New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-06-13
Sheridan Promotes.

The house passed the bill to promote
Lieut.. Gen. Sherid an to the rank OF gener-
al. ALI the circumstances attending its
passage in the house were most drama tic
and interesting. And the conduct of the
majority OF the democratic members was
so creditable that italmost forbids the
suspicion that any question OF making po-
litical capital entered into consideration.
The excitement during the discussion vas
intense, scarcely two members remaining
in their proper seats. McMiliin, in the chair
as speaker pro TEN rushed the bill through
with only a feeble chorus of six or seven
nays againstit. Every thing was in prepara-
ton for the speedy putting into effect OF the
bill. An enrolled copy was read for the sig.
nature OF the speaker and president OF the
senate. At 1:45 a special messenger
started for the White House with the bill
which promptly received the presidents
approval, and before 2:3O the president
had sent the Philip II. sheridan's name
for confirmatio as general of the army.
Senator Hawley, chairman OF the commit
tee on m iitary affairs, telephoned to the
w hite House to have a commission filled
u p. The sena tie, in a three. minute execu-
tive session, confirmed the nomination,
and at 2:45 Philip ri. Sheridan was com.
missioned general OF the army OF the
United States. Senator Hawley in.
person carried the commission from the
White House to Gen. Sheridan's residence
and delivered it to Mrs. Sheridan. The
bill enacts-That the grade OF lieutenant
general OF the army is hereby discontinued
ard is merged in the grade OF general OF
the army OF the United States, which
grade shall continue during the lifetime OF
the present lieutenant general, after which
OF the United States is hereby au.
thorized to appoint, with the advice and
consent OF the senate. GEN
eral OF the army OF the United States That
the pay allowances of the general be the
same as heretofore allowed for that grade.
Consequently with Gen. sheridan's
death both grades will lapse. The whole
incident was strongly suggestive OF similar
action when the dying Gen. Grant was pen
stoned Oh Marc h4, 1854.
As soon as the senate confirmed the
nomination Senators Hawley and Man
derson were rapidly driven to the White
House. They were Immediately received by
the president, who handed Senator Haw-
ley the parchment commission. A few
minutes later they were in the draw
ing room OF the Sheridan home.
Senator Hawley handed Mrs. Sheri-
dan the commission with a few appro.
pirate words. Mrs. Sherid an to Id the sen
ators that she thanked them and all 9th
ers who had assisted in comforting this
great honor on her husband.
ii anything can cure this will, she
said. In the morning he seemed greatly
pleased when he learned OF the efforts that
were being made. [ will show him the
commission as soon as he Wakes
Gen. Sheridan woke a lew minutes after
3. His wife told him the news, and the sick
man seemed CT .atly pleased. That's the
best tonic I've had in a week. he said
Chief Clerk Tweedale, OF the war depart.
ment: was sentfor and soon arrived. The
members OF the generals staff who were in
the house were summoned to the sick
room, and the formal oath was admins
tered to the stricken soldier by Mr.. Twee-
dale.