Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-01
MEN OF NERVE.
Sec. Lamont and Gen. Miles
Want Their Own Way.
Said That One Trouble Of Congress
Is Its Lack Of Courage.
Men Who Are Afraid Of Public Cpinion-New
Smoking Rule.

Washington, March 81. - (SpcciaD -
Ono Of the most interesting incidents of the
winter Is the quarrel that has broken out
between tho secretary Of war, Colonel La
mont and the general OF the army, General
Miles. Perhaps it is not quito fair to call
Il . quarrel, though it comes very near it.
Secretary Lamont's letter to the military
affairs committee of the senate opposing
tho promotion of General Miles to the rank
Of lieutenant general caused quite sensa-
tion In army and political circles. 1t had
been known for some time that there was
not very cordial feeling between the two
men. Their differences had never broken
into open rupture, but each felt that the
other was inimieal TO him. According to
the gossips Secretary Lamont had opposed
the assignment of General Miles to the
generally Of the army to succeed Schofeld,
but had been overruled by the president.
Both Positive Men.
When General Miles came to Washing
ton, the friends of the two men predicted n
clash. Both are positive and fond Of hay
ing their own way. General Miles soon
began talking in a way which led people
to suppose that he intended to manage the
army as its official head and others knew
that this would not do at all, for Secretary
Lamont is the actual head of the army.
He has never tolerated any undue interior
ence with his authority by the officers OF
the line, and it is q common saying in
army circles that ''the little secretary
never heard a gun fred, but he is the best
soldier OF them all"
When Mr.. Lamont became secretary of
war, 1t was predicted he would devote
most of his time to politics and to helping
President Cleveland with other features of
his administration and that the officers of
the line stationed in the department. would
have free swing to run the army to suit
themselves. If these officers INDUCED in
any such expectations, they have been
grievously disappointed. Mr.. Lamont has
given exceedingly close attention to the
details of the war department. 1t is said
thet no secretary of war for years past has
so fully mastered the work of the office
and become SO familiar with every thread
and line Of army matters. He has had a
mind of his own and has introduced
great many changes in the methods of do
ing business. If anything, Secretary La
mont has been more active than ever be-
fore since the appearance of General Miles
in the Office of general of the army and it
Is pretty we'll understood in army circles
that while Mr.. Lamont remains at the
head Of the department General Miles
business will consist chiefly of issuing the
orders which are prepared in the office OF
the secretary and placed on his desk for
counter signature and publication.
The Bold Boutelle.
One of the boldest men in the whole
congress is Mr.. Boutelle Of Maine. Mr..
Boutellc is fast gaining reputation as the
member of congress who is not afraid to
stand up and fight everybody else, includ-
ing his own party associates. When the
Venezuelan case came up in the house last
December, and storm of enthusiasm
swept through congress, Mr.. Boutelle was
the only man who had the courage to in
Sist upon little delay and doliberatiOn.
Again, when the Cuban resolutions were
brought in, Mr. Boutelle delayed action
by an objection interposed under circum-
stances requiring the highest order of
moral courage. Single handed and alone
Mr. Boutelle opposed the bill to move the
disability from Confederate officers W no
had previously taken the oath TO support
the United States government. There are
not many men who would care to adopt
an attitude sure to make them unpopular
with their associates and in tho eyes of
the country, but MIR. Boutelc is surely
sincere in all that no does, and he there
fore commands tho respect o9en of the men
who do not agree with him.
One trouble with congress is the COW
ardice of its mombers. 1t is a matter of
general comment that few senators or rep
resentativeS have the nerve to oppose Il
measure which is very popular or for
which there has been an outburst of public
sentiment. Conversely they are afraid to
support bills which have merit in them
selves, but which are under the ban of
popular displeasure. This is particularly
true of the first session of n congress or
before the congressional elections. Thcre
are plenty of measures which cannot by
any possibility be passed through the house
at this session which next winter will have
no trouble at all. That will be after cleo.
ton. 1t is understood by every one that
the bill to arrange refundiny of the Pa
cific railroad debt will not DO brought up
for consideration at this session. II it is,
it will have few friends. But next session
every one expects it to pass by large ma
jority. So also with the bill to legalze
pooling Of railroad earnings. Many emil
nent students of the economies of railroads
believe pooling an absolute necessity
The members of the interstate commerce
commission favor it. Tho house has once
passed a bill for this purpose But the
friends of the measure have abandoned
their plan to push it through at this Sos.
sion.
No Smoking Allowed.
Loud are the complaints at an order OF