le the same cattle in a severe season will lose from
ten to twenty-five, all depending on the condition of the stock with the
beginning of cold weather. Since my connection with this post we have
always received good steers, and our losses have been light, but above
and below this military reservation the per cent. loss has run as high
as fifty among thin, weak animals."

"Now, Mr. Sanders," said the special commissioner, "as an expert,
you are testifying as to the probable loss to the government in this
locality in buying and holding beef on its own account. You may now
state if you have seen the tender of beef made by Field, Radcliff & Co.,
and if so, anticipating the worst, what would be the probable loss if
their cattle were accepted on this year's delivery?"

"I was present at their inspection by the officers of this post,"
replied the witness, "and have no hesitancy in saying that should the
coming one prove as hard a winter as '82 was, there would be a loss of
fully one half these cattle. At least that was my opinion as expressed
to the post commander and quartermaster at the inspection, and they
agreed with me. There are half a dozen other boys here whose views on
wintering cattle can be had--and they're worth listening to."

This testimony was the brutal truth, and though eternal, was sadly
out of place. The opposition lawyers winced; and when Sutton asked if
permission would be given to hear the testimony of the post commander
and quartermaster, both familiar with the quality of cattle the
government had been receiving for years, the commissioner, having
admitted damaging testimony, objected on the ground that they were under
suspension, and military men were not considered specialists outside
their own vocation. Other competent witnesses were offered and objected
to, simply because they would not admit they were experts. Taking
advantage of the opening, Congressman Y---- called attention to a few
facts in passing. This unfortunate situation, he said, in substance, was
deeply regretted by his clients and himself. The War Department was
to be warmly commended for sending a special commissioner to hear the
matter at issue, otherwise unjust charges might have been preferred
against old and honored officers in the service. However, if specialists
were to be called to testify, and their testimony considered, as to what
per cent. of cattle would survive a winter, why not call on the weather
prophets to testify jus