The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-04
COMMAND OF ARMY IN CUBA.
PRESIDENT MAY SEND IN NOMINA-
TIONs TODAY.

Gen. Wheeler and Gen. Lee to BE the
Major Generals From the south.
Those Selected for the North Gen.
James II. Wilson of Delaware and
Gen. william j. SeweII of New
Jersey-NO InkIing Given Out as to
the Men Who Are to BE Brigadier
Generals.
Washington, May 3.-After due delibera-
ton, the President has decided to formal
~ announce the appointment Of four ma
jor generals and eight brigadier generals.
The nomina lions are expected to go to
the Senate tomorrow
The greatest interest naturally centers
around the selection of major generals. To
prevent any intimation of sectionalism,
the President has selected Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee of Virginia, and Gen. Joseph Wheeler
of Alabama as the representatives Of the
Southern volunteers, and Gen. James H.
Wilson of Delaware and Gen. William j.
SeweIl of New Jersey as the representa-
tives of the Northern forces.
The selection of Gen. Sewell comes in the
<nature of a surprise, for he will have to
reinqush his seat in the United States
Senate, which is one of the most tempting
prizes in national politics. Gen. Sewell
rendered his services to the President at
the first intimation OF war with Spain, and
il was not until to-day that the President
concluded to accept them. After per-
sonal interview with the President and
inf hi fr5a dc
that a commission had been offered him
and he had accepted it.
Later in the day Gen Wilson, accom-
panied BY Senator Gray of Delaware, cali
ed at the White House and received from
the President the announcement that his
appointment had been decided upon. Gen.
Wilson is a fine specimen of physical man.
hood and he looks every inch a soldier.
He made a favorable impression upon all
who met him at the White House and
the war department. and his appointment
gives general satisfaction.
The selection of Gen. Lee and Gen.
Wheeler have been discounted by the as
surances the President has given these two
officers and their friends, so that theis
appointment had been regarded as a fore
gone conclusion for more than week past
There were number of other candidates
for major general commissions, but for
the present the President has determined
to select but four volunteer officers for
such high-grade positions. If in the fu-
ture he should deem ii advisable to in
crease the number he still has a valuable
supply of military material to draw upon.
One of the most conspicuous names re-
Gently brought to the considera ton of the
President for major generals commits
sion is that of ex-senator NJ. c. Butler OF
81
the most daring and skllful cavalry COM
manders in the Confederate service, and
although he is past 60 years, he is one
of the best preserved men in public life
to-day. His name was presented to the
President by his political rival and parti-
san enemy, Senator Tillman. As soon as
il was known that the name of Gen But
Ter had been suggested to the President
all of the leading members of the Senate
Republicans and Democrats, with whom
Gen. Butler had served during his three
terms in the Senate, united in a request
to the President for his appointment
It is quite an unusual thing for sena-
tors of all factions and parties to come
together when an important appointment
Is at stake but Gen. Butler probably has
a larger personal following in the Sen.
ate than any man who has occupied a
seat in that body during the past quarter
OF "a century. Gen. Butler had an inter,
view with the President and Secretary AL
ser to-day and assured them that while
he appreciate the high compliment ten
dered him by his senatorial friends. he
did not wish the President to be Influenced
in his behalf by their recommendation. He
added that he was ready and willing TO
serve his country in any capacity and in
any position to which he might be assign
ed and expressed the hope that the Presi-
dent would not consider him as a seeker
for military or civic honors.
During the conversation some pleasant
ries were exchanged between Secretary
Alger and Gen. Butler relative to their
experiences in the war between the states.
How Is your health now, Butler?" in
quired Secretary Alger "You look As
young as you did twenty years ago."
We'll, all l can say is that I secured a
$4,000 increase in my life insurance a
few months ago, and the examining sur
gcon says am good for twenty-five years
yet There is one thing certain, cannot
! take yellow fever in this" exclaimed Gen.
| Butler. holding up his wounded leg, you
! yankees filed it fun of lead in the late
| war, and l have them with me vet as
souvenirs of the OCCASION"
I