Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-08-06
(CoxMUNICATED.
wAsHIsoros. July q. 1879

ing OF teeth ana angry Oohs III anu
around the War Department these
days when the name of Leonard
Wood is mention in the hearing OF
some OF the old veterans.
OF those whom love of Roosevelt
hath singled out the name OF Wood
overtops all the slate OF army officers
intended for promotion. There is
pathos as well as iniustice in the
fact that scores Of gallant and ac-
complished officers CT the civil war
are to be retired and denied forever
the chance that is marked out for
the Presidents playground pal.
Simply because Wood has been the
friend, confidant and playfellow Of
the playful young man who happens
10 be President of the United States,
Leonard Wood, five years ago an
army doctor, with rank of Captain,
has been continually and rapidly
advanced in rank, pay and power
over the heads OF older and better
soldiers, whose lives have not only
been faithfully devoted 70 the SER
vice OF their country, but who have
been imperilled in every crisis that
confronted it in forty years.
Ii matters not il she old veterans
shed their blood for the Union and
are entitled by every precedent of
military usage, every need of honor
and all logic OF Justice TO rank above
this little while ago army apothe-
cary. From Colonel of volunteer
regiment to major general Of volun-
teers and then brigadier general
in the regular service. Then to
governor general of Cuba, aposition
in which. he was allowed unlimited
power along with the privilege Of
disbursing $50, 900, 900, for which he
has been held accountable tOnothing
and nObody save himself and his
own sweet will. 1t has mattered
not that accusations so grave against
General Wood Is conduct in Cuba as
to provoke an effort to have his adj
ministration investigated. Wood
was supremely indifferent TO his ac-
cusers. Had not President Roose-
velt in public speech denounced
them as branded with infamy2"
So Rooseyeit's congressman and
ROoserelt's administration blocked
absolutely all inquiry as to Woods
conduct in Cuba. Wood s notorious
acceptance Of costly gifts from the
"Jal Alai." well-known Havana
gambling concern, was published
everywhere. 1t was all right with
Roosevelt If Wood did it, When the
question OF Cuban reciprocity was
pending before Congress Wood
busted himself seeking TO influence
legislation, employing Cuban funds
to promote reciprocity. 1t happen
ed at the same time that the beet
sugar people of the West appealed
to Secretary of the Department OF
Agriculture James Wilson, as their
friend, to say word TO congress
men. Not regarding it as proper
for an executive officer to appear to
meddle with the affairs of the legis-
lative branch of the government.
Mr.. Wilson declined. But il was
different with Wood. He could do
what no other executive officer
dared to attempt. Wood had no
sooner become governor general of
Cuba than he at once consorted with
certain newspaper writer's to dis
credit the administration of his pre- /
decessor, General Brooke, and to
boost the administration of General
Wood. One of Wood s favored pro-
teges in the exploitation on his auto
cratic glories was one Ballairs a
former convict in the Florida peni-
tertiary. Wood through this fellow
and others who stopped over about
him continually and complacently.
took credit for what was due others
and laughed at every bad thing that
was imputed TO him. Returning To
Washington at the close OF the
American occuption OF Cuba, Wood
loafed at and around the White
House. Although an officer of the
army and liable 30 duty, for months
and months, he was allowed to idle
in Washington unassigned, do
ing utterly nothing of which |
the pulic could learn except
to chase across country with Roose-
welt and slapstick with him in the
Roosevelt White House playroom. 1
At last the time comes for Wood tn /
De moving. The best of friends
must some time tire of each others
company. So it is arranged for
Wood TO go to the Philippines, there.
in the due course Of expeditions ar
rangement, TO be military chief.ain
OF the archipelago. Now, having
been made major general, with abo-
miuablo iniustico rrafarra6 .t.-. |