The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-08
FOR THE SENATE.


From, EG-psrs Weekly.
We do not doubt that Gen. Wood Is an able
man, with charm Of manner and other in
gratiating traits but what has ne done to
deserve this high military rank or 20 qualify
himself for the duties which !, involves, His
service as an army Surgeon made him so far
familiar with military life and methods that
when he was appointed Colonel OF Volunteers
he was doubtless much better qualified for the
place than were most militia officers or civil
appo!ntees But 10 be Colonel OF Volunteers
i one thing and 20 be a MaJor-Cirneral In the
Regular army with twenty years 20 serve IL
very much another A Major-General let
alone Il Lieutenant General should be OF
proved abilities as fghtlng man but not
FOR any considerable service as a fighting
man have Gen Woods successive promo
tons come He certainly has not fought
his way up Il is disputed whether he has
even worked his way up. Men well qualified
10 form an opinion insist that by the favor
OF the late President he Was passed rapidly
over the heads Of many officers whose quail
Hcatlons wars superior 20 his and their services
much more distinguished
Well then say the prOtestants turn
about is fair play Gen Wood was jumped
Owe! the heads OF more deserving men. Why
rot now have a comparison o! recent records?
Why should not such officers ~ Franklin Bell
Tasker II. Bliss. Joseph p, Sanger Thomas
II. Barry Z J MrClernand James s Petit,
Or Valsrv Hazard DR. l.. A La Gsrde .
Ernst Black q. ". Goe,hals John
Riddle Crol!er. Borup, Reber and Grsble. all
Of whom are IN the STAFF corps BE- considered
nov for promotion Oh their merits over the
head o! Gen. Wood Every one OF them
Is 4 better soldier than he, and their Names
DO rot begin 10 exhaust the LIST Bliss was
a better administrator than NJ" and did far
more important administrative work In Cuba
Bell u neon parably his superior as q soldier
II II was far to jump him over the heads Of
such men TWO or three years ago why not
Jump some OF them over his head now;
In our opinion, the po.2t so stated is well
taken. Gen. Wood Was amply rewarded
for his exertions by the late President. II
President Roosevelts relations with him
are so peculiarly close that he could not bring
himself 10 deny him this present promotion.
the Senate ought 10 concern itself yiRilantly
in the matter and decline 20 confirm the ~
pointmen; unless il shall appear that there
were better reasons for making il than the
personal intimacy OF the appo!ntee with TWO
successive Presidents
There are mighty important or'ces which
the President might give 70 such man AS
Gen Wood without exciting criticism Of i'm
porrauce but a M ior-GeE@ra!ship in the
army is not one o. tim. That ought 70 20
to an officer Of thorough military training
and distinguished record That it should
go TO an officer whose career as a fighting
mar began no more than Ave years ago
and whose military record though creditabla
is brilliant ou!y IN lis rewards cannot but
be exceedingly discouraging and demoralz-
ing 20 the faithful Ulcers OF the army. II il
a shock to discipline and il comes curiously
enough from a President whose interes.
in the army has been active and intel gent
beyond what is common and under whose ad-
Tninistration and WITH whose help great prog
rAss has been made IN making the army an
efficient machine.
II was not chars cteri-tic Of President Roose-
welt 10 give Ma. or Gener 4lship 10 a man
who had not earned IL We must conclude
that in Gen. Woods case either the personal
motives for making the appointment wers
so peculiarly strong "a 20 overcome his sense
OF fitness or that his opinion of the value
OF Gen. Woods services and OF his military
abilities IL exceedingly high. The remedy
lies with the Senate which should not fail
and We think will not fail 20 examine care
fully into Cen Woods qualifications and
military record and decline 10 confirm the
appointment II 1t shall prove TO be ineIpe-
deLt and undeseryed