The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-05
THE VANITY OF "OAN" SICKLES
A Poser Who Never Loses an Oppor-
tunity to show Himself.


Washington. July 4.-Gen. Dan Sickles
is having hard luck in his fight to GUST
Commissioner Evans from the Pension
Office Those who know Gen. Sickles in
timately are aware that the Old veteran
has a weakness for newspaper notoriety.
Like the professional Snowman, he can
siders a newspaper notice good. had or in
different, so much free advertising. Gen.
Sickles has generally had considerable
difficulty in inducing right-minded people
to take him seriously and regard him as a
great national character. That does not
prevent the General, however, from dom
ming his major generals uniform upon
the slightest provocation. and appearing
on dress parade, for the benefit of those
who can derive any JOY at babolding his
more or less imposing figure.
AS poser" Gen. Dan has few equals
in this or any other country. He must
have been great warrior a distinguished
diplomat and statesman, during his long
career. judging from the number of med
ais, decorations, both foreign and domes-
tic. which covers the breast of his uni
form coat from shoulder straps to belt,
whenever he appears at public function
One of the most glaring Incidents of
Gen. Dams vanity and presumption oc-
CURED in this city at the last Inaugural
ton of President Mckinley. 1t will be re-
membered that Gen. Dan was invited to
serve as chief marshal of the veterans
association in the inaugural parade He
demanded to be given the right OF line
in the procession and threatened to keep
all of the Grand Army organizations out
of the parade unless his demands were
complied with. There were several days
IF rowing of he In
augural Committee and a compromise
was effected which, for the time being.
soothed the savage breast of Gen. Dan
and his veterans.
AS an evidence of Gen. Dams posing"
proclivities, the occupants of the grand
reviewing stands in front of the Presi-
dents house were obliged to witness
most remarkable bid for public notoriety
and official recognition by Gen. Sickes.
The veterans division with Gen. Sickles
on horseback had passed the Presidential
reviewing stand, and proceeded along
the route of of march towards
Georgetown. In the meantime
heavy rainfall set in, and through
a driving rain, appeared Gen. Sickles
strolling leisurely down the cleared Penn
sylvania avenue toward the Presidents
stand. He had dismounted several blocks
away. resumed his crutches, and in full
ANGeias iiNibNAhS MS nuIlCLOuS dSCOId-
tions, he wandered aimlessly along as il
seeking shelter from the elements.
Such conspicuous figure and such
well-known character in Washington
could not fail to attract general atten-
ton, especially among the domestic and
foreign dignitaries assembled on the re-
viewing stand. Without appearing to be
bidding for an invitation to come in out
of the wet the General stopped directly
in front of that portion Of the stand occu-
pied by the President, Vice Pr esident, and
the members of the cabinet. 1t was evil
dent to everyone present what the Gen
erals intentions were. lie casually turn
ed around and respectfully saluted several
occupants of the stand. There was a whis-
pered consultation between the President
and the committeeman in charge Of the
arrangements, and it was concluded to in
Vite the General to come into the stand
He promptly accepted the invitation, and
not content with having a seat offered
him in the very small space reserved for
the President. Vice President, Gen. Miles
and Admiral Dewey. Gen. Sickles pressed
his way to the front of the stand and
took the position right next to the Presi-
dent and proceeded to assist in reviewing
the remaining portion of the parade