Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-17
GEN. WHEElER'S CASE
No Special Significance in His Being Re-
Geved From Duty.
Active Service In the Field. 1t is said
Has Undermined His
Health.

1t is said at the War Department that
there is no special significance in the fact
that Gen. Wheeler has been relieved from
further military duty in the Philippines
and ordered to return to the United States
Although he made no complaint, it is I'M
derstoOd that active duty in the field has
undermined Gen. Wheelers health, and
that it was dangerous for him to remain
in the tropical climate of the Philippines
much longer
Although it is not officially admitted that
Gen. Wheeler has resigned his commission.
1T is stated positively that If he has taken
such a step the President will suspend ac-
ton upon his resignation until ne had had
an opportunity to confer with him on the
subject with view to diSSuading him from
such a course. There is doubt as
Gen. Wh"eler's ability and patriotism. but
II Is feared that in his enthusiasm he has
attempted I task beyond his physical pow
erS of endurance.
He is nearly sixty-four years of age, the
statutory limit of active service in he
army. and but for that fact he would
have been appointed brigadier general in
the regular army.
The President is said to favor legislation
which will authorize the appointment of
Gen. Wheeler, Gen Wilson and Gen. Lee as
brigadier generals on the retired list in
reco gnition of their faithful services to the
country during and since the Spanish war
1t is said that that is one of the reasons
why Gen. Wheeler is summoned home at
this time His orders, which were issued
several days ago, require him to come to
W Washington, by way of San Francisco, for
consultation with the Secretary of War
If he has not already started on the long
voyage across the Pacific, he will do so in
d few days.
Will Not Get His Seat.
General Wheeler will be disappointed in
his expectation to take a seat in the House
on his return from the Philippines. There
is very general agreement on both sides
of the House that it has been clearly
shown by the examination of law and pre-
cedent that he has forfeited his right to a
seat in Congress. and that the only thing
open to him is to go back to his district
and seek reelection if he desires to con-
tinue service in Congress
No doubt is entertained that. if he seeks
reelection at a special election to fill the
vacancy, he will be returned to Congress,
perhaps without opposition: but it will be
held by the House, according to the best
authorities in both parties, that the seat
from this district is now vacant and will
remain SO until special election has been
held.
The suggestion has been made that Cen
eral Wheeler might have actually resigned
on or before the day of the meeting of this
Congress, thus qualifying himself to resume
his seat in the House; but this is disposed
OF by the fact that the records of the de-
partment show that he held his commits
sion and in the service when Con-
sress convened. This was examined into
when the question arose to whether his
name should be considered in making the
House committee assignments
Some of his friends in the House hope
that he may be induced not to make claim
to the seat but to go a once before his
people for reelection. They think he would
win greater distinction by this course, and
if reelected he would be entitled TO pay
Ont TrArr II .,F Tor IN
last as any elected TO the vacancy
would be.