The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-25
LEWIS AND GEN. MILES.
washington Post Feticfsntrs Inc
Country Iron the Combination.


Country Upon the Combination.
We trust there IS foundation ard ample
sarerSrructure for the report that taeA-
Mics = 20 have the counsel and adVic@
% Hen James Hamilton LEWIS during
the inquiry into tie raging beef eoatt0'ea-
~. SAYS the Washington Post. There
are several reasons why the Post permits
itself 10 indulge in this luxurious desire.
bur We would be lacking IN can6o- * We
neglected 10 admit that the principal one
Is based wholly upon selfish motives
The Post Is always delighted when Hon
James Hamilton Lewis IS in action. ara u
rs1akes bur tttle difference 70 us as 10
whAt cause generates the motive power.
But, ASIDE from cur personal desire. We
eandidly believe that Mr.. Iews @noA-
ledge Of things military, from beef 10
commandments: Ills attractive mode OF ar
irving at conclusions: his delightful V
shaped vocabulary. ard his knaek OK
knowing Just when ard where - talk
and when 10 refrain from il would he or
vast benefit TO Gen. Miles. At any rate,
we are confident that the reasons for the
appearance OF Hon. James Hamilton
Lewis in this connection are both nuner-
Gus and logical.
We are aware of the fact that at the
very outset We will be confronted with
presidents which might dissuade some
men from the task suggested for Mr.
Lewis. We Will be told that this inquiry
is 10 be a strict military affair: that I
Will be conducted behind closed doors;
that 1t will be no place for ordinary per-
SONS. and that Gen. Miles, not being on
trial. viii not be entitled 50 the pres nee
and advice Of counsel. The bulk Of these
objections can be answered from a eta
tor OF the fact that Hon. James Hamll
ton Lewis Is not an ordinary person; that
he has had military experience; that he IS
aY.a.s Mt ri
he Is given but q small opportunity. he
VIII cut and slash his way through the
pssky military red tape with the same
ease and the parliamentary grace he en-
ploys when he dashes through the pariia-
mentary barbed wire in the house OF rep
resentatives. Give Hon. James Hamilton
Lewis the opportunity. and, To employ
somewhat popular expression. he VIII
proceed 10 DO the rest
The Post is not Il partisan Of Hon. James
Hamilton Lewis. II IS true that We have
frequently had cause 10 commend his acts
and utterances. He crates. vociferates
and perorafes in a manner which cannot
but commend admiration from men who
are not blinded by mere difference Of
opinion. The uneXpeetedness of The man
and the refreshing manner In which he
gives the debonair toss Of his artistically
decorated head 10 presidents must be
taken into consideration when We con-
template our subject But Mr.. Lewis
doesn't depend solely upon his perennial
surprises or MS dehonairty for his great
ness. Under the most trying circumstances
he has demonstrated himself 10 be 4 born
leader OF men. Although he has never
been elected 10 leadership he has fire.
quently brushed aside that imaginary han
dicap and, Ike a magnificent fire engine
horse. rushed to the rescue OF his party
on the floor OF the house OF representa-
lives.
1t IS true that Hon. James Hamilton
Lewis is sometimes compelled TO run down
some OF the legislative tots who are so IN
discreet as to get In his way, but such
acts are only incidental, and not premedi-
tated. and We are confident that Mr.. Groxs-
venor and others Of his victims viii not
attribute malice aforethought 10 the man
from Washington. The Post is SO fond OF
Hon. James Hamilton Lewis that It took
chances on al injury to the credit OF the
nation to such an extent as to suggest TO
the voters OF Washil rytOn that he be re-
turned to congress. 1t is true that the ad-
vice was wasted and the brilliant nasher
OF monotoDy is soVu TO retire to private
life, but he VIII be heard from In the fu-
ture. There is no eXcIUsiveness dense
enough or any walk Of private life so $50
lated as to throw Hon. James Hamilton
Lcws into state Of innocuous desuetude.
We pass Hon. James Hamilton Lewis up
to the gentlemen who are to operate upon
the army beef with the Interrogation seal
pei. with sincere regard for all con-
cerned, we commend him and invite them
10 partaAe OF his wit. wisdom, tact and
versa tijity. He viii not only guard the in
terests Of Gen. Miles. but the additions he
alll make TO the gayety OF nations viii
more than compensate for the incsions 10
military red tape involved.