The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-23

repeated conferences with the secre-
tary OF war and General Corbin and
much reflection, the president has
adopted a new plan for the selection
Of candidates, which took effect when
Colonel Cheatham. of the Thirty-sev-
enth volunteers, which arrived In San
Francisco the other day, was instruct
ed to nominate twelve men from his
regiment to appear for examination at
the Preside barracks on Monday next.
They may be privates or non-commis-
stoned officers or commissioned ON
GERS. but Cheatham is asked to name
those who In his opinion have shown
the greatest efficiency and the most
soldierly conduct during the Philippine
campaign. When the Thirty-sixth reg
iment arrives on the 2sth Of the month
Colonel Grove will be invited to nomi-
nate similar number of men. The
Eleventh cavalry, under Colonel Lock-
ct, arrives on March 1, the Twenty
seventh infantry, under Colonel Cum
Minis. on March 10; the Thirtieth infan-
try, the Chicago regiment, under Col
onel Gardener, on March II, and the
Thrty-third and Thirty-fourth are due
on the first of April. AS fast as these
regiments arrive their commanders
will be ordered to recommend for ex-
animation those of their subordinates
who in their opinion have distinguished
themselves and are most entitled to
the promotion. Rank has nothing to
do with 1t. The sergeants and cor
porals, even the privates, are to have
just as good a show as the captains
and the majors, although the age limit
is 80 years.
From this time on examining
boards will sit continuously at the Pre-
sidio to ascertain the physical, mental
and moral qualifications of the men
so selected. There have been many
applications from the volunteer regi-
mcnts. both direct and through friends
in congress and elsewhere. About
one in ten of the soldiers In the volun-
teer army Is seeking a commission,
the total number of applications being
something over 1000. Many of them
come from enlisted men, college grad
yates and other ambitious young fel-
lows who went into the volunteer
mcnt to try the life Of a soldier. A
list Of applications is on file with Cen
eral Shafter and will be consulted I'm
making the selections although the
fact that a man has applied is no par
ticular advantage to him unless his
name appears upon the merit roll and
his application is indorsed by the colo
nol of his regiment. 1t is expected
that something like 700 or 500 candi-
dates will be named from the volun-
teer army. A similar number, more
or less, will be named from applicants
who served in the volunteer regiments
during the Spanish war, and they also
must submit to the same examination
to demonstrate their qualifications.
When the list is complete an investi-
cation will be made of the previous
history of each candidate in order
that his moral character and reputa-
ton may be ascertained, and then
an appointment will be made among
the different states according to popu-
lation. The lists of eligibles from
each state will be submitted for the
approval of the senators and repre-
sentatives, who can then have their
chance to recommend those whom they
prefer, but it will be a matter of ap-
rroyal only"
Those who have criticized i'm the
past, to be just, should now approve.
Justice Brewers indignant rebuke of
the manner in which many courts per-
init witnesses to be badgered by bull
doing cross-examiners Is most time
ly and should everywhere be noted.
The responsibility for this dsreputable
practice rests entirely uron the judges.
They can stop it whenever they want
to.