The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-17
ose of receiving some advice that hethought

pose of receiving some advice that hethought
to be good for them. In every case the Gen
eral was genial but none tho less firm, kindly
and digniiled. There was nothing Of the
martinez about him so far as | could see. In
each case too, he seemed to make distinct
impression, and good one, on the man with
whom he was dealing.
Z" / do not find il necessary to be harsh with
tho men" said the General. "You see in
these days all sorts Of men Drift into the ser
vice, and tact is needed. In time OF war,it ia
different As matters stand now II Is wei! TO-
temper justice with common sense and kind
ness. find such policy to be the best OF
any rate"
The duties Of a general in command Of an
army department IN these days though multi
farious are not interesting to the ordinary
person. Passing upon the reports Of eubor-
dinates approving Of findings Of unimportant
courts martial, reviewing parades on special
occasions, keeping a moro or less sharp eye
upon quartermasters, debating inasscs Of cor
respondcnce to his superior at Washington
or to subordmqtes in forts and stations in
the East, South and West, these routine and
clerical duties are not calculated to stir the
blood. Yet General Howard says he likes his
work.
The social side of General Howard's life in
these times is less monOtonous than is his
official. He is Il distinct quantity in New
York society and is much sought after by
those leaders who make 1t point to have
some sort of lion to roar gently at their
social functions. General Howard lives quietly
on Governors Island and cntertains but little
himself, but he is to be met almost everywhere
during the winter months when society in
New York is in constant whirl. Now you
may sec him at the opera with his wife and
daughter, or again you viii meet him at an
Iaftemoon tea exchanging courtcsies witt
danes who take IN admIring interest in tho
old warrior. His faculty for enjoying himself
| is remarkable. II is sometimes a puzzle tc
his friends how the veteran can seem to enjoy
with about equal vim small social affair Of
dry lecture upon more dry subject before
the New York Historical Society, for that is
running the gauntlet with vengeance. But
he does it.
General Howard is also club man Of re.
rown. He is prominent in the Union League
Club, and in others less prominent He j.
also a member Of the Authors Club and d
several literary organizations. In genera
,t,a,, l. IN o,,t4i,,t,c Al, cgoi,4,. ~ I;t,rr, ,,,,,
rather than that Of army mon, ard what il
more, he is popular with them. He at time.
seems more proud Of his work as a writeI
than Of his achievements in the West Will
Sherman, and he said to me on one occasion
that he had the satisfaction Of knowing h,
was not altogether dependent Ipon his pay
for he made as much by writing as he rocely
ed as salary. He has in his library careful,
cherished a collection Of war maps that is al
most invaluable. These are not copies, bu
originals drawn by such men as Sherman
Slocum, the brilliant and Inflated Mcpherson
Grant, Sheridan and others. In some case
these are copies that were laid before coun
ellis of generals and there debated. Here an,
there in some Of them you may see where tn
strong hand OF some man now dead has cor
rected or amended the original plans, unit
they look more like tangle of lines-an on
and out Chinese puzzle-than an intelligen
guide to important military operations. II
me they were interesting in the eytrem
though utterly failed to understand them.
ventured to suggest to General Howar
that right here he had material for an inter
esting book upon war. He smiled signif
cantly.
THAT is but very small portion Of tn
material / have and that has come into m
hands during and since the war" he said.
Then you contemplated war book,
suggested
Il did not say so, replied the Generi
warily, and with this reply was iain to b
contented.
The friends OF the General say, however