The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-04
COZ. LEWIS asD THE asCN.-
The Fiction About Hfs Membership Oh
National Guard.

N0tf00at o11"s
New York sun. April 2.
We have received many letters ABOUT me
now wo4d-samous congressman and iisa-
serans-colorsi OF militia who opposed the
Hull bill for the reorganization OF the
regular army because. as ne admitted
with astounding effronsery. 1T legisiates
me out Of ONCE
Some or these letters come from Fellow
townsmen OF the Hon. James Hamilton
Lewis In Seattle. They ali speak VITA
enthusiasm OF the ieutenant-colonel as
local attraction. He il anectiona's'y
known 10 the populace not only as Ham
Lewis. but also as Dude" Lewis, and
even as pink Whiskers-" From the point
of view OF the youngsters wha chase pa
rades along the streets OF the metropolis
OF Puget Sound. 1t IL incomprehensiole
that the congress OF the United States
should pass any law. no matter what the
national emergency may be. the effect Of
which would be TO strip from this heroic
figure It's buckskins and baskins. !ts frogs
and epaulets. and make mere miserable
civilian again OF the man who never
fiinched or faltered even at the very mug
zle OF the camera.
The Congressional Record shows that
the frank solicitude OF Congressman Lew
is about his militia rank and toggery has
not weakened under the fierce light that
now beats upon his whiskers. On Wednes-
day OF last week the subject OF military
reorganization was again before the
house. Lieut.-Col. J. Hamilton Lewis was
on his feet several times trying to ascer-
tain how he would be affected by the Leg
isiation proposed. When he got a chance
10 speak this was what he said:
II do not wish any time for the purpose
OF discussion. Blu. day or two since
manifested my anxiety respecting the
officers OF the National Guard. of whom
am one. There is a provision In this bill
which | thought related to that subject;
and l sought from the gentleman from
Iowa tGen. HullD the chairman OF the
committee. a response TO what l deemed
a courteous question. He did not, how
ever. find 1t agreeable to respond so that
/ might determine whether or not / de-
sired to amend the bill. I now respect
fully ask the distinguished gentleman
from Illinois tMr. Marsh). a member of
the committee. TO give me his views as a
committeeman In regard to the meaning
of these words: And any officer so SEE
lected and appointed from the regular
army shall be entitled to retain his rank
therein II an officer should be taken
from the regular army and put into the
volunteer service does this language mean
that he shall retain for all future time
such rank as he may attain in the vol
unteer servicer'
"A member-It means either
Mr.. Marsh-I do not think It means
either.
Mr.. Lewis Of Washington-Then may
/ ask my friend from Illinois to give me
what he understands TO be the meaning
of this clause, which is the only thing in
the bill at present which gives me any
anxiety"
The clause having been explained to the
satisfaction of the lieutenant-c9lonel and
congressman he subsidized until the next
time when legislation in the nations in
feresss shall seem to threaten his rank In
the militia.
Ihe published portrait OF Lieut. Col j.
Hamilton Lewis. OF the Seattle militia,
has produced profound sensation in mil
itary circles. 1t has likewise occasioned
an almost irresistible twltching In the
toes or the boots worn not only by the
west Point soldiers, wh,rn he has pub
heiy described as pamsered maudlins.
gisded military satraps and tasseled socie-
" sapheads. but also by all sensible and
patriotic members OF the National Guard.
which he mssrepresents In congress.
There is no danger. however. that the
Hon. J. Hamilton Lewis will be kicked
either by the regular army or by the Ma
tional Guard An act!al view of his stain
less sword, his gorgeous uniform his NIL
itary pose. and especially his pink wfis-
kers, would disarm the righteous indigna-
ton OF the sternost soul and leave no
room Tor other violence than that Of
mirth.