The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-04-01
THEY AHENENOFNERVE
Lamont and Miles Want Their
Own Way.
AND 50 DOES CAPTAIN BOUTELLE.
Walter W'elImsn Says One Trouble Of Con-
gress Is Its Lack Of Courage-Men Who
Are Afraid of Public Opinion-Ths New
Smoking Rule.


One Of the most interesting incidents of the
winter Is the quarrel that has broken out
between the secretary of war. Colonel La
mont and the general of the army. Gen.
eral Miles. Perhaps 1t Is not quite fair To
call 1t quarrel, though 1t comes very near
1t. Secretary Lamont's letter TO the mill
tary affairs committee of the senate oppos-
ing the promotion of General Miles to the
rank of lieutenant general caused quite a
sensation In army and political circles. 1t
had been known for some time that there
was not u very cordial feeling between the
two men. Their differences had never
broken out into open rupture, but each
felt that the other was inimical TO him.
According TO the gossips, Secretary Lamont
had opposed the assignment of General
Miles to the generally of the army to sue
coed Schofleld, but had been overruled by
the president.
Both Positive Men.
When General Miles came to Washing
ton, the friends of the two men predicted
a clash. Both are positive and fond of
having their own way. General Miles
soon began talking in way which lee
people to suppose that be intended to man
age 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
interference with his authority by tho
officers of the line, and 1t is common
saying In army circles that 1.-THE little sec
rotary never heard 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 Presi-
dent Cleveland with other features of his
administration and that the officers of the
line stationed in the department. would
have "A free swing to run the army to suit
themselves. IL 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
that 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 a great
many changes in the methods of doing
business. Ii anything Secretary Lamont
has been more active than ever before since
the appearance of General Miles in the
office Of general of the army, and it is pref
ty well 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 sec
rotary and placed on his desk for counte.
signature and publication.
Tho Bold Boutelle.
One Of the boldest men In the whole
congress Is Mr.. Boutelle of Maine. Mr..
Boutelle 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 deliberation.
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 remove
the disability from Confederate officers
who had previously taken tho oath TO sup
port the United States government There
are not many mon who would care TO adopt
an attitude sure to make them unpopular
with their associates and in the eyes of the
country, but Mr.. Boutelle is surely sincere
in all that he does, and he therefore COM
mands the respect even of the men who do
not agree with him.
One trouble with congress Is the coward
ice of its members. 1t Is n matter of
general comment that few senators or rep
resentatives have the nerve to oppose
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 a congress-, or
before the congressional elections. There
are plenty of measures which cannot by
any possibility be passed through the house
ut 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 refunding of the Pa
cifo railroad debt will not be brought up
for consideration at this session. If 1t is,
it will have few friends. But next session
every one expects 1t to pass by a large ma
jority. So also with the bill to legalize
pooling of railroad earnings. Many emf
noub VI bnb tCODOfllCS Vi TdllTOhub
believe pooling an absolute necessity. The
members of the Interstate commerce ooIn
mission favor 1t. The house has once
passed bill for this purpose. But the
friends OF the measure have abandoned
their plan to push 1t through at this ses-
sion.
No Smoking Allowed.
Loud are the complaints at an order of
the senate which WAS issued few days
ago. 1t prohibits smoking In all the cor
ridors and galleries of the senate wing Of
the capitol. The capitol police are in
structed to carry out this order TO the let
ter, and every few minutes there is an In
teresting scene as member of the house,
former senator, a cabinet officer, a news
paper correspondent, a big visiting politi-
clan or somo other person who imagines
himself of importance comes along with a
cigar between his lips and is "called down"
by the ubiquitous police. Some way or
other the new order does not appear to be
American. Ii Is too freakish and nice. or
course smoking is not tolerated in any Of
the galleries of the senate chamber and
never was. But TO say that gentlema,
on his way from the restaurant to con. /,
mittee room shall not smoke as he passes
through the corridor is carrying matter to