New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-28
BRISK LITTLE WAR DEPARTMENT MILL.
HOW MR.. MKINNEY GOT A GOOD JOB. LOST 1T,
AND GOT IT BACK AGAIN

BRISK LITTLE WAX DEPARTMENT. MILL
HOW MR.. MKINNEY GOT A GOOD JOB. LOST 1T.
AND GOT IT BACK AGAIN
Washington, June q (SpeclaD-In these piping
times of peace 1t appears that an official go has
been fought to finish at the War Department
Secretary Lamont acted as referee. and awarded
the mill to the civilian contestant. The principals
were Assistant Secretary Doe and Quartermaster-
General Batchelder 1t fought out in private.
but information concerning the details of the battle
has become public a short time ago. It seems,
certain Office In the gift of the Quartermaster-Gen-
era became vacant. and he In search of
good man for the billet. Vacancies in the military
branch which impose no serious duties and hold OUT
good and pay do not a-begging 1t Is the ex-
ception when vacancy Is not filled before the sun
goes down on the day which It occurred General
Dee heard Of General Bacheder's desires and
recommended for the billet in question friend OF
his who was. he asserted, particularly well quail
fed 10 discharge the services TO be performed. Tic
said his man was fitted for the place by both ability
and experience.
Very naturally the recommendation of an assist
ant secretary OF an executive department has weight
with q subordinate chief OF a STAFF bureau Accord
ingly General Batchelder appointed the assistant
secretary's candidate. All went well for while
The appo.ntee-McKnney Is his name-appeared to
be the right man in the right place. 10 MIN was
given the important responsibility OF inspecting
horses purchased for the Army. and headquarters
wore established for him at Chicago. Suddenly,
and only recently. light clouds fitted across
the military horizon. These grew darker as 'he
days went by, and finally the storm burst AL the
same time something dropped. This might nave
been rain or hail. II being the summer season. pul
It was neither 1t was McKinneys official head'
which had been Topped of In other words. Mckin-
ney had been bounced" and by direction vi the
Quart rmaster General
The day that Mckinney sank into the oblivion OF
n pdyate citizen General Batchelder left Washing
ton on an official visit to the West. Many inquiries
have been made Of tn authorities, but nothing can
he learned as to why Mckinney was discharged
Mckinney must be of an nduisitive nature, Tor on
the day he received notice OF his dismissal he sought
an exclamation. He applied to MS friend. General
Doe for IT, Not wanting 1t to appear that he was
making casual inquiry or that he was SOW 10 act
when action seemed prudent, he resorted to the
telegraph
In these modern days wire messages travel SO
fast that aimostas soon II takes to mention the
fact the horse inspectors telegram was IN WASH
ington and the electric bell of the Assistant Secre
tary of War was ringing vigorously for mes
sengcr. War Department messengers, when awake
respond promptly to bells General Does messen,,
almost Instantly before his chief. The Assistant
Secretary has rich. round voice, ana wheil ne sjlu
/ want 10 see him." the messenger knew that the
speaker In dead earnest. AS evidence OF .ne
he cid not wait for the Department eleHa'or 10
ascend General Batcheders floor but ne I used
the stairs which near by. war Departinent
messengers walk II they can ride pelhs III
chronic condition OF that tired feeling
The messenger found that General Batcnelder mao
left the city. He went earlier in the same day THIS
the messenger reported to his chief General poe
said httle. but did much He promptly submitted
the case to Secretary Lamont. There was no coun-
gel for the prosecution present at the conference
but the defence was vigorously presented Inc As
sistant Secretary said. the story goes, that NC,
Kinney was a man OF excellent character or good
social standing. and that he was particularly well
fitted for the service to which he had been as
signed He requested authority Immediately TO
cancel the order of discharge. Secretary Lamont
reflected for a minute. and then granted the request
Immediately the wires between Washington ana
Chicago were again busy The language OF the Ill
rection telegraphed cannot be learned but the sub
stance was that Mckinney had been re-employed
or TO speak strictly. General Batcnelders
order discharging him had been revoked That Is
not all Strict instructions were promulgated fortn-
with that Mckinney should not agln be removed
without the authority Of the Secretary or Assistant
A few DAYS ago General Batcheldcr returned to
washington Then he learned Of what had taken
Mace He said nothing. and as no mnd-reader was
present 10 divine his thoughts this page OF Army
history so far as he Is concerned, was closed with
an Interrogation point General Doe ls also saving
wood" but more cheerfuiy than the Quartermaster-
General As to Mckinney. he Is on the Army pay
rolls secure In his position until March o. 1897, at
least,