The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-30
Notified by the President, Through
Secretary Lamont, that He Had
Been Chosen to Succeed SchOfeld.
HE is NOT A WEST POINTER
AND HIS SELECTION WAS NOT EN-
PECTED IN ALL QUARTERS.
His Brilliant Record During the Civil
War and as a Fighter During the
Indian Disturbances.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-There is no Ion
Miles is to succeed Litutenant General
ScEofield in the Office of commander of
the United States army. General Miles
made statement of the fact tonight to
reporter, saying that he was informed of
President Clevelands determination to APP
point him on Friday last by Secretary of
War Lamont. whom he met in this city
by special appointment at the Metropoli-
tan Club. General Schofield retired from
active service at noon to-day, and ii is
said that the appointment OF General Miles
will be announced tomorrow or soon
thereafter. The General will go to Wash
ington in few days to assume the duties
of his high position.
This announcement will set at rest the
rumors which have agitated army circles
during the past year concerning General
Schoield's probable successor. While Gen.
Miles was the senior major general of the
Amy. and one of the most
popular personally with his sub
ordinates, 1t was reported that he
was. for some reason, persona non grata
to the President. and that the fact that
he had no diploma from West Point might
weigh against his chances. General Ruger
was the principal rival for the appointment
mentioned. There was also an impression
in some quarters that the office of general
of the army might be left vacant for some
time. as there is no requirement of law
for such a position and as there are pre-
cedents for leaving II untitled. Only once
since the army was organized, In 1889, how
ever has the President failed to appoint
the senior general to command the army.
When General Miles was seen by re-
porter tonight at his headquarters on
Governors island. he spoke freely of his
appointment my informant" said the
General was Secretary Lamont. whom
met by special appointment at the Metro
politan Club in New York last Friday.
Naturally. l was much gratifed. In "a
sense. however, my appointment is not
promotion. as the grade of lieutenant gen.
eral became extinct with the retirement
of General Schofeld. 1 will enter on my
duties with as little delay as possible; in
fact, as soon as the Secretary of War is
sues the order announcing my succession.
In leaving here I viii do so with many
regrets. This is the pleasantest post
ever had; although in the very heart of
civilization, it is as much retired as if it
were hundreds of miles away. instead of
being within gunshot of the metropolis
Then, too. the people of New York and
Brooklyn have been very hospitable and
l shall leave them with many social OBJ
legations
General Miles was asked whether he will
recommend any changes in the administra-
ton of the army. He replied that If he so
contemplated 1t would hardly be proper to
discuss them at this time. The General
would make no direct reply TO the question
whether he thought the grade of lieuten-
ant general might be revived by Congress
in his case as In that of General Schofield.
When asked whether General Ruger will
succeed him in command, of the Depart
ment of the East General Miles replied
THAT is the general impression. but, of
course, cannot speak authoritatively.''
The rank of lieutenant general expired
with General Schoheld's retirement, and it
is grade only created by special acts of
Congress in recognition of distinguished
services. 1t has been bestowed upon six
generals-Washington Scott, Grant. Sher-
man. Sheridan and Schofed General
Miles has received all his military training
in the field Of experience, instead of in
the schools He will be the first general
for many years who was not West Point
graduate, and as the West p-inters are
reputed to esteem themselves the aristoc-
racy of the army, it has been reported that
his volunteer antecedents would initiate
against his appointment SO far as
the influence of the army circle had to
90 with it, General Winfield Scott was the
last commanding general who was not a
West Point man.
Lamont would Not Talk.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-Secretary La
mont declined to make any statement to-
night regarding General Miles's prospective
appointment to succeed General Schofield
as general of the army, but his appoint
ment is generally here regarded as certain.
1t is thought his commission will issue
within a few days. and that he will there
were three major generals from whom the
selection might have been made-General
Miles, Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, on special
duty in Washington in connection with the
revising of the tactical branch of the serv-
ice. and Gen. Wesley Merritt in command
OF the Department of the Missouri with
Miles was the ranking officer. 1t was ru-
rored that General Miles might fail 10 Sc
cure the appointment because of the al
legged fact that his report on the Chicago
strike did not meet with the President S
views. This rumor of MIR. Cleveland's dis
pleasure over the report was denied at the
time by Secretary Lamont. who said that
neither he nor the President had any fault
to find with the character of the report.
and the prospective appointment of General
Miles seems TO furnish conclusive evidence
that such was the case.
Secretary Lamont said to-day i'm refer
ence to the detail OF Lieutenant Colonel
Guy Henry as commandant at jefferson
Barracks No. which was the subject of
criticism inasmuch as Lieutenant Colonel
whiteside, stationed at Jefferson Barracks.
ranks ahead of him. the appointment of
Colonel Henry was made on the recon-
mendation of General Schofeld: THE rec
ommendation OF the general of the army
said he, ''is always followed in matters of
detail Ii implies no reflection on Colonel
Whiteside, who, I have no doubt, will re-
ceive a satisfactory detail" Mr.. Lamont
declined TO say what he would do in the
case of Major Armes. who was arrested
Friday night on the order OF General
Schofield for insubordination. II have not
yet had time" said he. ito give the matter
consideration.
CAREER OF A WARRIOR