The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-09
poIIracs rHE ARmY.

1t is not at all surprising that the re-
cent patches OF promotions and changes
generally In the army made by the presi-
dent should have succeeded in aroustnS
bitter disappointment and lots of hostile
criticism While most of the promotions
are entirely merited, and will receive
public approval. the resulting inequah-
ties are effective in showing what
splendid thing it is to have a political
pull for use even in the army.
Perhaps the most significant circum-
stance which presents itself in connec-
ton with the prevailing criticisms of the
half is the one that OF the twenty one
senior officers Of the army only three
are West Pointers, and that the three
are at the bottom OF the list.
The West Point officer is usually a
poor politician. The present head of the
American army is not a West Point man,
but is pretty active politician. That
he is an effective politician Is in some
degree at least made plain by his present
prominence, although he has. it is unde-
niable. an excellent record for active
claim is that he finds himself named as
his own successor. No man who has
challenged the administra ten as openly
as he has would have been able to hold
L
itician. Ills cultivation of newspaper
agencies; his constant posing before the
country as warrior to whom all things
military are possible; his steady appear
ance in a character far removed from
one of q strictly professional nature,
have all tended to make him recognized
as something more of a diplomat than a
soldier.
But the ornament of the army retain
ers OF the administration is Gen. Corbin.
If he is not 4 marplot he is a badly
abused man. He is charged, if not
chargeable, with being the head of all
the maneuvering which has resulted
through the recent changes in effecting
such remarkable results as that an Of
ficer in the line of promotion to the high
est rank finds himself called upon to re-
port at Manila to his superior, another
who for a time was his adjutant
The G o b e has no thought of giving
personal application to any Of its i'm
pressions of the results of the recent
changes, nor of the statements which are
universally prevalent regarding the per-
sonal favoritism claimed to have been
shown in the executive action regarding
army officers. It would be an injustice
to all concerned to do so, and would pref
udice rather than advantage those whom
we might have reference to. But as a
public journal the G lobe feels that it
is justified in reprobating any line OF on
duct which turns the system Of army pro-
motions and retirements into a piece Of
machinery, to be used for the political
ends of any official or set CT officials,
however high in the public service.
There is, we believe, an army regula-
ton, which prohibits officers awaiting
themselves of the influence of their
friends in public life. In view of the
general effect of army promotions and
retirements under the present administra-
ton, it would not be wholly an undesir-
able proceeding If that regulation were
superseded at the earliest available day
Officers and gentlemen might not avail
themselves of the suppression, but at
least the action would give freer play to
the latent abilities as politicians of fu-
ture West Point graduates.