The Washington weekly post., 1900-11-20
An Incredible Narrative.

Quite the Most extraordinary story we
have read for some time past appeared in
the New York Sun of Monday morning.
the 18th. 1t purports to be a truthful ac-
count of one of the most startling episodes
of modern times, considering the date, the
place, and the occasion. The date was
within the past fortnight, the place was
the Union League Club and the occasion
was banquet in honor OF Hon. Mark A.
Hanna, the Warwick of the campaign
Just then triumphantly terminated. We
have often expressed our respectful
amaZement at the almost unerring GER
tainty with which the private affairs ~
New York clubs find their way into the
newspapers. Scores of times have we
seen naraded IN one or more of our great
metropolitan dailies the fact that this or
that man had just been blackbaned in
this or that exclusive club, and the publ
cation nearly always included statements
by leading members-sometimes actually
by members of the governing committee
exploiting the whole affair, together with
its attendant gossip, scandal, animosi-
ties, &c. These practices have not yet
reached the provinces, so, naturally, they
surprise the benighted rustics of Wash
ington and other remote towns.
The narrative given to the Sun purports
to come from more or less DISTINGUISHED
Republican parsonage who was present.
He preludes it with the remark that per
haps sit isn't nice to tell what occurred
at a private dinner but, of course little
things like that don't really count in swell
New York clubs. for he proceeds at once
with his revelations:
''stll' 1t is good story, in my estimation, and,
Of course, the Sun is entitled to it, Well. here
goes. II came time for Gen. Greene to speak. Ha
In his best mood He is a fDe-loelipe
sodierly fellow. He was very happy because En-
peror Dick Croker's estimate of 50 900 for Bryan
in the borough of Manhattan had been cut down
to less than 2s.00O. Gen. Greene said some very
handsome things Of Senator Hanna, the guest Of
the evening. Turning to Mr.. Hanna, Gen. Greene
said: To you. sir, l owe my army appointment,
my selection as a brigsder general, and my as
signment to the Philippines
"a Hold on there interrupted Gen. Alger, rising
from HIS chair Where was l. Gen. Greene, during
all that time? Was not Secretary Of war?'
:" Certainly you were. SIR suayely replied Gen.
Greene. but you merely made the appointments
recommended by my friend Senator Hanna
Gen. Alger still on his feet. He was
nettled.
Let me say TO you. Gen. Greene rasped back
Gen. Alger, that very appointment you received
during the Spanish war was recommended by my
dear old friend who sits on my right. Senator
Piatt and that without his Endorsement you would
not have been anywhere. for the reason that you.
as New York Republican, was compelled to re-
eeiys his Endorsement before either the President
OF his Secretary of War would act
"senator Hanna grinaed everybody else at the
table smiled and It was an interesting bit of the
evening"
We are free to say that we have mighty
little faith in this alleged bit Of history.
Without knowing anything as TO Gen.
Greene further than that he is a grad
uate Of West Point, and made an excel
lent record in the service. and, therefore.
ought 10 be a gentleman, we find il difn-
cult TO believe that any one of military
education and experience would have COM
mitted so rank a solecism as is here al
legged. The utterance attributed to Gen.
Greene not only puts him In the position
OF an abject toady. but ascribes TO him
the graver improperly OF suggesting thar.
during the affair OF 1855. the President and
the Secretary of War were mere marion
cites TO be manipulated by Mr. Hanna at
his caprice. Speaking on general prinei-
pies, we should say that man OF Cen.
Greene's past record and present position
must De incapable OF such d breach OF
courtesy and common sense.
Again, It should be borne IN mind that
Gen. Russell A. Alger, former Secretary
OF War. was present On the occasion, and
thus Greene's speech-if 1t were really de-
llyered-must have been intended as
deliberate insult and humiliation OF him.
Whether Greene was one OF the clique that
bounded Gen. Alger throughout those
shameful months, beginning with jane,
1855 and ending only with his retirement,
We have no means OF knowing. II he
made the speech ascribed 10 him, We can
well believe he was. II, as We prefer 10