New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-13
BITTER FIGHT OVER WOOD
NOMINATION HELD, UP.
Hanna and Teller Leading Oppose
tiOn-COnfrmdtion Expected.
[FRox THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE bitterness with
which the fight against the confirmation of
Leonard Wood major general will be con-
Quoted became evident to-day, when one prom
inent Senator characterized the aspirant for
promotion in scathing terms. Senator Teller.
who requested in executive session yesterday
that the nomination be held up until evidence
could be submitted to the Military Affairs Com
mittee, says that his only object in doing was
to enable certain army officers to present per-
tinent evidence to the committee
Senator Hanna maintains that such promo
ton should not be granted until certain grave
charges against the general have been thor
oughly investigated. 1t is evident. moreover.
that Mr.. Hanna hopes that the considerat ton of
this subject by Senate committee may result
in generating. at least in a measure. his friend,
Estes G. Rathbone. to whom Mr.. Hanna believes
a great injustice has been done
There is a general disposition on the Demo-
cratic side of the Senate TO crtticise. the rapid
promotion of General Wood but the admins
tration Senators meet this argument with the
statement that General Wood received his briga-
der generalship from President Mckinley as
reward for his notable services in Cuba that
the army regulations made it impossible for
President Mckinley to advance General Wood
to any grade other than that of brigadier gen.
eral and that. mis- promotion having been con-
frmed by the Senate at that time, it is now too
late for the same body to consider the ex-
pediency of such rapid promotion.
Attention is called. moreover to the fact that
President Roosevelt has no option other than
to accord to General Wood the promotion for
which he is row nominated. It comes to him by
virtue of his seniority it is declared. and for
the President to ignore his claims would doubt
less be construed a Reputation by the Presi-
IF
of Wood a brgadier general.
Senator Foraker will urge the confirmation of
General Woods promotion. He is in possession
of the statement made by the general before his
departure for the Philippines. in which he re-
| plies to the Rathbone allegations, and it. in the
| opinion of the Ohio Senator. completely refutes
| Rathbone's charges. Most of the members Of
! the Committee on Military Affairs are trying to
preserve judicial position. and that committee
! will give a hearing to Senators Hanna and
| Teller Thursday next, at which they will be
at liberty to produce such evidence as they may
! have at their command. Unless. however. they
| succeed in convincing the committee that Cen
| eral Wood has been guilty of conduct of which
! few even suspect him at the present time his
nomination will be favoraby reported and
| promptly confirmed.
CBy The Associated Pressl
Washington. Nov. 12.-The nomination of
Robert Shaw Oliver. of New-York. to be. As
sistant Secretary of War, ordered favor
| ably reported by the Senate Committee on Mill
tary Affairs to-day. No action taken on
| the nomination of Brigadier General Leonard
| Wood to be major general. in view of the re-
| quest made yesterday in executive session by
Senator Teller that he have opportunity to
| make inquiries concerning General Woods mill
| tary record Senator Proctor. the acting chair
man. will call a second meeting OF the Com
mittee Military Affairs within few days.
| It is the intention now that the meeting shall
be public. and a hearing granted TO all persons
opposed the nomination of General Wood.
The committee voted to recommend confrma ton
of the appointment of Major General Samuel r.
NJ Young to he lieutenant general, TO sccceed
General Miles retired. The appointment Of
BrigadIer General Samuel s. Sumner to be
major general, made before that Of General
Wood. was ordered favorably reported
So long the nomination of General Wood
is held up. about one hundred nominations Of
other army officers will remain Enacted on as
their promotion depends that of General
| Wood.