New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-18
OPPOSITION 20 THE WEBB BILL.

. MINORITY REPORT TO re PRESENTED TO THE
HorsE-A QUESTION OF PRECEDENT.
Washington. Feb. Il (SpecaD. Opposition has de-
velopei to the bill appointing General Alexander
Stewart Webb. president OF the College Of the City
of New-York a lieutenant-colonel on the retired
list Of the Army. In recognition OF his gallant and
distinguished services at Gettysburg. Brstoe sta
ton The wilderness and Spottsylvania. This in
formation will surprise General Webb's friends.
who seemed 10 believe that the bill In his interes,
would pass the Senate and House without question.
But opposition exists particularly in the House II
has been shown In the last few days In the House
Committee or. Military Affairs. and minority
port from the committee arguing against the pas
sage Of the BILL is being prepared. Mr. Hull. chair
man of the committee. will make the report to the
House In "A few days. II only week ago that
these dispatches sail that the Senate and House
Committee had favoraby acted General Webb's
bill and gave extracts from the complimentary
references to TIL solderscholar's record in and
peace It was Their generally supposed that both
commit PES were Unanimously in favor OF restoring
the General 10 the regular service and placing him
on the retired list. Advocated by Mr.. Proctor in
| the Senate and General Curtis In the House, no
one seemed to doubt that the proposition would 20
through both Houses when called up.
Now here appears to be some doubt In the case
Doubt will be further Increased when Mr.. Hull pre-
sents the minority report. There is always oppos-
ton IN the House In certain quarters to favorable
action on measur which look to the appointment
to the Army of persons in civil life. however dis
tinguishei may have been their records or
valuable their services in peace. The minority OF
the House Committee speak OF General Webb's
Army record In terms of the highest praise They
say he was gallant soldier. and that his course at
Gettysburg Bristoe Station The Wilderness and
Spottsylvana make brilliant page in the history
of the Civil War. They 90 not wish to be regarded
"a ungenerously rejecting upon the military ser
vices OF General Webb in opposing the bill 10 reap
point him to the Army On the contrary the minor
!ty report Will give fun credit to the services
OF the General
It will be contended. however, that General Webb
voluntarily left the Army in 1870 under the provi-
sions of the law which authorized the granting OF
honorable discharges TO officers. with one years
to the acceptance OF the college presidency which
he now holds and that he has since received good
salary and presumably requires assistance from
the Government. The report will urge thai II Ia not
good policy In time OF peace 10 reappotnt 10 the
Army officers who have voluntarily left the ser
vice. especially those who not in needy cir
consent to the making by Congress OF precedepi
such Is proposed In the case OF General WEBB.
He makes the point against the pending bill thatit
Is personal legislation OF kind which II Ia not wise
adopt.
Friends OF the bill are OF the opinion that It win
be passed. They seem 10 believe that opposition
to II will be limited to few members Of tho
House General Curtis says that when the popo-
sltlor Is thoroughly understood 1t will receive
favorable consideration.