The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-21

apprehend in the ease of erroneous
judgment or feebleneSs of execution,
and the satisfaction which we felt in
having found a man whose ability and
character were adequate to the diff
cult task of executing our national
policy The government of occupied
territory IS military duty of a high
order and involves the exercise of many
OF the most important qualities of a
general officer.
HE RENDERED GOOD SERVICE.
1t Is OF great importance to any coun-
try to have among its general officers
men who measure up to the perform
ance of such duty, and the successful
performance of such a duty is general
ly and justly regarded as a title to mil
1tary promotion. Upon a review of
General Woods entire military record
think it fair to say that no officer of
the American army below the grade of
major general has held more important
commands, rendered more distin-
gulshed service, or demonstrated to a
higher degree the possession of the
qualities which fit man to render
jor general.
WIN you permit me to add an obser-
walton upon the principle which sound
policy requires the president to follow
IN making appointments to general Of
fee?
The law which recognizes seniority
alone as the title to promotion up to
the grade of colonel abandons that rule
| when 1T deals with general officers and
imposes upon the president the duty
/ OF selecting the best men for generals
with expressing any limitya-
| ton upon the class from which he is to
make the selection. When such selec-
ton is to be made, two different con-
sfderatfons always present themselves
to the appointing mind. One is the de-
sire to reward long and meritorfous
service. The other is the duty to Sc
cure the best possible man to do the
things that ought to be done in the flu
ture for the efficiency of the military
establishment, the preparation of the
country for war and for success in war;
Which we are always bound to contem-
plate as possible. It frequently happens
that these two considerations do not CO.
fncide in pointing toward the same
man. The appropriate reward of honor
frequently comes to our officers when
their careers are about to close-Whan
they have passed the period of initia-
tive or ambition and strenuous exertion
and have come to the period of COM
parative repOse.
An army, all of whose general Off
GERS are selected for the purpose of
comforting rewards, and thus having at
| its head a constantly shifting body of
general officers, none of whom has
more than a very few years to serve,
all or nearly all of whom are just clos
| Ing their careers and resting upon
| their laurels, cannot possibly reach the
highest standard of efficiency. To have
a live army which keeps abreast of the
times, in a constant state of prepara-
| ton and ready to meet emergencies
with the greatest activity and force,
we must have a reasonable proportion
of it's general officers selected from the
men in the prime of life, with careers
to make, with ambition, energy, initi-
atfve, and whose service will be long
enough to maintain continuity of
I w-Ir4w1
out ideas which require time for their
accomplishment.
In the selection of this class OF Off
GERS, the alEimportant thing is the
demonstration of exceptional capacity
| for the work which the country will
rely upon the man to do. Previous
rank is of little consequence provided
the service shall have been long enough
to furnish the requisite experience and
make the demonstration of capacity
certain. Public discussion of promo
lions to general office usually proceeds
upon the view that promotion is to be
considered only as reward, but CRATE
| full as it is to reward past services and
! important as it is that they should be
rewarded, I cannot doubt that the
! highest duty of the appointing power,
which is responsible for the future
| efficiency of the army, is to secure the
man of exceptional capacity.
| Where these two considerations point
| to the same man, as they sometimes
do. the course is plain. Where they do
not point to the same man it seems
| judicious to fairly divide the appoint
ments to general office, making a part
primarily with a view to reward and
part primarily with view to future
service. I think both considerations
unite in this case. These facts in Cen
eral Woods record and these views of
public policy were the reasons which
led President Mckinley to select Gen
eraI Wood for brigadier general of the
regular army in preference to many
officers of higher regular rank and to
appoint him to that office upon the
nomination which you confirmed three
years ago next February. The present
nomination is in the regular order of
seniority according to the rank then
established by the action of the pres
ident and senate, and indicates that
the president sees no reason for revers-
ing or departing from the conclusion
then reached. Very truly yours,
(Signed) ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War.
General order No. SO, under date of
March rs, 1903, when General Wood was
relieved from further duty in Cuba,
having completed his services as mill
tary governor. pays him this tribute:
1.-THE administration of General Wood,