Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-02-19
GEN. CARR'S PROTEST.
de Informs the President That he De-
elines TO Rarfy sn Agreement Involving
His Retirement

de Informs the President That He De-
elines Co Ratify sn Agreement Involving
His Retirement
ST. Louis, February 1s.-Brigadier
General T. A. Carr, whose retirement Is
alleged IN some quarters 10 have been
brought about with. a purpose, has hled
with the President q vigOrour protest.
In his letter, after quoting the orders
: sent him at the time of his promotion,
says:
''In accordance with the above re-
ported on the 1st day Of August, and
saw Gen. Schofield IN person. He then
told me that he had promised you tnat
| should, il promoted, retire from active
service in time for you to I'LL the vacancy
| Occasioned by such retirement was
| astounded at this statement, and told
Gen. SchOfeld that had known OF
such a promise l would not have ac-
cepted the appointment OF Brigadler
| General. When l learned OF these
/ promises, from the conversation referr-
/ ed TO my place as Colonel OF the Sixth
| Cavalry had been filed by appointment,
aud / was, therefore, unable TO decline
/ the commission o. Brigadier General,
I for that would have put me entirely out
o; tAe army. l therefore had no
alternative but TO take the oath Of Of
/ fee. Now am called upon to carry out
the bargain made without my Enowl-
I edge or consent, and when l decline l
am threatened by Gen. Schoheld with
/ fOrci5le retirement.
II have been in the military service
Of the United States for 46 years, aud
/ feel a Just and soldiery pride in the ser
vice / have rendered my country l
never soughta promotion on any ground
other than that of merit, and l deem
myself too good 4 soldier TO accept ad-
vanCement for any other reason. l had
/ supposed that any promotion was due TO
/ that service and to your appreciation
/ thereof, aud OF my ability to command.
1 am fully able 70 perform the duties
I and TO exercise the functions OF my
Office. As 20 my ability 10 command,
and the numbers commanded, and When
/ and where commanded, refer 10 the
records of the War Department Had l
not intended and felt competent to ex-
ecute all the duties OF Brigadier Gen
eral, / would never have accepted or
/ taken the oath. My record in the army
| is the only ,egacy have 10 transmit to
my posterity, and ! have determined
/ that no act OF mine, by accepting a pro-
motion secured by unauthorized prom
/ iSes Of Immediate retirement, shall DO a
I part OF that record.
''If am to be retired for the purpose
/ OF giving place 20 another man under a
/ law az least questionable, and which
I was never intended 70 be used for such
/ q purpose, have made up my mind 70
stand 10 what l COnscientiously believe
/ 10 be the duty OF soldier, aud TO that
/ is. not 20 be party TO or ratity any
| agreement that would in the slightest
! manner affect my standing among the
OH ,ers Of the army with whom l have
/ served so long. Touching the power TO
compel my Involuntary retirement from
the active list Of the army on account
/ of nv having reached the age OF 62
wears, beg 70 suggest that the discre-
/ tiOn lodged In you by law was never In
4 tended 20 be exercised except where the
\ the officer sought 10 be retired was un-
/ Git 20 perform the duties OF his office. l
know Of no precedent where this discre-
tion has been exercised by the Presi-
dent for any other cause.
Iappeal to you, therefore, Mr.. Presi-
| dent. 90 consider the situation in which
1 have been placed without my knowl-
edge or consent, and have also to re-
/ spectfuly but earnestly protest any
I action being taken looking to my invol-
untary retirement from the active list
OF the army, without at least full hear
I inr OF my side OF the case, which has so
/ FAR been imDerfectly presented. l am
\ sir, with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
az. A. CARR,
"Brlg. and Brew Maj. General"