Evening star., 1901-11-16
INFLUENCE WILL NOT COUNT.
Promotion of Army Officers to Depend
Upon Their Records.

Promotion of Army Officers to Depend
Upon Their Records.
Secretary Root Is authority for the state
ment that the President will not fill the
two vacancies in the list Of brigadier gen.
erals caused by the retirement Of Generals
Merriam and Hall until Congress meets.
The following official declaration on the
general subject Of political influence in the
army was made at the War Department
late yesterday afternoon:
.'The Secretary of War and the President
have had informal discussions on army
matters on several occasions. and 1t is un-
derstood that the President has expressed
himself most positively on the use OF
political and social influence by officers for
the purpose of obtaining changes of sta
tions, leaves Of absence, notifications OF
orders, etc. OF course, 1t is understood that
officers often deem 1t necessary to have
attention called to their cases by political
friends for appointments, especially cases
Of the young volunteer officers who recently
have been appointed 1t Is safe to say,
however that at no period in the history
of our government has the matter of rec
ord been used to such good purpose as dur
ing the present reorganization Of the army,
when the greatest possible care has been
taken in the selection sef persons for ap-
pontment in the rforgapized army.
1.-THE President has tnat hesitated to in
form senators and others who have ap-
piled to h1m Inat uQ OAlSeT Will improve MS
chances by sending his friends to annoy the
President in his behalf.I On the contrary,
the effect which Wi1 bsOproduced probably
will be directly opp0sitseto that which the
candidate hopes for, Several senators ana
representatives haze, had some dsappoint-
ment because the kpersens In whom they
are interested have not received the appoint
ments and stations applied for by them, but
the administration.sA AS q whole Is evidently
of the opinion thai 2tfH good sense ana
judgment of public naens swill lead them to
the same conclusion as that arrived at by
the President and, Secretary Of War-that
is, If a system of rSeords be thoroughly es-
tablished at the War Department showing
the progressive work efnofficers from year
to year it will be fargbsfter for the officers
and men, as well as public officials, that
such register be made the guide for se-
lectfons details ETC., rather than influence.
The appeals of individuals to their con-
gressmen for their personal assistance in
matters above enumerated neeessitates pub
lie men giving up great deal of their
time in locating the proper office at which
to apply for information and the filing OF
appeals. This takes them away from their
legitimate duties while Congress Is In ses-
sion, and also. interferes greatly with the
public business of the departments. It is
fully recognized by public officials that the
proper men In the first Instance to estab-
are the senators and representatives from
their own home and It is eminentiy Jusr
and proper that their influence should be
respected, and they should be responsible
for the character of the persons recom-
mended for Office; but onee In the public
that not only army officers. but all other
classes OF public office holders, should rely
upon their own merits and not upon the
further use OF political induence."