The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-18
OMIT PASSING THAT BILL.

| From the time tndL btncFdl Ctoutlb
was retired General Nelson A. Miles has
been he ranking Major-General OF the
United States army. and, in virtue Of
that fact. he has assumed 20 be the COM
harding officer Of that army, although
the Constitution makes the President
commander in CHER by its express terms.
We know very III tie OF General Miles
record as soldier during the war. but
We have an impression that It was
creditable one. though nothing in it would
suggest the idea of his being a military
genius.
As soon ss came 10 the position or
senior Major General of the United States
/ army Commanding" he, or his friends
for him. commenced maneuvering for n
| bin to be passed by Congress re-establish-
ing the rank OF aforementioned and
Having General Miles appointed to the
place Recently the bill has been report
ed favorably by the Military Committee
Of the Senate, the three Southern Sena-
tors on the committce-Bates, Of Tonnes
see: Cockerel. Of Missouri. and Walthall,
Of Mississippl-all Of whom had been gen.
erals in the Confederate army, voting
against the report The question will now
come before the Senate whether the bill
should be passed.
We are compelled to say that we hope
! General Miles will not be appointed TO
this place. lie has never performed any
! services which entitle him 10 IL. A bill
to create the Office for him was before
Congress during Mr. Clevelands last
term OF Office and Mr.. Lamont the then
Secretary OF War; put a quietus upon it
by q letter TO the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs, which contained the
following passage:
The present Major-Genorals Of our army
attained brilliant regulations for gallant
| rs while commanding subdivisions OF
| army corps during the late conflict, and
| have added 10 their laures since by ef-
| hcient performance Of arGuOus service
| upon the Indian frontier; but 1t is no re-
| Fiction upon these excellent officers 70
| say that the services they have so far
| rendered are not of that exalted and eX-
ceptional character that has hitherto been
regarded as prerequisite to the advance
| ment now proposed.
Noting that the grade OF Lieutenant
| General has not been regarded as per-
manent Office necessary 10 our army or
| ganlzation. and has been conferred only
| upon a few of those officers who have
| rendered marked services in war; that the
complimentary rank. when bestowed, has
| often been withheld until long after the
| demonstration of this superior ability
| and has only been voted as reward
| of great military genius and most con-
| spicuOus leadership, the conclusion Is
! reached that whatever the merits and
| promise Of any officers of our peace es-
| adjustment who as yet have had no OPP
| portunity 10 demonstrate their genius and
capacity as commanders of large armies
! by the measure heretofore required, the
existing conditions do not demand its re-
| vival az this time. Very respectfully,
DANIEL S. LAMONT.
Secretary Of War.
Hon. JOSEPH r. HAWLEY.
! Chairman Committee on Military Affairs
| United States Senate.
That contains quite reason enough why
| General Miles should not be elevated to
the rank Of Lieutenant General.
| But The Times has a reason why this
bin should not be passed which is much
more cogent and conclusive With it than
| that. General Miles in the spring Of 1865
was in command at Fortress Monroe and
when President Davis was sent there he
most brutally and without any reason
| for it, put irons and shackles upon him,
| and he did all In his power 20 mortify and
humilate him. The man who did that
should not be pressed forward at such
| time as this as the man TO be selected
for special honor and distinction by the
| United States government. II the United
| States have 10 fight such a war as is not
| vaguely limited at in which several OF the
| great Powers Of Europe embrace to crush
| democratic institutions IN the world, they
will want every resource Of the country,
and the hearty and cheerful support Of
the Southern people will count in untold
measure upon their side. That support
will not be given as cheerfuly if they are
opposed IN this way, as it would be I'M
| der different circumstances. General
| Miles should be content, therefore, TO re-
main where he is for the present at least
General Miles and his friends are seek
ing TO excuse his action in putting irons
upon Mr.. Davis by claiming that he was
required to do it by orders from the Sec
rotary Of War But, when the record is
searched the following facts ara found 10
constitute the case. In May. 1850, Mr..
| Charles 4. Dana, the Assistant Secretary
| Of War. made the following order:
Fort Monroe. Va, May p, 1865
Brevet Mai Gen. Miles is hereby au-
| thorized and directed 10 place manacles
and letters upon the hands and feet OF
| jefferson Davis and Clement c. Clay. Jr.,
whenever he may think il advisable in
order TO render their Imprisonment more
secure
BY order Of the Secretary OF War.
c. A. DANA,
Assistant Secretary OF War
A few days afterwards the Secretary Of
War sent the following telegram to Cen