New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05
LIKELY TO CONFIRM WOOD
OPINION IN THE SENATE.
Favorable Committee Report Err
pected-Charges Not Sustained.
rFRoat rHE TF1BrNE RrRrAr-

Washington. Dec 4-The confirmation Of
Leonard Wood q major general in the United
States Army is regarded as assured BY trust
worthy authorities in the Senate The opposi-
tion, it is said has presented practically all the
evidence it can secure, and as the Military At
fairs Committee stands there viii be only
two votes against a favorable report on the
nomination, one Of which et least, will be given
by Senator who was against Wood before the
committee held its first hearing.
From the most authoritativ sources tnclud-
ing members of both parties in the Senate. The
Tribune correspondent learns that not only has
the opposition TO General Woods confrmatio
presented no new evidence. but that it has sue
ceeded in manifesting 70 every member Of the
committee whose attitude was not predeter-
mined the intense personal animus which has
actuated the attack on General Wood. and has
induced men to place themselves in a pitiable
light in their desire for revenge Contrary TO
general report. the widest latitude has been
given to the opposition TO present its evidence
Every witness who could or believed he could
present anv facts germane 70 the examination
has been permitted 70 make his point the line
being drawn only when witness prefaced his
remarks with some such announcement as this.
7 have no personal knowledge Of but 7 have
heard etc
II difficult 70 restrain their impattence at the
inane character Of some Of the testimony pre-
sented Only yesterday DR. Desvernenia. wnN
was Rathhore's lawyer in his trial ar Havana.
undertook II demonstrate the u1fairness Of Ger
tain depositiors introduced in the Pathbone
trial. and after dwelling 0n the injustice Of ad-
ritting them uas compelled to admit that IN
the trial he had agreed that the depositions were
proper evidence, and had used considerable
fence This is only one instance Of the weakness
Of The arguments presented Senator Foraker
has conducted the hearings with notable ability
Ray Stannard Baker. who appeared before the
committee Yesterday. ably refuted many Of the
chsrges which have been made against Wood,
and II is known that Secretary Root. Who viii
not be called until All the evidence for the oppo-
sition is in. viii testify thar he has examined all
the charges against Wood in his capacity as
Secretarv. Of War and found none Of them sus-
tained
THE QUESTION OF SENIORITY
Senator Taller has made considerable capita1
out Of the fact that General Wood was promoted
over 4 number Of his seniors. but it is pointed
OUT bv member Of the committee that from
the beginning Of the government the duty Of
selecting brigadier and major generals has de-
volved on The President WIN is entirely At lib
etLy 70 make ms >-41-IlfeIlS from Civil LIH ne
chooses 10 do So and thar II was only the free
operation Of this custom which enabled lincoln
70 select the men who led ths Unicn armies To
Ftctcry Senator TzI=z's -uneerr,ou, rs a.
serted has no value az n argument against the
confirmation cf nomination which the Prest-
dent considers II wise TO make but II is added
that this subject was freely discussed and this
decision reached when President Mckinley sent
70 the Senate the only promotion which ad-
vanced General Wood above certain Of his
seniors
Had not President Ncknlev, said Demo-
cratic member Of the Military Affairs Committee
to-day. selected a thoroughly competent man
for Governor of Cuba the United states would
never have reached point where II could have
reIinduished its hold on the island and surren-
dered to the Cuban government sovereignty
worthy Of the name I for one. viii not be a
party 70 casting reflections on the administra-
ton which SO gracefully lad Us out Of the Cuban
siruatlon.'