that certain cruelties
were practiced by some OF our troops in
the Philippines, charges sustained by
the record and which resulted III the
courts-martial of ~.Icll Roaring Jake"
Smith, Major Glen aud other Of the
perpetrators Of the cruclties charg.
ed?
Tho people will remember the insults
md the cruel injustice heaped by the
present acting Chief Executive upon
one OF the ableRt and most patriotic
commanders the American army ever
had. Already honors are his which u
grateful people are pleased to confer
upon him. The warmth Of his welcome
east and west, the presidency OF the
Jefferson Memorial association, the in
creased popularity and the love an nd.
miration expressed 10y his fellow citizens
indicate that i'll hiCoping to what must
10 termed a low hLd mean revenge Mr..
Roosevelt himself alone il injured. In
seeking To demcnn General Miles the
acting Chief Executive has brought
upon himself Il condemnation that will
remain so long M he lives En-.