The San Francisco call., 1897-06-10
A WoMAN'o Work

The promotion of Zenas R. Bliss to be a
major-geneTal on the eve of retirement was
one woman's work, writes Washington cor
RESPONDENT of the St. Lous Globe Democrat.
1t was such an act of justice in the face of po-
liucaI and social influences as is not of ten
seen in the personal legislation pertaining 10
the army. More than that. it brought together
in cutious way two men whose lives had
come in close, but not agreeable, relationsh hip
thirty years ago, and then drifted far apart.
Brigadier General Brooke was entitled by
seniority OF rank TO the promotion. But he
was younger man than Bliss, who was with
in few days of the retiring age. If B coke
was appointed it meant that Bliss must go on
the non active list a Drigadier. Behind
Brooke's Gains were the powerful influences
OF the Pennsylvania rs, always as clannish as
so many Scots for Pennsylvania.
From a lifetime on the frontier, where his
existence had been almost forgotten, with
record that was unlm peachable, General Bliss
came 10 Washington on The torlorn hope OF
ge ting his promotion. He had nothing but
ans reco, when he arrived, Some good for
tune procured for the old soldier the aCquaint-
ance aid sympathy OF Mrs. Richard c. herens
OF ST. Louis. Mr.. kerenS WAS over head and
ears with the affairs OF the MissOurians. He
went TO the White House, aud when he came
back he said to Mrs. Kerens:
''lt is OF no use. General Brooke is to be ap-
pointed"
From sickroom Mrs Kerens went to Sem
ator Elkins. The ex-Secre tsry of War and Sem
ator from West Virginia looked grim when he
heard the P eader 1or justice to General Bliss
He realized what it meant, but he enlisted TOR
the tight Ii he had little hope he did not
show IL. He saw the President and then he
saw Brooke. The latter NEE ting brought back
strange recollectlOns TO the TWO men.
"Do you rene ember that affair in Santa Fe?''
asked the Senator.
al should say 1 did," the general replied,
and he did mol sm lie at the recollection.
Nearly thirty years ago Mr., Elkins was
young attorney in lhe ancIent city OF New
Mexico Brooke, holding much lower rank
than at present, was attached 10 the garrison.
horse for exercise ana was tempted TO try the
animals speed. Brooke heard of it and ad-
ministered d harsh punishment. The boy
went 10 the young lawyer from Missouri. Mr..
Elk1ns prosecuted with such v1gor that Yer-
dict OF thousands OF dollars in damages was
returned against the officer. That judgment
hung over BrooKe for more than twenty years.
1t could not reach his pay, but it could and
staud in the way of business transactions.
tinally an act OF Congress was passed 10 Ie-
Heve him.
With such recolleetiOns of mutual acQuaint-
ance the Senator aid the brigadlar got down
10 the consideration of the question OF pro-
mo ion. l. took more than one interview and
more than one visit TO the President 10 reach
salts acIory conclusion. Tnen Senator Cock
rell, whose policy as the leading Democrat on
the military committee has been opposition to
promotions on the eve OF retirement, had TO
be seen. His careful considera ion OF the case
satisfied him that Mrs. Kereus womanly SYM
pathy had not been misplaced. The danger OF
opposition 10 confirmation was removed
Brooke gave reluctant consent. Bliss was
nominated and retired.