The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-16

IiAiNTAph ~ ~ Ills p" 'NSl"
has been refused him. Yet no leader
Is more beloved and admired by his
men. An officer Who formerly served
under him sale yesterday that In bat
tie he was like a flash Of lightning"
and that one Of the traits for which
he was most remarkable was his
thoughtfulness for his men.
Now. behind all human actions there
are human motives, and IL would be
extremely interesting to know just
what have been the m~ainsprings act
uating the conduct of the war depart
ment during the recent conflict. The
cause of the ascendency of Corbin
must remain for the present partly
yelled in mystery; mayhap history will
reveal IL. But the motive underlying
his course of action is single and plain
enough; II was the ambition to be
made lieutenant general. Strange IL
may seem that a subordinate officer,
until within a few months but a col
onel in the service, should aspire to
preferment over the head of a COM
mander-in-chief like Miles. Yet, there
was no impossibility involved. The
president. mind you, could take a clerk
in a dry goods shop. IL he chose, and
make him a lieutenant general. II the
senate did not object. And the SEN
ate always indorses a presidential ~
pofntment, unless there Is some spe-
cial reason for objection. With Nc
Kinley and Alger back OF him, there
was an excellent prospect for Corbin.
II was with this ambition in view
II report does not grossly lie-that Cor
bin secured the appointment OF so
many sons of senators and of persons
possessing political influence. This be-
ing done. a bill was introduced. rails
ing the adjutant general. now a briga-
der, TO the rank OF major general;
but only, mind you, during the life
time of Corbin. 1t was a measure for
his benefit exclusively. At the same
time a movement was initiated to re-
create the rank OF lieutenant general.
Was this for the beneit of Miles?
Well. echo W hardly. 1t was de-
signed to accomplish the preferment
OF Corbin.
Many men are acquainted with Cor
bin. but few know him we'll. Those
who are his nearest familiars say that
he Is a selfish man-thst the only per-
son he is really fond OF is III. c. Cor
bin. He Is accused, perhaps. unJustly,
OF being a time server-of bowling
down to those who may be serv1ceable
for his advancement He has been a
friend Of presidents-the intimate OF
Hayes, OF Garfield, and. latest, OF No
4 kinley. His military record amounts
to nothing. During the civil war he
| was court martialed on a charge OF
cowardice. but was acquitted. n so
that accusation falls to the ground.
Rutherford Il. Hayes seems TO have
made Corbin's acquaintance when the
latter was stationed at Columbus,
ohio. A mutual liking grew up be-
tween them, M Corbin was placed on
duty at the executive mansion imme-
diately after Hayes Inauguration. The
duty was merely nominal. implying an
4 n~RAaahNA Wnafl.a-. H. nnffDl
Afterwards the future adtutant gen.
eral became an intimate Of President
Garfield, and was recognized as a
member Of that Presidents Kitchen
cabinet Every president, be IL un-
d~erstood, has a " kitchen cabinet"
composed Of personal friends. whereas
his official cabinet comprises indi-
viduals selected on grounds OF state
policy. Grover Cleveland loved no man
so well as he loved TO be let alone.
and during his regime there was no
Corbin. The latter was sent out TO
fight Indians in the West.
Mckinley made Corbin adjutsnt
general OF the army. 1t Is a position
Of peculiar personal relation to the
secretary OF WI for 70 gives military
expression TO the civil direction of mat
cabinet officer. All army orders signed
by the president are issued by Cor
bin. and the latter has charge OF the
movements OF all troops. He Is In
fact. the war department, though sub
ject TO superior authority. which may