New-York tribune., 1896-04-08
TO PROMOTE GENERAL MILES
REVIVAL OF THE LIEUTENANT-GENER
ALSH1P RECOMMENDED.
THE HOUSE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
AGREES TO REPORT THE JOINT REsoLU-
TON FAvORABLy. THUS sNUBBING
SECRETARY LAMONT


Washington. Arril 7.-Evdently the House
Committee on Military Affairs does not attach
much importance to the recommendations Of
Secretary Lamont on serious Army questions
Despite the fact that the Secretary recently
advised a contrary course, the committee de-
cided to-day. after brief discussion and by
a vote Of TO 4. to report the joint resolution
reviving the grade OF Lieutenant General ia
vorably, in order that the President might be-
stow it on the commanding general of the
Army in recognition of his distinguished SER
vices as volunteer during the Civil War and
in command Of expeditions against hostile Ind
ians AS has been said in these dispatches,
Secretary Lamont recommended unfavorabe
action on the resolution on the ground that
the rank of Lieutenant-General has in the past
been reserved for officers who have commanded
an army in the field. and that there
present necessity of re-establishing a higher
grade. The House committee has members
men who know something about practical war.
They. with other members Of the committee.
turned down the Secretary Those who voted
for the resolution were Messrs. Hull of Iowa:
Curtis. of New-York: Marsh. OF Illinois;
Woomer. of Pennsylvania; Griffin. of Wisconsin,;
Parker. OF New-Jersey; Fenton. OF Ohio; Tracey.
OF Missouri, and Catron. of New-Mexico. Those
Tyler of Virginia. Mcclellan. of New-York,
and Lockhart of North Carolina Those who
were against the adoption Of the resolution are
not opposed to the Idea of giving the rank of
Lieutenant General 20 the commanding gen.
eral, but they prefer that 1t should be revived
permanently. and not the resolution pro-
vides. that it shall lapse in of the retire
ment death of General Miles.
Although the session OF the committee was
brief the discussion on the resolution was earn
est 1t given out last week that the COM
mittee would to-day hear arguments for and
against the proposition. Among others General
Miles was invited to be present. Under the cir
cumstances he courteousy declined Just be-
fore the discussion began the committee decided
to settle the question without listening 10 out
side argument. Brigadier-General Stanley was
without, but he was rot invited TO go before the
committee. An interesting story is told In con-
nection with his presence at the Capitol to-day.
1t Is said that he was ready TO say 10 the COM
mittee that General Niles blundered in his last
Geronimo campaign. and that he held out prom
ises TO the great Apache chlef which were ho'
carried out. This Is an Did story TO Army oi-
fcers. and has foundation in fact. General
Stanley sincere enough, but while waiting
to be called by the committee he was Informed
OF the truth and did not ask to be heard. The
fact in the case Is that the willy Indian. Wnen
going East after his capture told General stan
lev promise or General Mics Wnlcn tldl
officer never gave.
The discussion in the committee to-day was de-
voted chiefly TO the question as to whether the
rank Of Lieutenant-General should be temporarily
revived as proposed by the resolution. or per-
manently a substitute for the resolution was
offered by Mr.. Parker to make the rank perma-
nent, but this proposition was lost by Tie
vote-6 to s. The argument was advanced In
its support that the standing Army OF the United
States. although comparatively small Is large
enough to demand a Heutenant-general as It's
commander. Although little was said about
Secretary Lamonts report against the resolu-
ton recently sent to the Senate committee the
Democratic members made their arguments
along the lines OF that letter Mr.. Mcclellan
gave notice that he reserved the right to make a
minority report to the House against the resolu-
ton, but the members who voted against IL
have not yet decided whether to make such
report 1t was contended by the opponents OF
the resolution. however. that as the Lieutenant
Generals rank had been conferred upon Generals
Scott Grant Sherman. Sheridan and Schoneid,
as a recognition OF their eminent services In
commanding large armies in important actions.
they would only approve the resolutior If the
rank were to be permanently established for
the head Of the Army.
Incidentally the subject Of Army reorganiza-
tion was discussed. and several members ra-
yored the perman nent establishment of the rank
Of I.eutenant-General In a bill which the COM
mittee is expected to report on this question