New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-09
MILES AND THE STAFF BILL
AN INCONSISTENCY CALLED TO THE
PRESIDENTS ATTENTION.
ATTITUDE OF GENERAL GRANT TOWARD
THE ARMY MISREPRESENTED.
tBY 1ELE3RAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

ATTITUDE OF GENERAL GRANT TOW ARD
THE ARMY MIsREPREsENTED.
(BY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEl
Washington, April S-The opposition Of Cen
eral Miles to the army staff consolidation bill
urged by the administration is being cited as
one of the chief arguments in favor Of the meas
ure and as emphasizing the necessity for abol-
fishing the anomalous condition of two distinct
heads TO the service. provided by the consti
tuition and elected by the people and the other
standing menace to military subordfnation,
reaching his position by seniority of service.
Just before the President started for Charles
ton his attention was called to a notable in
stance of inconsistency in General Miess test-
mony before the Senate committee. which will
probably provoke executive action on his return.
if for other purpose than to have the true
attitude of General u s. Grant toward the army
accurately stated.
General Miles at his hearing presented the
letter written by General Grant on January ~,
1866 to Secretary Stanton, setting forth certain
reasons why he should be regarded command
ing the army in fact well as in title. and as
independent in strictly military matters of the
Secretary of War, attitude In all respects
similar to that of the present lieutenant general
commanding. and for that reason presented IN
extenuation of his own opposition to the Presi-
dents recommendations.
senior officers of the army since General Grants
time. is that as President for two terms he took
the same stand for maintaining the constitutional
provision for actual military command by the
President and through a public order rescinded
the regulation General Miles now contends for
after trial for just three weeks Of the plan of
having a commanding general independent OF
the War Department. and finding II preposter-
PRESIDENT GRANTS ORDERS
Promptly on March 5, 1869 the day after his
Inauguration, he caused General Schofeld. as
Secretary of War to issue the following general
orders:
BY direction Of the President General William
T. Sherman will assume command OF the army OF
the United States.
reaus viii report to and act under the Immediate
orders of the general commanding the army All
euires the action Of the President Secretary of
to the Secretary War and. in general all orders
from the President or Secretary OF War to any
ted through the general Of the army.
Ever since this order issued the Presi-
dent has exercised command over the army.
though for years before that time he had dele
gated his authority.
But the plan of altogether subordnating his
own Cabinet adviser to permanent military
officer quickly demonstrated It's weakness, and
abandoned IN the following oluer, lSSueu
by Secretary Rawlins March 20. 1863:
BY direction of the President the order Of the
Secretary OF War. dated War Department, March
8 1863. and published in General Orders No H.
Headquarters Of the Army Adjutant Generals OF
flee, dated March s. 1869 except so much as d.
reefs General w. T. Sherman to assume command
OF the army OF the United states, Is hereby To-
scinded. All official business which by law or regu-
lations requires the action OF the President or Sec
OF War will be submitted by the chiefs or
staff corps. departments and bureaus to the Score
tary of War. All orders and instructions relating
to military operations issued by the PRESIDENT or
eral Of the army.
thirty-four years 1t is clear that General Grants
attitude was not General Miles represented 1t,
and that he should take advantage OF the Oppor-
tunity afforded to make the correction.
It Is declared at the War Department that the
commanding general has FASTENED to oppose ev-
cry action Of Secretary Root since the latter
entered President McKinley's Cabinet. and that
his antagonism TO reform legislation proposed
by the administration has become intolerable.
The Army War College. which is regarded by all
officers of the greatest factors for mill
tary improvement ever devised. Is object OF
his opposition, and his attitude regarding the
post exchange is against the sentiment Of prac-
tically the entire army. He is at odds with his
immediate superiors. II is said at the depart
ment, every question that arises, often
minor matters OF routine nature which gov
erned by long established precedent. The pa
tience Of the administration 1t is declared, has
been exhausted, and it Is thought that the
trement of General Miles from active service
cannot be much longer postponed.